Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Magnificent Petra, Jordan

Petra, Jordan from Aqaba port 


 

Today, November 4, 2012 I took my first visit to the country of Jordan and to the famous archeological site of Petra.

Our ship docked at Aqaba, a booming resort town, known for its gulf’s colorful reefs, is considered one of the best diving destinations worldwide.  What’s most interesting is that it is situated at a crossroads between Asia and Africa.  In fact, from the upper deck of our ship in the Gulf of Aqaba, you could clearly see Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Eliat, Israel.  They are so close you feel you can reach out and touch them.  I meditated on the peaceful panorama of twinkling evening lights among lands of Arabs, Egyptians, and Jews.
 

Departing from Aqaba, Jordan’s only seaport (in an otherwise landlocked nation), I took a private tour to the ancient city of Petra, declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.  Of note, Petra is considered to be a symbol of Jordan and is its most visited tourist attraction.

Petra Background

Established possibly as early as 312 BC, Petra is a historical  and archaeological  city in Jordan that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system.

The site remained unknown to the Western World  until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss  explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time". Recently, Petra was chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "28 Places to See Before You Die."

Our private tour leader, (Peter Roos, who I met online) arranged for two mini-buses and six taxis to transport us all to the site, located approximately 2 hours away from the port of Aqaba, Jordan. Our first stop was to a local currency exchange office to exchange $71 for 50 Jordan dinars. The entrance fee to Petra is only payable local currency.

Next, our driver, Amnett gave us a brief rest-stop break in a large well-organized, store with a beautiful assortment of local crafts, souvenirs, clothing, perfume, and more.  We had been warned that Egypt would spoil us with its bargaining practices.  Here, they were only willing to reduce prices by about 10 or 15%.  In Egypt, we experienced the opposite, where you could end up paying only 15 or 20% (or less) of the original asking price.  I was not tempted to buy anything.

On the drive to Petra, I observed mountains and beautifully colored desert dotted with Bedouin camps, complete with camels, donkeys and tents, and very few fertile patches fueled by irrigated water from the Red Sea.
 

Amnett contrasted Egyptian versus Arab culture specifying the differences between their way of life, income levels, shopping, practices, etc.  It was clear he feels that Arabs look down upon Egyptians as inferior beings. He is proud to be an Arab and not a North African.  OUCH!

We arrived in Petra two hours later and formed two tour groups. Before we entered the site of Petra, most of our group elected to take the 10 min. horseback ride up until we reached the entrance of the famous site.  Allergic to horses, I chose to walk alongside our guide, Adnan, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Jordanian.  He explained to me that he found French customers to be the most difficult because they are very knowledgeable about history and often challenge much of what he shares.  Americans, in contrast, are the easiest because they don't care about history and all they want to do is take photographs of things they know nothing about.  Sadly, we proved to fit the stereotype.  (Karla included).
 
 
 

We entered the famous sic, the long, narrow two-mile passageway, surrounded by spectacular 300 feet high rose-colored rock formation, that lead to the ancient city of Petra.  Adnan pointed out numerous shrines, temples, cave dwellings, statues, and carvings along the route. We shared this narrow pathway with numerous horse-drawn carriages carrying passengers to and from the city at a rate of $30 per couple. We had to dodge horses, carriages, and donkeys throughout the two-mile walk. It took us approximately 40 min. to walk through.



The buildup for the main site was Adman suggesting we stay to the left and prepare ourselves for the feast that was to come.   And there it was – –the spectacular, piece de resistance: the Treasury.  This well preserved structure, 140 feet high, 90 feet wide and carved out of solid rock, held treasures of the ancient culture.  In front of it were a flurry of crowds of excited tourists snapping their cameras; souvenir- filled shops; beautifully decorated camels for hire; camel owners recruiting passengers; and more. It was awe-inspiring-- simply spectacular.

 
Next, we continued beyond the Treasury through the vast unpaved ancient city.  Yes, we were mostly walking in sand as we marveled at the towering temples, royal tombs, carved Roman theatre, burial chambers, paved streets, large and small houses and public buildings.


We fast-walked for 45 minutes, in the hot sun, non-stop, back through the busy sic to our meeting point.  Our leader suggested this.  I don’t know HOW I kept up with the group.  It’s a wonder I did not pass out.

That was likely the best exercise I had in more than 10 years!!

