In the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia

This afternoon we left Petra to go to Wadi Rum. This is a large nature reserve in JOrdan where we were to stay in a campsite run by local bedouins. The trip was interspersed with a number of stops to highlight some of the sights. Heading into a landscape of sandy plains with large mountains layered around these flat areas led to Lawrence (of Arabia!)falling in love with this location. He even had his face sculpted in the local stone, had a stone house built and had a spring named after him. He is highly respected in this region. We even saw the seven pillars of wisdom that he used to name his book and the real pillars were very impressive. We spent the next few minutes trying to work out what were the seven intellectual pillars of wisdom... still not sure! The next stop was one that the ancient Nabateans used, as their caravans made their way through the area. They would stop here to refill their water supply & they would write messages on the rocks for the next caravan due to come through. Some of those pictograph messages still remain. The camel drawings were identifiable but personally there could be a debate that they were really dinosaurs! The campsite we are staying in tonight, is made up of several small tents with small beds and hopefully plenty of blankets. It is located close to some large rocks that we cliimbed to sit and watch the sunset. What colours! It is cold at night here and the sky is completely full of stars. In the large central tent a fire burns to welcome us. Dinner was superb in this environment. Lentil soup, salads, rice and chicken cooked with vegetables. Sounds so dull.... but it was very nice. So far we would have to say that food in Jordan is a step above that found in Egypt. And tonight it is followed by chestnuts roasted on the open fire!!!