SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14

0:00 - 0:19
Today's destination is the rose-red city of Petra in Jordan. We'll be returning to Eilat for the night.


0:20 - 0:39
We begin at Eilat.


0:40 - 0:59
We'll be crossing the border to Jordan at the Yitzhak Rabin Border Terminal. Based on my experience, be prepared to walk about 500 yards from your Israel bus to your Jordan bus. You should also now have a Jordanian guide.


1:00 - 1:19
The Jordanian city here on the Gulf and below the rugged mountains is Aqaba. In 1917, Aqaba was attacked and taken from the Ottoman Turks by Arab forces joined by Lawrence of Arabia.
https://youtu.be/lChJz2DSpsE


1:20 - 1:39
The Desert Highway begins by climbing through a steep canyon.


1:40 - 1:59
The Scriptures tell us Moses came to Elath in order to go around the east side of Edom and Moab. The children of Israel had to pass through this chasm. Here we join them on the same path.


2:00 - 2:59
The canyon reaches a "T" -- we'll be turning left and traveling north. If we turned right we would be headed to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. After we turn north we're still in a mountainous canyon that leads to a broad sandy plain.


3:00 - 3:39
Let's take a side trip to the Wadi Rum. This is Lawrence of Arabia country -- both historically and cinematically. Other movies you may be familiar with were made here as well.
https://www.albawaba.com/loop/after-lawrence-6-other-films-starring-jordan%E2%80%99s-wadi-rum-974022

3:40 - 3:59
We return to the Desert Highway where it climbs from the sandy plain to Edom's plateau. We'll take a left turn, leaving the Desert Highway -- Moses' route -- and follow the Bible's King's Highway along the edge of the plateau where Moses was denied passage.


4:00 - 4:39
The highway offers dramatic views across and into the rift of the Arabah.


4:40 - 4:59
We reach Petra. The modern city sits at the top of a descending valley above the ancient site.


5:00 - 5:19
The valley is named Wadi Musa for Moses. Here, it is claimed, Moses struck the rock bringing forth water. In the distance is Mount Aaron, which, it is claimed, is the site of Aaron's death and burial. It's not consistent with the Bible's description.


5:20 - 6:59
You'll be able to hike, ride a horse or a cart to and through the narrow gorge of the Siq to the buildings carved from stone. Here are some views of the topography of the site.


7:00 - 7:20
Back to Eilat