48 hrs in Petra, now to Wadi Rum

We've had a very satisfying 48 hours in Petra: arriving Wednesday, leaving Good Friday. Today most of us stayed by the pool at the hotel, till the coach comes to take us for a jeep tour, and overnight stay at the "Lawrence Spring" desert camp in Wadi Rum, two hours south from here.

Over the last three days we have walked down the Siq, seen the ancient rock carved tombs of the mysterious Nabatean civilization. Many have ridden camels and / or donkeys. Some have climbed high to the Monastery and other high places. Five took the long walk to Jabal H'Aaroun (Aaron's Mountain): to a place which has been venerated for the best part of three thousand years as the final resting place of Aaron, brother of Moses. Here's a pic of Will on top of the world!

The accommodation at the Taybet Zaman hotel, a fifteen minute drive from Petra, has been outstanding. A conversion of an abandoned 200 year old village, retaining most of the original dwellings, thus spreading the accomodation out on a single story plan across a stretch of hillside in a way which is beautiful, idyllic and peaceful. As for the food ... well!

So satisfaction levels are high. Some of us have got very tired from all the adventuring. We are all ready, although perhaps a little uncertain about the unknown of the desert, and the race, tomorrow back across the border to Israel, Jerusalem and Bethlehem.