We went through Israeli immigration and then on to the Jordanian side.
There we met our guide Ramzi. There were 14 in our group and we boarded a luxury motor coach with other folks. Then we started our drive to Petra. First we drove through Aquaba and then on the only four lane highway in Jordan. We passed Bedouin villages, tents and shepherds with their flocks of sheep and goats grazing.
Along the way we passed mountains of all colors. They call them chocolate because of the dark veins of lava running through. Off to the right we could see some strange rock formations and found out this is Wadi Rum where we will tour tomorrow.
We stopped for a break in a store that reminded us of Mexico and they had free bathrooms, but no toilet paper. Luckily we are well prepared for that emergency. The trip to Petra took over two hours and we got there and parked. Ramzi led us to the visitor reception area and gave us tickets.
We saw many horses and donkey carts carrying tourists. Our group walked with Ramzi to the beginning of the Siq. Nothing could have prepared me for this experience. Just the walk would be enough to satisfy anyone, but the treat at the end is mind blowing.
We saw many horses and donkey carts carrying tourists. Our group walked with Ramzi to the beginning of the Siq. Nothing could have prepared me for this experience. Just the walk would be enough to satisfy anyone, but the treat at the end is mind blowing.
The Siq is a one kilometer downhill walk. It is an alley formed by erosion with incredible rock formations. The Nabateans discovered this area about 600 BCE. They carved many tombs in the Greek and Roman style. Along the way we dodged horses and donkey carts in the narrow passageway. We walked on some of the original cobblestones and some areas have been paved to make walking easier for the tourists. In the 1980's this became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Everywhere you looked was an incredible formation of carving and later the remains of a huge sculpture depicting a camel caravan.
The walkway began to narrow and finally we came to a turn where we could see light through a crack ahead of us. There were smooth columns and we walked out into a huge plaza with The Treasury in front of us. Words cannot describe the beauty of this building carved into the mountain. The columns, sculptures and the whole thing is awesome. We took some photos and Ramzi gave us some history and then we walked downhill to explore the rest of this ancient city.
There is a bazaar, temples, colonnaded market, a monastery and the high place. Many of the buildings are tombs including The Treasury. I should mention the lovely people we met on the bus. A wonderful French gal, a guy from Holland, people from Denmark, Israel, the US and more. Such a melting pot.
The walkway began to narrow and finally we came to a turn where we could see light through a crack ahead of us. There were smooth columns and we walked out into a huge plaza with The Treasury in front of us. Words cannot describe the beauty of this building carved into the mountain. The columns, sculptures and the whole thing is awesome. We took some photos and Ramzi gave us some history and then we walked downhill to explore the rest of this ancient city.
Finally Jeff said he would walk no more so I went to the high place which involved lots of stone steps and a view of the lower valley.
Coming back we decided to use camels to take us uphill to the plaza in front of The Treasury. OMG! Such strange creatures and a really bumpy ride. First we had to bargain with the handler and then get seated on the kneeling beasts.
Then they stood and they are really tall so you are up really high. I had to hang on for dear life as we were on blankets with no stirrups. We did a lot of laughing and tried to take pictures of each other while riding.
Finally we reached our destination and the handler took some photos of us. Then came the ordeal of the camel kneeling and getting off.
We took some more photos in from of The Treasury and then hired a donkey cart to take us back through the Siq. What an incredible experience!
Coming back we decided to use camels to take us uphill to the plaza in front of The Treasury. OMG! Such strange creatures and a really bumpy ride. First we had to bargain with the handler and then get seated on the kneeling beasts.
Then they stood and they are really tall so you are up really high. I had to hang on for dear life as we were on blankets with no stirrups. We did a lot of laughing and tried to take pictures of each other while riding.
Finally we reached our destination and the handler took some photos of us. Then came the ordeal of the camel kneeling and getting off.
We took some more photos in from of The Treasury and then hired a donkey cart to take us back through the Siq. What an incredible experience!
Back not the bus everyone was exhilarated and we stopped for lunch at about 4:00 pm. Ramzi took us to a lovely restaurant with a lavish buffet.there were several buses of tourists there.
After we ate we headed back towards Eilat. Now a few people were staying overnight in Petra so they could revisit in the evening and tomorrow. We were heading to a Bedouin camp for the night and one other woman was staying in Aquaba. So we rode and Jeff and I both fell asleep. When we got back to the Wadi Rum area Ramzi stopped the bus and said we had a ride to the camp for our overnight. The beginning of another adventure
After we ate we headed back towards Eilat. Now a few people were staying overnight in Petra so they could revisit in the evening and tomorrow. We were heading to a Bedouin camp for the night and one other woman was staying in Aquaba. So we rode and Jeff and I both fell asleep. When we got back to the Wadi Rum area Ramzi stopped the bus and said we had a ride to the camp for our overnight. The beginning of another adventure
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