On the way to Wadi Rum
After the rest day (if you can call it that, since the visit to Petra wasn’t exactly restful) it was time for the queen stage. 92 kilometres separated us from our destination in Wadi Rum, a beautiful desert that has appeared in countless films and that we were going to have the luxury of enjoying; we were even going to sleep on its sands in some comfortable Bedouin tents.
At last we were going to have a whole stage without tarmac: it was all going to be piedres y arena, stones and sand. Needless to say, I was delighted… We set off along a wide, very stony track at over 1,600 metres. We would soon enter the desert. Long tracks, blue sky and, in the distance, the sand. I was thrilled.
Before long we were going to reach a small settlement, where we would have the chance to spend some time with some nomads and enjoy a tea and a good chat in one of their tents. Once again they were going to show us that there’s always time to look after a visitor.
After tea with the nomads we were going to head into the desert. The wind began to blow very hard and, once again, I found myself wishing I had a pair of snow goggles. But I didn’t, so there was nothing for it but to pull a scarf over my face and cover up as much as possible.
Now I understand the headscarves; they’re not a whim. The sand got in everywhere, and making headway was hard.
The queen stage was getting tough. But all that ground that was costing us so much effort was going to return the favour. Shortly afterwards we rode onto the smoothest, firmest and, as it turned out, fastest surface I had ever ridden in my life. The bed of a lake, dry for years, was going to give us this surface. And on top of that, the strong wind was now behind us. You didn’t need to pedal to move; in fact, you had to brake.
And so you can see what I mean, take a look at the video one of my companions shot.
At last we reached Wadi Rum. The scenery was spectacular, and I couldn’t wait for the next stage to ride among les piedres y la arena. But first we were going to enjoy a magnificent dinner, prepared in the most traditional style. A metal container, with embers at the bottom and a stack of trays above, served as the grill. Tightly closed and buried in the sand, this container gave it the exotic touch. Late in the evening we went to dig up our dinner, made up of meat and vegetables. And to be honest, it was sensational, although I admit the exotic touch earns it extra points.
And tomorrow, Wadi Rum and the end of the route.