Day 4 - Petra, Jordan (21st Dec 10)

Local Kids Going to School

The most expensive entrance ticket I ever paid, but it was totally worth it.

50 Jordanian Dinar = US$70 = S$90

King of Jordan

PETRA

"Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is known for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BCE as the capital city of the Nabataeans,^[2] it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction."

Taken from: http://www.visitjordan.com/default.aspx?tabid=63

"Although much has been written about Petra, nothing really prepares you for this amazing place. It has to be seen to be believed. Petra, the world wonder, is without a doubt Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome."

It is one of the new 7 wonders of the world, and it really deserves the title. I had high expectation of Petra, and I was not disappointed. It is as interesting or even more interesting than Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China, and the Pyramid. Each of these wonders has its own uniqueness and amazing story. Petra's story is different one - people were still living in Petra in 1980s. It was one of the oldest living city until 1980s, when the government decided to promote it as a tourist attraction.

The best part - there are definitely less tourists visiting Petra than other wonders.

Sitemap & our guide (which costed 50JD)

Cave Dwellers

The Siq

"Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, over 1km in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80m high cliffs. Just walking through the Siq is an experience in itself. The colours and formations of the rocks are dazzling. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (Treasury)."

Thoroughly enjoyed the walk in the Siq in the morning without other tourists.

A perspective of the height of the gorge.

Glimpse of the Treasury.

Imagine you are a trader from faraway land, and this is the glimpse of Petra that greets you after months of traveling.

The Treasury.

It was actually not a Treasury, but a Tomb. haha...

"A massive façade, 30m wide and 43m high, carved out of the sheer, dusky pink rock-face and dwarfing everything around it. It was carved in the early 1^st century as the tomb of an important Nabataean king and represents the engineering genius of these ancient people."

Closeup

There are Greek and Roman Gods statues - cultural fusion.

A friendly cat that jumped onto my lap.

Another view of the Treasury.

Local Lady

Roman Amphitheater carved out from rock.

More Tombs.

Local Kids

Jordanians have very nice features.

Roman Ruins

Caves

I was awed by the sheer size of the wall. 

Unfortunately, picture could not give the impact of enormousness. 

Locals standing at the edge of the cliff to show that they are fearless.

That is sheer stupidity. If there is a sudden gush of strong wind, that's bye bye to their lives. It was frustrating to see people acting stupidly.

The Monastery

Taken from: http://www.bibleplaces.com/petra.htm

"The Monastery is the largest tomb façade in Petra, measuring 50 m wide and 45 m high. Despite its name, it was built as a tomb monument and may have acquired its name from the crosses inscribed inside.  Like the Kazneh, the structure consists of two stories topped by a magnificent urn.  The architectural detail of the Kazneh is not evident in this building."

That's me standing infront of the Monastery. It is huge!

Beautiful

"End of the world" 

- Locals pitching tent at the top, chilling out and selling things to tourists

Landscape of Petra

The Monastery is the "small" structure at the middle.

More Tombs.

DINNER

Falafel is our favourite food in Middle-East. Extremely cheap and tasty!

Free Sweet Pastries after Dinner.

=)

My experience with Jordanians have been great. They seemed to be a bunch of nice & hospitable people, and even in touristy places, people would stop pestering you after you rejected them. It was quite pleasant traveling in Jordan. Next Stop: Israel!