Aqaba, Jordan April 3rd

NOTE:  This is an interactive Blog post.  You will have the opportunity to caption a picture.  Read on

Aqaba is another gateway city to famous places such as the “Lost City 0f Petra” and Wadi Rum (One of Lawrence of Arabia’s hangouts).  Aqaba is the only port in Jordan.  The approximately 28 Kilometers of coast line including Aqaba was given to Jordan by Saudi Arabia.

I choose to spend the day SCUBA diving in the Red Sea.  The water is crystal clear with abundant fish life and coral.  Deep water near shore makes it quick and easy to get to an excellent dive location.  We didn’t have a group from the ship so I joined a group that had been diving all week in the area.  This was their last day and their deep dive profile.  So I jumped in and we dropped to 45 meters (~150 feet).  That is deep for sport diving but a lot of fun.  I haven’t been that deep in 20 years.  Now I have dove the Red Sea from three of the five bordering countries; Jordan (today), Israel, and Egypt (both in 1986).  Just two more to go.

The dive shop and later the dive boat coming in to get us.

We passed this ship loading minerals.  This is what it looks like without an EPA and OSHA.

The water is clear enough for glass bottom boats.  This one is going to pick up passengers.  The buildings in the background are dive and beach centers.  The water under the boat is about 60 feet this close to shore.

An interesting aspect of this part of the world is how close several countries are to each other.  In this picture Egypt is on the left, Israel is in the center, and Aqaba, Jordan is on the right.

From where I stood in Aqaba this hotel is in Egypt and a closer look at Israel.  Saudi Arabia is 19 Kilometers down the road from Aqaba. 

I got back to the ship about 3:30 and set off with Noreen to explore the city.  This Jordanian flag is huge.  The pole is about 100 feet.

A mosque under construction.

We saw graffiti for the first time.  Not sure what it says.

Aqaba is a very modern, well developed city.

This is a new Westin being built.  There are five new major hotels under construction in the city.

However, there are still some more traditional aspects to the city.  This guy was parked outside a restaurant.

How can you say no to such a cutie.

A two seater

We visited some parts of this ancient city.

Ok, some history taken care of it was time for some…..

But the real fun starts with Noreen’s traditional……………………………..Camel ride.

Here is the interactive part.  I need you to send your captions for this picture to our e-mail.  I’ll publish the list for votes.

A recommendation.  Never trust your camel drive to take your picture.

A safe dismount.

And a picture with the new best friends.

And with that our time in Aqaba came to an end.  Send your caption ideas.  Hope you enjoyed the visit.