The Dead Sea is large, a welcoming deep cool blue to the stark desert. We drove to a little beach set up for enthused tourists to enjoy a 'healing' float in the salty water. A low hot haze prevented us from seeing the horizon, where Jerusalem is situated (apparently seen on clear days). The water was very boyant due to the large amounts of salt, and after a while started to sting a bit. But I enjoyed my 'float' and had the famous photo taken with the newspaper!
On our way to Petra, we stopped off at Mount Nebo - apparently the mountain Moses climbed to die. It was a taste of what was to come later at St Katherines and Mount Sinai - overzealous and religiously enthused Russian orthodox and Brazillians scrambling to get their picture taken next to 'sacred' rocks and bushes.
On our way to Petra, we stopped off at Mount Nebo - apparently the mountain Moses climbed to die. It was a taste of what was to come later at St Katherines and Mount Sinai - overzealous and religiously enthused Russian orthodox and Brazillians scrambling to get their picture taken next to 'sacred' rocks and bushes. 
Petra was incredible. I had no idea what I was seeing before going there, and was blown away! Immense and impacting! The scenery is wonderful, and I discovered some amazing breath-taking views. Surrounded by rocky mountains, Petra is an anicent city, with massive tombs and temples carved into the mountains. There is a deep expansive canyon formed by the splitting of the earth, narrow, twisting and turning, as we walked along the valley floor.I totally exhausted myself, wondering around in the sun, scrambling up mountains for almost 8 hours straight. I think I covered about 25kms. 
A special moment, was after climbing a mountain, finding a 'Bedouin' guy (like a 'squatter') on the top welcoming me into his cave to share a cup of tea. A welcome relief from the intense sun and exhaustion from the climb. I explored all of Petra till sunset, and stumbled back to the hotel afterwards almost fainting from the strenuous day. I think I did suffer a bit of heat exhaustion, as the next few days I was not well! 
We headed further into the Jordan desert to a place called Wadi Rum. A dramatic landscape once again, as large rocky mountains rise straight up out of the red-orange sand. Rippled sand dunes reflect the heat of the sun, rich in colour, an artists delight at sunset! 
We rode in a jeep across the plains, the heat of the sun pounding down upon us, taking in the sights in wonder. We had a typical ‘Bedouin’ camp set up for us that evening, greeted with Bedouin tea and a delicious dinner roasting in a stove set in the ground. We all slept on a large mat with thin but comfortable mattresses. Sleeping under the northern hemisphere stars in the silence of the desert was an unforgettable experience!
A special moment, was after climbing a mountain, finding a 'Bedouin' guy (like a 'squatter') on the top welcoming me into his cave to share a cup of tea. A welcome relief from the intense sun and exhaustion from the climb. I explored all of Petra till sunset, and stumbled back to the hotel afterwards almost fainting from the strenuous day. I think I did suffer a bit of heat exhaustion, as the next few days I was not well! We headed further into the Jordan desert to a place called Wadi Rum. A dramatic landscape once again, as large rocky mountains rise straight up out of the red-orange sand. Rippled sand dunes reflect the heat of the sun, rich in colour, an artists delight at sunset! We rode in a jeep across the plains, the heat of the sun pounding down upon us, taking in the sights in wonder. We had a typical ‘Bedouin’ camp set up for us that evening, greeted with Bedouin tea and a delicious dinner roasting in a stove set in the ground. We all slept on a large mat with thin but comfortable mattresses. Sleeping under the northern hemisphere stars in the silence of the desert was an unforgettable experience!
that last photo looks like a scene straight out of Star Wars!
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