Jordan: Rose red cities and desert dunes

Unable to find a mechanic, or the spares we needed to sort out our new brake problems, Stu had to make do with taping a set of mole grips to one of the brake hoses which means that we are running one of the ambulances with only three brakes working and will be forced to do so until we reach Cairo, and the prospect of a degree of civilisation.

 In the meantime we whiled away an incredible afternoon in the famous ruins of Petra, one of the modern wonders of the world (modern in the loosest sense of the term as it is actually over two thousand years old). Lev guided the team through the sandstone marvel that once played host to the filmakers of Indiana Jones and the last crusade. Russell added to the atmosphere by playing the theme tune on loop from his IPhone and Ritchie dressed up to the part in a full linen suit.

We made our way up the valley, passing by the famous treasury building up to the monastary which is perched on a plateau overlooking the valley of moses. As the sun set we were all happily gazing across the crimson landscape when Ritchie decided to break into poetry, reciting Burckhardts evocative lines. Needless to say, it soon got rid of any unwanted Bedouin hawkers…

With yet more hitchikers in tow (Paul from Newcastle and some French girls this time), we descended from the heights into the desert of Southern Jordan- in low gear- to experience some true off roading in the dunes of wadi Rum.

The huge sandy valley surrounded by mountains was once a favourite haunt of Lawrence of Arabia and the scene of one of his most famous train ambushes during the first world war. Now a popular hangout for camel riding tourists, it is still an incredible piece of nature far grander than any of us had seen before.

Finally we arrived in the port city of Aqaba on wednesday where we snapped up the last few tickets on the Egyptian bound ferry (forking out a hefty $950 for the privilidge of avoiding driving through Israel). After much paperwork we managed to grab a couple of hours sleep on the floor of the cafe before disembarking in the scorching heat of Nuweiba on the red sea where we had to endure the worst bureauracracy of the trip so far. It took about 4 hours and another $500 of visas and paperwork before we eventually emerged out of customs and headed south to dahab, a friendly dive resort where the internet actually works!! Next stop Cairo.