Expedition Day 28 The route across Egypt, Suez canal, Sinai peninsula, and Jordan. Crossing over the Egyptian coast near Alexandria. Nearing Cairo, Egypt, air traffic control vectored me to about 25 miles east of the Great pyramids. From there I crossed the Suez Canal and climbed to 13,000 ft for terrain clearance over the Sinai peninsula. The late afternoon turbulence over the mountains of the peninsula made for a very uncomfortable ride. I was very excited to visit the middle east for the first time. I flew past biblical Mount Sinai, crossed over the Red Sea/Gulf of Aqaba, and landed at Aqaba International airport in Jordan. The entire international airport was opened for my sole arrival with hundreds of support staff. I felt overwhelmed with such a turnout. The next day I hired a driver, viewed Wadi Rum from a distance along the King's Highway, and explored Petra. Wild camels grazing along the King's Highway. Wadi Rum shimmering in the desert heat. The ancient city of Petra in Jordan, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. The water channels show above were carved by the Nabataean people around 300 B.C. to collect every drop of moisture running off the canyon walls. My first glimpse of the mythical "Treasury" of Petra. I hiked for hours exploring the gorge, ruins, and the upper reaches of the site. One day was not sufficient to see everything. Tomorrow, I cross the entire Saudi desert from the Red Sea to the Gulf. No Indiana Jones inside the Treasury, but met some friendly camels outside. El Dier ("The Monastery"). The guy was furious that I took the picture without permission, the woman not so much. The interior of one of the Royal tombs carved out of Precambrian igneous rock and sandstone. The properties of the rock itself may have persuaded the Nabataeans to site their city here, as it was evidently suitable for rock carving and excavating.
Brian Eisner
7/20/2018 01:56:21 am
Just amazing how all that was craved out of stone. Sure looks hot and dry there; not surprised you encountered turbulence with all that rising heat and combination of rugged mountains.
MIke W
7/20/2018 03:33:19 am
Nice update. Did ya make a low psss over the runway to clear the camels? Comments are closed.
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