Peter's Post: Walking in Petra

17 September 2011 - 10:11 By Peter Malherbe
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A visit to Petra requires some physical fitness Picture: GALLO IMAGES/THINKSTOCK PHOTOS
A visit to Petra requires some physical fitness Picture: GALLO IMAGES/THINKSTOCK PHOTOS

Our travel expert answers queries on routes and destinations around the world. This week: visiting Petra, deep-sea fishing off Malaysia and Dubai airport hotels

My 71-year-old mother has set her heart on visiting Petra in Jordan. She leads an active lifestyle, but I am worried that it may prove too strenuous for her. How much walking would be involved? - Fiona Hinton

A visit to Petra usually involves a great deal of walking, but this is not the only way to see this historic city carved into the rock. Although motorised vehicles are not allowed to enter the site, you can hire a horse or horse-drawn carriage to take you through the Siq, a 1km gorge flanked by 80m-high cliffs. Elderly or handicapped visitors can get a permit at the visitors' centre, which will allow the carriage to go inside Petra to visit the main attractions. Once inside the site, you can hire a donkey or camel - both come with handlers and follow designated routes throughout the site.

Be sure to see the treasury, the Nabataean king's tomb and the theatre. I am sure your mother would enjoy visiting the two museums: the Petra Archaeological Museum and the Petra Nabataean Museum. However, I don't think she should attempt the monastery as this involves a hike along a path with at least 800 steps and loose rocks. For more information, go to the Petra Park website.

DEEP-SEA SEARCHING

My husband wants to go deep-sea fishing on the East coast of Malaysia. What would the best area be? - Janny Humphreys

The best place for deep-sea fishing on the east coast of Malaysia is near the islands of Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil and Tioman in the South China Sea. Most boats headed for these waters depart from Mersing town on the Malaysian peninsular. The ferry to Tioman takes around 90 minutes, while fishing boats from Mersing to Aur and Pemanggil take approximately six hours. You can hire a boat in Mersing or join other trips. The best way to find out about these is through travel agents or the resorts. Mersing is a six-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. A resort worth considering is Fishing Bay Resort in Mersing, which offers deep-sea fishing. If you don't mind staying on the islands, you could try Lanting Beach Resort on Pulau Pemanggil. You could also fly from Kuala Lumpur to Tioman Island, where there are a number of resorts to choose from.

ROOMS NEAR THE RUNWAY

For a stopover in Dubai in December, I need a hotel at or close to the airport, for less than $100. -Simone Anderson

The most convenient would be the five-star Dubai International Terminal Hotel, inside the airport building, though rooms are around $190 (www.booking.com). The Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport, located opposite terminal three, has rates around $94, which includes breakfast and there is a free shuttle service (www.asiarooms.com). If you can't get a room there, try the Premier Inn Dubai International Airport. It is less than 2km from the airport and has free wi-fi. The best rate I could find was $125 (www.hotels.com).

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