Aqaba, Jordan (and I did not go to see Petra)

Island Princess in port

I went against the grain and did NOT go to the lost city of Petra. Yes, I know, afterwards, I was jealous of everyone's pictures and kicking myself for not going. But in my defense, from what I’d read it seemed like a hot dusty trek through the desert to the city and back. I didn’t think my knees or my fair Irish skin could take it. And there were rumored to be a thousand people from the ship going – too crowded for me. Inshallah (if Allah wills it) I will come back to see Petra.

Beautiful beaches with excellent snorkeling

I opted instead to go to Wadi Rum, or The Valley of the Moon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. But our first stop was at The Arab Revolt Plaza, the site of one of the largest flagpoles in the world which commemorates the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in 1917. The Jordanian flag seemed to be flying in slow motion it was so large. Nearby was Aqaba Fort, originally constructed by the Crusaders in the 13th century, then enlarged in 1587.

it doesn't look that big in this picture, but the flagpole is actually quite far away from the fort

Aqaba Fort

Writing at the entrance to the fort

one of the rooms at the fort
Wadi Rum is a protected desert reserve that has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is now home to the Bedouin. T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, set up camp in Wadi Rum, led an Arab revolt against the city, and won. In addition to Lawrence of Arabia with Peter O’Toole, The Martian with Matt Damon was filmed there. I thought it looked familiar!

The desert of Wadi Rum stretches over 182 acres on the edge of massive mountains whose 1,000-foot ridges have been worn smooth by the desert winds. If the landscape was fascinating in Oman, the mountains here mesmerized me. I could not stop looking at them.

They are so colorful because of the enormous mineral deposits found there – iron, sulfur, and something that makes it look pink. We arrived at Captain’s Camp, a Bedouin camp where we were treated to a traditional lunch. I was happy to see that as it was the start of Ramadan, the holy time for Muslims who fast from sunrise to sunset. No food or drink - even water; they can’t even inhale the smell of food until sundown.

Delicious Bedouin lunch. I tried the pink thing because it was pretty. It was something pickled and tasted like salt.

Bedouin camp where we had lunch

The food looked so good – there had to be 15 different salads, stewed potatoes, grilled chicken and lamb, and some delicious thing that was like a quesadilla with a meat filling instead of cheese that was grilled on the fire. I got the instructions on how to make it but I don’t know what it’s called.

I made some more friends. The two-toned guy smacked my hand when I tried to feed him to get me to drop the piece of food. He looked so cute and cuddly before that, then SMACK out of nowhere. I was going to drop it, dude, chill! This second baby was much sweeter but I think was faking a limp for sympathy.

I shall name you Grumpy Cat

And you shall be Gimpy

We got back to the ship way before all aboard so I took the shuttle bus into town to seek out a pharmacy. My allergies were really acting up or I was coming down with a cold and the Benadryl wasn’t cutting it. I easily found a place and the young lady behind the counter sold me Claratin, cough suppressant, and vitamins/immune boosters. As she was writing the dosage instructions on the packages for me, and she wrote them in Arabic. She smacked her head and said, “I’m fasting and my brain isn’t working”. I gave her my sympathy and wished her a Ramadan Kareem and went on my way.

I wandered around a bit. The souvenir shops were open, but due to it being Friday AND Ramadan, the streets were practically empty and many stores and restaurants were closed. McDonald’s was open and I was tempted to go in and see what’s what, but I didn’t want to offend anyone and I wasn’t really hungry, so I made my way back to the ship. I dosed up with my new meds, took a long, cool shower and went to bed early, and woke up a brand-new person, ready for line dancing!