Petra
The main reason for our trip was to visit the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. We woke at 5:00am for the second day in a row, planning to be there when it opened at 6:00am. The forecast was for 40 degrees so apart from beating the crowd we figured we would also beat the heat. We had also read that the light on 'The Treasury' is best early in the morning.
From the Petra Visitor centre there is a walk of about a kilometre past a few temples and other carvings before entering 'The Siq'. The Siq is also just over a kilometre but is a natural chasm between rocks. The Nabataens were ahead of their time having drains running down both sides of The Siq with clay drainage pipes and waterproof grout. They used these pipes to supply water for the whole Petra township and to alleviate flooding.
You may remember The Treasury from one of the Indiana Jones movies. It sits at the end of The Siq and reveals itself as you walk in.
The Treasury is actually a tomb and as with most other tombs in Petra is carved from the rock face. They are carved from the top down, using scaffolding as the artist descends. The Treasury is almost 40 metres high. Arriving so early meant we were the only tourists for the first 30-40 minutes and it was great having time for photos and just to admire it.
From here we walked along 'The Street of Facades', a collection of hundreds of smaller tombs. Some we could enter, others we couldn't, but all were decorated to a degree. Further along there are a series of four buildings known as 'The Royal Tombs'. Apart from the size and decorations carved in the rock, the rock itself was full of color and added to the overall impression.
We also saw 'The Great Temple' which is estimated to be 7000 square metres - though now is in fairly poor shape. Overall we spent 6 hours in Petra and were very tired when we left.
We did however find the energy to return for 'Petra by Night'. This took place outside The Treasury where about 100 candles had been placed. We listened to some traditional music and a story about the beginnings of Petra, before they turned on colored spotlights. Though it looked effective, overall the night was a bit boring as we felt the music went for too long.
Day two at Petra and we looked at a couple of churches, circa 400BC. The floor in one was quite intact and large parts were decorated with mosaics.
We walked up 850 stairs and along about 1.5km to reach another of the iconic Petra temples, 'The Monastery'. Again carved from the rock face, this building is 47metres wide by 48metres high. Incredible detail on the facade though not as well preserved as The Treasury. We weren't allowed inside this one, but the interiors are all fairly simple, often comprising a single large square room.
Another 5 hours today in 36 degrees and we were ready to head back to the hotel.
Our third and final day in Petra with 'The High Place of Sacrifice' left to see. This was a 2.7km walk mostly up hill to a sacrificial alter (for animals). We had some magnificent views from here and could see almost all of Petra. Once back down we re-visited the Royal Tombs before deciding we were all done. Just over 4 hours today in 28 degrees and we were feeling much better. In total we walked about 30 kilometres back and forth over the 3 days and think we got the most out it that we could.
From the Petra Visitor centre there is a walk of about a kilometre past a few temples and other carvings before entering 'The Siq'. The Siq is also just over a kilometre but is a natural chasm between rocks. The Nabataens were ahead of their time having drains running down both sides of The Siq with clay drainage pipes and waterproof grout. They used these pipes to supply water for the whole Petra township and to alleviate flooding.
You may remember The Treasury from one of the Indiana Jones movies. It sits at the end of The Siq and reveals itself as you walk in.
The Treasury is actually a tomb and as with most other tombs in Petra is carved from the rock face. They are carved from the top down, using scaffolding as the artist descends. The Treasury is almost 40 metres high. Arriving so early meant we were the only tourists for the first 30-40 minutes and it was great having time for photos and just to admire it.
From here we walked along 'The Street of Facades', a collection of hundreds of smaller tombs. Some we could enter, others we couldn't, but all were decorated to a degree. Further along there are a series of four buildings known as 'The Royal Tombs'. Apart from the size and decorations carved in the rock, the rock itself was full of color and added to the overall impression.
The Palace tomb on the left and Corinthian to the right
Colorful rock
We did however find the energy to return for 'Petra by Night'. This took place outside The Treasury where about 100 candles had been placed. We listened to some traditional music and a story about the beginnings of Petra, before they turned on colored spotlights. Though it looked effective, overall the night was a bit boring as we felt the music went for too long.
Day two at Petra and we looked at a couple of churches, circa 400BC. The floor in one was quite intact and large parts were decorated with mosaics.
We walked up 850 stairs and along about 1.5km to reach another of the iconic Petra temples, 'The Monastery'. Again carved from the rock face, this building is 47metres wide by 48metres high. Incredible detail on the facade though not as well preserved as The Treasury. We weren't allowed inside this one, but the interiors are all fairly simple, often comprising a single large square room.
Another 5 hours today in 36 degrees and we were ready to head back to the hotel.
Our third and final day in Petra with 'The High Place of Sacrifice' left to see. This was a 2.7km walk mostly up hill to a sacrificial alter (for animals). We had some magnificent views from here and could see almost all of Petra. Once back down we re-visited the Royal Tombs before deciding we were all done. Just over 4 hours today in 28 degrees and we were feeling much better. In total we walked about 30 kilometres back and forth over the 3 days and think we got the most out it that we could.
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