Dana Reserve Hikes/Dana Village

Breakfast was interesting this morning. Looks like the ship goes adrift when Tayseer isn’t around. J and N got theirs (the benefits of being in the super-deluxe room) while we got nothing. We eventually got something but then the nice French people sitting behind us had nothing so we gave them some things from our breakfast until theirs turned up.

Certainly couldn’t complain about the amount we eventually got though. Unlike our expensive packed lunch which was decidedly measly. Jan took up the cudgel on behalf of the Fab Four and obtained a 50% discount for us.

Tayseer had recommended that we do the trails that go from the Rummana Campsite, rather than attempt the Dana Trail in the hot sun. The Dana trail is 10 miles which is fine but on arrival at Feynan lodge there is a gruelling 2-3 hour journey back which I’m very glad to have missed.

We did 2 out of the 3 Rummana trails and would have completed the third one but the guy at the visitor centre omitted to tell us it is signposted “The Cave Trail” so we blundered up an unmarked path wondering where on earth the caves were. Still, we saw a baby tortoise so it wasn’t all bad.

The scenery is quite dramatic in its own way – lots of unusual rock formations in many different hues so definitely worth a visit. An added bonus is playing hoopla at the camp where you have to get the hoop on an ibex horn (not a real one obviously).

We stopped off at Dana village. Billed as a “charming Ottoman village” , I think its attractiveness has been somewhat overstated. Mainly rubble with the usual smattering of rubbish, there are a few hotels available at incredibly inflated prices and a couple of grotty cafe/restaurants. The best thing about it is the view across the valley. Apparently the people who own the properties have relocated to a town just up the road which I guess adds to the unloved feeling of the village.

Glad to be home and back in the cocoon of Al Namteh, it was showers all round and a little bit of downtime before evening drinks and dinner. New guests had arrived from Poland, France and Holland – a very international bunch. The Polish group had very hearty appetites and as we were quite hungry ourselves, were a little concerned that all the grub would be scoffed. As it was, Tayseer and his team had prepared plenty and it was all delicious.

After dinner, Tayseer introduced us to his brother and his brother’s friend and again entertained us with his stories and knowledge.

Tomorrow we are going to another wadi. This one is Wadi Ghuweir which is supposed to be one of the more beautiful ones in the area.