Friday, December 21, 2012

Rihlah 6: Day 2–> Aqaba

 

26 October 2012

Our initial plan for today was exploring Petra but as today is Eid, we decided to stay for Eid prayer and Friday prayer in Aqaba.  As early as 6.15 am, we can start hearing the takbir from the mosque nearby the hotel.  In syaa Allah today, we will be experiencing Eid in the land of Jordan.

We asked the reception on the Eid prayer time to ensure we’ll be on time for the prayer.  At about 7 am, hubby and son when to the mosque.  I didn’t follow since was uncertain whether women go to the mosque for the prayer in Jordan.  I surely wouldn’t want to miss if i were in my home country.

We can hear clearly the takbir from our room but it sure is nothing like in Malaysia.  The takbir here is more energetic,no melancholy like in country.  When hubby reach the mosque, there we a group of people sitting in a circle who recite the takbir. The rest of the jemaah were sitting in the saff.  No one were wearing any traditional  costume or looking bright in new cloth.  It is just like a day to day dressing.  Nothing compare to Malaysian where everyone in colourful traditional clothes.   Maybe other parts of Jordan is different as Aqaba seems very modern.  At about 7.15 am, the prayer starts.  Still is early for us Malaysian.

Experiencing the Eid here..what we can say….nothing compares to the feeling at home.

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Mosque near Tulip Inn for Eid Prayer..

After Friday prayer, we decided to get a bigger glimpse of Aqaba and if we got the chance,maybe try on the neptune submarine boat which you could watch the corals underwater.  The red sea sure is beautiful even watching it from our car.We are not sure the specific location of the neptune as in its pamplet, it only says in Tala bay.  We drove to Tala Bay Marine back and park our car there.  There were quite a big crowd at the seaside. We walk in to a building nearby hoping to find the ticket counter somewhere there.  unfortunately, it was only a shell museum and a showroom.  Hubby ask around and alhamdulillah, the guy there willing to help calling for the neptune. Unfortunately again, the last boat was at 2 pm and it is already full. The kids were quite frustrated since the pictures of the neptune ride really looks tempting.  As we were already there, we just continue wandering around the museum and watch the show.  Interesting knowledge…actually. 

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By the beach along the coast just giving some peak o what’s around….

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At Tala beach….

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Inside the shell museum…

We continue our evening heading for Petra as we already book a hotel there in Wadi Musa.  On the way to Petra we decided to stop by at Wadi Rum to get info on the packages and entrance though we knew some bits already from the net to decide whether we should explore Wadi Rum or not.

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At Wadi Rum visitor centre…..

The few kilometres heading for Wadi Rum was beautiful already.  We sure inside the area is better than what we’ve seen outskirt of the area.   Once we at the tourist center, we knew we must explore Wadi Rum. The gigantic and unique mountain looks is convincing enough to extend another day in Jordan for Wadi Rum. Not to worried, surely someone will approach you offering packages for Wadi Rum exploration.

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Beautiful sunset on our way back from Wadi Rum to Petra….

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One of the few convenient stall by the roadside like a RnR stall…

In syaa Allah, we will be coming back here after our two days stay in Petra.  The evening will turn to night very soon. We will proceed our journey to Wadi Musa in Petra.  It was an unexpected temperature when we reach there. Luckily, we bring along our sweaters.  Alhamdulillah,the room was worth the money paid..(except the part of climbing the stairs as we were at the 4th floor Smile).  A good way of exercising preparing ourselves for the walking and hiking tomorrow.  Petra…a stone city of more than 2000 years that awaiting to be learned. –tw&