Known as the "Rose-Red City", Petra gets its name from the wonderful colours of the rock from which most of the city's structures are carved. The Nabataens (whose empire from 1st century BC grew rich through trade in frankincense and myrrh) buried their dead in intricate tombs that were cut out of the mountain sides. In addition the city had temples, a theatre and later with Roman and Byzantian influence also a colannaded street and even churches!
Referred to in the Bible as Edomites, the Nabataens controlled the spice and incense trade from Arabia to Mesopotamia. Amazing to see their efficient water storage techniques - including underground cisterns - and the ability to divert flash floods.
Entering the original entryway into the Siq (or gateway) you could just imagine the old caravans of camels loaded with produce for trading arriving and leaving Petra. Walking through the Siq (1.2kms) - a towering narrow gorge - which opens up to the stunning ruin called the Treasury was extremely dramatic.
And then seeing more and more monumental tombs with their detailed facades and keeping on reminding ourselves that they are all carved directly into rock was quite mindblowing.
On the first day we took a "free" horse (1JD tip each) about 1km from the entrance gate to the Siq and then walked the rest of the way. We then hired a donkey each to take us to a place called the monastry - about a 3km ride up a moutain about 800 + steps. What an experience!! Going up wasn't too bad - tho' Ben slipped sideways off his donkey and had to get off and have his saddle fixed up!! Wish I had been behind him to take a photo!! But coming back downt the steps was a different story... oh my goodness - I had to stop myself from squealing.... Ramesh squealed and giggled all the way down!
Donkeys are such sure-footed creatures ... I have a totally new respect for these braying beasts of burden now!!
We did a bit more wandering around and got back to the hostel tired, sore but satisfied.
Today we went back and did our sightseeing minus the assistance of all beasts of burden!!
Visited the high place of sacrifice where animals were sacrificed by this ancient culture. What amazing views. It was really windy and I was almost on all fours going up the last bit as I felt I was going to be blown off the edge. Heading up there - the boys raced ahead and climbed to the top in 12 minutes while Ben and I took 35 minutes!
Today, we walked about 7kms in total which took us about 6 hours - lots and lots of puffing and panting up 100s of steps and down 100s of steps as well as stopping to drink in the scenery! Am quickly posting this before I go have a shower and jump into bed and rest my weary limbs!!
Tomorrow we head up the King's Highway to have a look at a couple of castles. We will also get onto the Dead Sea Highway and have a dip in the Dead Sea before heading to Amman airport. Have hired a local taxi guy who seems to know what he's talking about. So more fun and games!
sucked in to riding a horse upto the Siq
walking the 2km long Siq (a natural sandstone gorge that leads to the magnificent Treasury
Our first glimpse of the Treasury - WOW!!
just STUNNING! Remembering why this has been on my bucket list for so long!
walking the Street of Facades - which is lined with tall, impressive tombs, with large facades or false faces on their fronts. This street eventually leads us down into the heart of the city proper.
Look! It's Johnny Depp from the Pirates of the Caribbean! :)
On our donkeys and off to the Monastry
the beautiful Monastry
The bright colours through the sandstone - the colours glow when the sun starts going down.
A view of modern Petra at sunset
Sanjay gets up close and personal with a sleepy camel :)
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