Sunday- Jerusalem to Petra

We were up bright and early for our journey to Petra. First off we are in Jerusalem and need to catch our flight to Eilat in Tel Aviv.  It is about an hour drive to Tel Aviv but it is a work day so we have to allow for traffic.  As I write a high speed train is being built to transports folks between to the 2 cities and Ben Gurion Airport.  We are going to a small regional airport for our hour flight to Eilat.
From Eilat we are met by another Israeli driver and guide to drive us to the Jordanian border, known as Arava Border Crossing.

I wish I could show some photos but it was forbidden!!! There are land mines in the no-mans zone, so, no photos. Lots of barb-wire and completely desolate as you walk across to the other side. 
As we arrive, the customs area is comprised of wooden buildings and many areas to go through- really very old fashioned.  After completing our forms we now meet our Jordanian guide and a Toyota van. Far cry from our Mercedes Luxury coach. We are now crammed in and off we go to  Wadi Rum, this is the site of the filming of "Lawerence of Arabia" and recently, "The Martian.", The area is also known as The Valley of the Moon.  It is here that T.E. Lawerence passed through during the Arab Revolt of 1917-18 and this is where the Seven Pillars of Wisdom was penned in Lawerence's book.

Before our walk to the rock formations we had lunch at the outpost.
A typical Bedouin-lunch but no in a tent. Stone tables and plastic chairs!!

After Wadi Rum we are off to Petra which is about another 2 hours away with a stop in the mountains to have a view.  Thank goodness we did, as the next day was a sandstorm and you couldn't see a thing.  The Valley is absolutely breathtaking and we finally arrive at the Movenpick, Petra.  The hotel is right outside the gates of going into Petra so it is a walking day for us. After another buffet dinner we are off to bed for an early morning tour of Petra- walking, then back into the Toyota van to Eilat and the border crossing.  This is also where Avi and the the Mercedes meet us to drive us to tel Aviv because the sandstorm closed the airports- so drive we must.  We did miss Avi and the Mercedes.  

Writing amongst the pillars

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Nabatean City of Petra is situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea and it was important crossroad between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phonencia. The most spectacular sight is coming through the rock formation and seeing the Treasury which is the most famous archaeological site where ancient eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.
As you round the corner from the Treasury  you come upon the amphitheater and the dwelling of the Bedouins.They still live there up in the hills and run the concessions and the selling of wares, also the camel rides, donkey rides and horse rides, plus buggy rides.

Mohammed 10, our driver- forty dinars to get a ride- 50 dinars to get off!!!

The Treasury

The view from the hills

On the ride back to Eilat- Goat herders crossing the main highway.
This is wild, the goat herder has a cell phone!

After our border crossing we are now on the ride to Tel Aviv.  This is about 4-to 5 hours.  We are going through the Negev desert in southern Israel and it's largest city is Beersheba and it ends at Eilat and the city of Aqaba.  This is also an area where there is a lot of growing of fruits and vegetables and it is also the largest of   Israel's land mass.

This day is the day of transportation. From Petra to Tel Aviv.  Mary ralph and Charlie had a flight to the states this evening.
Leslie, Jack and myself spent the night at the Norman for our next day flights. The only mode of transport we did not take that day was a boat nor a train.