Djenne is located in the West African country of Mali and is situated on the flood lands of the Niger and Bani rivers. At the end of the wet season, when the rivers have risen, it can result in Djenne becoming an island.
Djenne would have to be on the ‘must see’ towns of Mali (it is on my must see places of Africa), largely for the ‘Great Mosque’ that is made of mud and is the largest mud brick structure in the world. Djenne is a UNESCO Heritage Listed town not only for the mosque but for the fact that it became a market centre and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade.
An ideal day to visit the town is on a Monday when it is market day and the town becomes a bustling, energetic feast for the senses. Cars, buses, people and animals all converge to the market square that is dominated by the mosque to buy and sell their goods.
Petra is an amazing Nabataean archaeological site located south of the capital Amman, in the area known as Wadi Musa. Petra was the capital of the Nabataean civilisation during the 6th century and was registered on the UNESCO world heritage list during 1985.
Petra is a truly amazing place. From my own experience and knowing little about it on arrival, it was my own ‘discovery’. I had no preconceived expectations. I was in awe at what lay before me after reaching the end of the narrow Siq (a narrow gorge, more than 1 kilometre in length and flanked on either side by soaring, 80 metres high red cliffs).
Diary extract – 23 May, 1989
“…started out at 7.30am for the walk from the hotel to Petra. The temperature at that hour was very pleasant. There were a number of horses and donkey’s for the tourists to ride on but we decided to walk to the site of Petra. Part of the way we walked with local girls heading off to school. They were all covered and very curious about our presence at that hour. We began the walk through the mile long Siq, past the most vivid of colours in the gorge walls. The first glimpse of the Treasury as you approached the final leg of the Siq was truly breathtaking. From the Treasury we went up to the Place of Sacrifice. This was a silent, peaceful spot with fabulous views across all of Petra. I could have sat there all day and just gazed at the beauty of the rock colours and distant temples…”
Petra became even more well known in 1989 when Steven Spielberg’s movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was released. The Treasury, together with many other archaeological delights that are carved into the red stone of the area and are very well preserved and warranted the archaeological site being chosen in July 2007 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There are a number of walks throughout the archaeological park and it is advised, to see the park thoroughly, at least 2 days is recommended.
Hurghada is the most accessible location to the Red Sea, situated on the west coast of Egypt. The trip from Cairo to Hurghada by bus takes approximately 7 hours.
It was once a quiet fishing port (as I remember it to be back in the late 80s) but is now a busy tourist destination, with diving and snorkelling being the main attraction.
However, there is also the vast cultural experience of being immersed in the Arabic, muslim and Nubian (local nomads) world. There is of course, also the Egyptian deserts to explore.
One great reason to visit Hurghada is for the reef experience of the Red Sea. The vast marine life that you can snorkel or dive with is truly amazing. You are able to swim through dense schools of fish and if you’re really fortunate, you may even see a sea turtle.
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