Jordan off the beaten track, part 2

After Shobak castle, the next stop was Dana Nature Reserve. Here at least they were set up to sell tickets, though it took me a while to find someone who could come to the reception office to issue me one. I didn't run into a single other tourist for at least 2 hours...


The hiking trail here led down into an expansive valley. The path was not technical by any means, but steeply graded. Coming back out of the valley (after a nice peaceful lunch on the dry river bed) was the physically demanding aspect of the day. At one point I stopped to catch my breath, drink some water, and let the wind and sun carry away some of the sweat.


Standing still in a place like Dana allows it to tell you some its stories. A flock of birds sang and twisted through the air above. Deep down in one of the crevices, echoes of a shepherd's singing and shouting intermingled with the din from his animals.


Suddenly, the sound of air being cut caught my attention. I turned my head in time to see a falcon flitting by, streaking down the valley face. As quickly as it appeared, it was over a lip and away. The aerial disturbance caused by its dive soon dissipated and was soaked up by the vastness. Only a moment in the tapestry of secret memories these cliffs must retain...