AIDA Red Sea 2013 · Page 2

The next morning we were moored at the pier. As we had booked the excursion to the rock city of Petra, we had to get up very early, have breakfast (available from 5.30 a.m.) and gather at the exit with warm clothes! When we were told to bring warm winter jackets, we first smiled – Egypt was about 26 degrees, and we had only travelled 250 km north. What did we find? It was bitterly cold: 5 degrees and rain.

The buses were ready to leave, and the German-speaking guide welcomed us warmly. The big surprise came on the drive to the rock city: packed snow on the roads. You think it's always summer in the Middle East, and then you're proved wrong. After only 2 hours by bus we reached the city of Petra, at an altitude between 850 and 1,300 metres. The rock city lies hidden and well protected between rock walls.

An ingenious water system secured the water supply even back then. We reached the rock city via a narrow path (about 1.5 kilometres long).

After finishing our visit and having lunch at the Petra Palace, we returned to the ship in the early afternoon.