Last year, I took the tour to Petra, and was going to the same this year, now being much more recovered from the heart surgery of 2017. I had recovered well over the intervening year and was now planning to achieve more, as well as revisit this incredible “lost city”. However, Graham’s port lecture discouraged me somewhat, and I did wish to see Wadi Rum which my neighbour Roger had visited and recommended I should see, even if not able to go further than the “coach stop”. This was an excellent recommendation. The tour took us to the ancient recently discovered ruins of Ayla, and around the City before venturing into the vegetation free mountains, the like of which I have to see elsewhere. Eventually, we arrived at an unexpected location, Wadi Rum railway station, complete with steam locomotive at the head of what I presume is a representation of Lawrence of Arabia’s train. The Vista of unique rock formations can only be described in my modest photographs.
The pictures for Day 60, if they appear in the correct order begin with, right at the beginning, a) Fresh fish at a restaurant where we would dine in the evening, b) Views from the ship at Aqaba. c) We move to recently excavated ruins at Ayla, then to the Railway Station at Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum itself and finally QM2 after dark.
A sunset dinner cruise booked for the evening was cancelled due to higher than usual winds and thus, turbulent waters. I was, however, very pleased to receive an invitation to join table companion, Virginia, to look around Aqaba independently. We took the shuttle bus. As soon as we stepped from the bus, a taxi driver appeared from nowhere offering a comprehensive tour of Aqaba. We accepted! The price, negotiated, was most acceptable. We were shown around Aqaba, most of it, including the rather poor areas where children played in the streets, and greeted us, generally with with a “well brought up courteous enthusiasm” which was delightful. Virginia was somewhat in need of food having eaten very little during the day. (I was still replete from a buffet lunch at Wadi Rum). The taxi man took us to an excellent fish restaurant where we chose our fish from a freshly caught catch. This was prepared and presented in a way worthy of photographing, a meal we both thought was wonderful and which we enjoyed greatly. So far, this was a fine substitute for the cancelled dinner cruise. The restaurant arranged WiFi for both our phones, and my friend took the opportunity to reply to her daughter’s e-mail. Eventually, we declined a persistent invitation to meet the taxi driver’s family; and, as we would ascertain later, the meter was still ticking! The one hour trip morphed into something perhaps three times as long, and the fare, adjusted accordingly. I don’t know about Virginia, but I did grimace momentarily! It was a great evening however, especially with the unlikelyhood of ever returning, very much as I would like, very much to.
We joined our table as they dined and we watched and talked! I then went for a long deck walk with Nick and we nattered until the early hours over a disgusting drink of taste acquiring Horlicks!
I am beginning to feel the benefit of recovering from the strenuous but exhilarating overland travel prior to embarkation at Dubai. All of that seems an age ago as there are now less than two weeks to go of my multi itinerary world tour.
These blogs cannot be published when written because of poor internet connections in this area.
Enjoy! David.
David's Cruise 