Again, with no map, I am planning my day down to Petra. I decide to drive by the Dead Sea, so pull off the highway following the well marked signs. Double carriageway again, with little traffic.
Somewhere after I go below sea level (no photo there as there was a checkpoint) I go through a construction zone. Shortly after I am pulled over. I think it was for speeding through the construction zone. But, I do not speak arabic, the young police officer doesn’t speak english, and he decides to wave me on before his partner gets out of the police truck.
A couple more police checkpoints later (only one of which I show my passport) I am at the Dead Sea. And it is dead. No one around, no real access to the water itself :\ The only places with access are the resorts, all lined up together in a zone. It is all built up for tourists, but with no buildings, or tourists!
I drive through a few more checkpoints to a roadway away from the sea and make it to Al Karak. Now, I know I am on the right road south to Petra, but I can’t be sure, so I turn around. When I look at the map, I see I was actually going the right way *sigh*
I eventually make it back to the main north-south highway, which is an efficient, if boring, way to Petra.
I realize how much I am traveling in splendid isolation when I check into the Petra Marriott. Splendid views, about 3km out and above Petra. This is not useful for my tendency to be shy and a bit of a loner — something not to repeat when I come back!
Tomorrow is a full day at Petra!
