View Larger Map
After spending the day at Wadi Rum, we were at the beach in Aqaba looking across the "swimming pool" of the Gulf of Aqaba at the Israeli port of Eilat (where we were to take a flight to Tel Aviv later in the evening).
Since Israeli coast on the Gulf is only 12 km long, we could also see Egypt (not seen in pic) in the distance. On this side, Saudi Arabia is a mere 40 km. or so from Aqaba.
We also did get close to the 2nd tallest free standing flagpole in the world (having lost top spot to Turkmenistan in 2008). On closer look, the flag was missing the "star in the red triangle" which is the Jordanian flag. We learnt from one of the boat operators that this is the flag of the Arab Revolt (1916-1918). Which is a great conclusion to the day since we spent it at Wadi Rum visiting several sites associated with TE Lawrence and the Arab Revolt.
It was a deserted border crossing with just a small group of people. Our tour agent on the Jordan side walked with us till the exit talking on the cellphone to his Israeli counterpart who was waiting on the other side to pick us up.
Goodbye to Jordan and Welcome to Israel
On re-entering Israel from Aqaba, Jordan via the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing, we noticed the images of friendship posted on the walls as our bags were put through the X-Ray machines by the Israeli authorities.
First, this handshake between Rabin and Hussein applauded by Clinton in Aqaba.
Then this even more impressive gesture of Hussein lighting Rabin's cigarette at the Aqaba palace.
But there was this sobering reminder of belligerence with this flashback to 1967 in Jerusalem's Old City with the same Rabin (extreme right, with Dayan in the middle with his distinctive eye patch). This was taken during the Six Day War when Israel took control of East Jerusalem.
The border crossing was as smooth as waltzing through a supermarket aisle thanks to the tour agents on both sides (and of course, the above mentioned heads of state).
The questioning by the woman at the Israeli immigration counter was curious. I was asked my religion and I could not help but say "I guess you could say Hindu" which was totally unsatisfactory to her, of course. I was wondering if I should say "I am a Bright", but figured that this would only result in a needless delay, so I just said firmly "Hindu!". This satisfied her and she stamped the passport and waved me on.
As promised, the Israeli counterpart agent picked us up in her Jeep talking on the cellphone to her Jordanian counterpart to confirm the successful exchange. She then discussed plans for further exchanges for the day and the next and signed off with "Insha'Allah, of course!". What politics and diplomacy can only dream of achieving, business does easily.
A few minutes later, we were in Eilat and looking across the Red Sea at Aqaba and its gigantic flagpole. Click on any of the images to view full size.
