And so we start our three day hike with a Bedouin guide, Sulaman. Down to the Wadi from Dana to a camp at Feynan then onto Ras El faidh continuing to the outskirts of Petra.
Temps were 27 to 30C so challenging to say the least. Countryside very rough and bone dry. Wide range of herb scrub...thyme, wormwood, juniper which our guide explained the use of by the Bedouin. Even a plant called goat shampoo used to treat lice. We walked near the family camp and had tea with his mother...sugar boiled over the fire then tea leaves added with water and boiled some more. An acquired taste.
Wadi otherwise known as a valley. We started at the top and walked through to the other end then turned left.
Donkeys are used for stock and general cartage
Sulaman very keen on tea stops also for prayer 3
times a day.
Tended to follow Bedouin trails or herding paths or good old fashioned clamoring
And in amongst this desperate landscape autumn crocus appear.
Sulaman's cousin appeared to set the camp and cook vegetarian for us much to their dismay as goat meat a favorite
We slept in the pup tent while our Bedouin guide slept on bedrolls outside. Grateful for the privacy.
Bedouin trim the branches for tent poles and their goats nibble any foliage hence near barren landscape. Also two very dry years
We and climbed up from behind the escarpment in the centre to the walk across the front
Goats walking home when they get thirsty as no water source here. Either a donkey or a dog ...to protect the kids....run with them
Phew after 45km we were elated to have endured the heat, climbing, hiking together. Learnt so much from our guide over the three days and saw astoundingly raw countryside.
No comments:
Post a Comment