Petra, Jordan

Petra...the “Lost City”.....the “Pink City”.....and now one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World, is where we explored today.
We arrived into Aqaba, Jordan at around 6am and were in the bus for the two hour journey to Petra by 7.30am.  We had breakfast delivered to our suite this morning as we knew we were in for a long day.
The journey to Petra took us past the giant mountains with their rivers of granite caused from lava flow thousands of years ago.

We passed, but didn’t stop at, Wadi Rum with its mystical spherical mountains and hills that are quite beautiful.

Further on were the Bedouin Camps with rocky fields of oats that are grown both for food and fodder Everything is done by hand both the planting and harvesting. We passed many of the Bedouins tending their herds of goats or sheep. From what I could see it is mainly the women that attend to this job.

After climbing higher and higher into the hauntingly beautiful souring mountains we reached the town of Petra, population about 160,000. As we alighted from the bus we were pleased that we had been told that the temperature would reach a maximum of 17 degrees Celsius and thankful that we had taken some warm clothing.
We quickly alighted from the bus, anxious to explore what lay ahead of us.  We walked through a small market and then through the gates welcoming us to Petra.  The walk to “The Siq” or entrance, was all downhill, and I mentally noted this. Even before we reached the Siq we passed numerous carvings in the rock walls.  Our guide was very good and explained the meaning of them to us.  I must admit that I get so carried away taking photos that I have to rely on Philip’s good memory to explain it all back to me.
Words leave me as I try to describe what is is like to walk through the narrow walk that is flanked on either side by the cliffs that sour almost 100 metres.  There is so much colour in the walls of these towering rocks but predominately pink hues. In places the cliff faces almost join and it is easy to see why it was hidden for so many years.

 It is almost a two kilometre walk before you catch the first glimpse through the rocks of The Treasury and then every ones pace quickens as we are anxious to see it in its full glory and what a sight it is. It is incredibly well preserved. You have to remember that is really only a facade because once inside it is a single room (you are not allowed inside) that was probably a tomb.  There are many camels, donkeys and horse drawn carriages, all used to transport the tourists that can’t make the walk, and you have to be extremely careful to listen to the sound of these as you walk around because you have to move out of their way and not the other way around!

Those that wanted, including us, continued on the walk taking in the elaborate carvings that were all around us.  We stopped at the Amphitheatre and opposite that, set very high was the Royal Tombs.

 Our guide left us to our own at this point.  We had the choice of going on to the Monastery (900 steps and 2 kilometres) or visiting the Royal Tomb that we elected to do and were very happy that we had chosen this  as the views over Petra from this high point were stunning. Inside the tombs the colour exploded all around us.  The ceiling in particular was a kaleidoscope of colour. We stayed at the top as long as time would allow us which wasn't long enough.

We made our way back down the mountain to the path that would lead us back to the main entrance.
At The Treasury we decided to take the horse drawn carriage as time was running out to get back to our bus.  I’m glad we did, because.... remember, it was all uphill!

A little history lesson for you.  It is believed that Petra was built around 400 BC but archaeologists are still trying to establish this.  It lay abandoned until the 1800’s when a European explorer, disguised as a Bedouin, discovered it. It has survived numerous earthquakes and it is believed that 85% of it is still to be excavated. This is a place that I would return to in a heartbeat to explore in depth the wonders of Petra.