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We've all heard of Petra but did you know that it was established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and has been a World Heritage Site since 1985. We spent most of the day at Petra and all we can say is wow!It's funny how we both felt quite emotional when we finally got to see the Treasury as we have both seen so many pictures of that most amazing facade and suddenly we were there - fantastic!When you're just around the corner from the Treasury (but don't know you are), all the tour guides make a point of telling you to go to the left of the gorge to feel how cool the rock is...only for you to look forward and discover that magical view of the most famous rock dwelling in the world peering at you through the crack in the rock faces.What a wonderful place!We drove in the afternoon to our desert camp for the night, Jabal Rum, a tented tourist retreat in the middle of the desert of Wadi Rum. We were the first to arrive so I took the opportunity to go for a 4-mile run.When I got back the camp had been invaded by hundreds of French - the Revolution all over again. We were treated to lamb, baked in an earth oven, for dinner, followed by traditional dancing and song.Then, for reasons more mysterious than both dark matter and the Higgs Boson, a French couple were dressed in traditional Bedouin clothes then paraded around the camp.Then, something that can only rank up there with God and the origins of the Universe, the French tourists started taking pictures of the French tourists!!
Our tent, Number 1, which consisted of 3 single beds, 6 blankets, sheets etc and a light bulb, was located slap bang next to the toilet/shower block.We wanted to move but they could only offer us a 2-bed tent instead so we decided to stay put...to our cost!At 0517, I was awoken by a French chap, jabbering away at 10,000 decibels as he performed his morning rituals. Then it was a constant barrage of dragging feet on sand, incessant 'bonjours, dormi biens and tout alors' as the French got ready for their assault on the Dead Sea.As far as I'm concerned they can all tout alors back to bed!!!
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