Because the ship extended our stay in port by 1 1/2 hours, we considered adding a visit to Wadi Rum (where the Indiana Jones films were made). In the end, we opted to head back to the ship, not risking missing our sail away.

It was another great day of learning and exploring!

 

Places Where I Have Traveled *=more than once

  • India
  • China
  • Dubai
  • Israel
  • Russia*
  • Iceland
  • Cuba Aug 2016
  • Egypt*
  • Indonesia
  • Tahiti Feb 2016
  • Northern Ireland
  • Cook Islands Feb 2016
  • New Zealand Feb 2016
  • Australia Feb 2016
  • Belize
  • French Polynesia Jan 2016
  • Mallorca
  • Shetland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Brunei
  • Morocco*
  • Brazil*
  • Philippines
  • North Borneo
  • Crete*
  • Ionian Islands*
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • Azores*
  • Norway
  • Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes)
  • Bosnia
  • Palestein
  • Croatia
  • Romania
  • Argentina
  • Ecuador
  • Tunisia
  • Corsica
  • Bulgaria
  • Columbia
  • Peru
  • Montenegro
  • Columbia
  • Chile*
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay
  • Jordan
  • Gibraltar
  • Turkey*
  • Bermuda
  • Estonia*
  • Viet Nam
  • Finland*
  • Malta*
  • Thailand
  • Guatemala
  • Crete*
  • Jamaica*
  • Panama*
  • Grand Canyon
  • Scotland
  • Niagara Falls
  • Greece*
  • France* lived there
  • Japan*
  • Bilbao, Spain*
  • Canada*
  • Costa Rica
  • Bahamas*
  • Banff Hot Springs
  • Hawaii*
  • Italy*
  • Catalina Island
  • Luxembourg*
  • St Johns
  • St Marteen/St Martin
  • St Thomas
  • South Padre Island Texas
  • Mexico*
  • Vatican City*
  • Austria*
  • Denmark*
  • Monaco
  • Portugal*
  • Belgium*
  • Holland*
  • Ireland*
  • Alaska
  • England*
  • Sweden*
  • Switzerland*
  • Spain*
  • Germany*
  • Madeira

Events/Experiences

  • Pyramids at Giza
  • Taj Mahal
  • Climbed Great Wall of China
  • Western Wall-Jerusalem
  • Transited Panama Canal 3X
  • Rode Camel in Tunisia
  • fathom Adonia--1st US cruise ship to Cuba--Aug 2016
  • Old Town in Havana
  • Burj Kalifa in Dubai
  • Saw Kangeroos, Wallabees, and Koalas in Australia
  • Kayaked in Bay of Islands, New Zealand
  • Vaparreto # 1 in Venice
  • National Museum in Brunei
  • Saw Geysers Erupt in Iceland
  • Drink at Raffles Hotel-Singapore
  • Fish Spa in Greece and Philippines
  • The Peak in Hong Kong
  • Pedicab Tour in Manilla Philippines
  • Road Amalfi Coast, Italy
  • Chewed Gum in Singapore
  • Marched in St Pat's Day Parade in Dublin
  • Sailed Kotor Bay
  • Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia
  • Smithsonian Museums-DC
  • Toured Ancient City of Petra, Jordan
  • Transited Suez Canal
  • Rio for Carnivale 2X
  • Cruised along Cinque Terre, Italy
  • Fish Spa in Corfu, Greece (teeny fish scrubbed my feet!)
  • Subway in Russia
  • Flash Mob (dance) on stage on several cruises
  • Visted 21 Countries on 5 long cruises in 2012
  • Ceviche in Peru
  • Cremation Service in Bali
  • Saw Lamas in Lima
  • Vasa Museum-Stockholm
  • Buddhist Monastery in Viet Nam
  • Drove Amalfi Coast
  • Queen Mary 2
  • Berlin Wall
  • Mummies In Cairo Museum
  • Jordan River; Sea of Galilee
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor at Sunrise
  • Transited the Pirate-Infested Gulf of Aden
  • Ski Dubai
  • Fellucca Ride on the Nile at Sunset
  • 16-day Europe/Transatlantic on Queen Victoria
  • Tahrir Square-Cairo
  • Toured Pompeii
  • In Fashion Show Aboard Queen Victoria
  • Rode Elephants in Thailand and India
  • 7-Country Baltic Cruise
  • Hermitage Museum
  • Checkpoint Charlie
  • Transatlantic Crossing on QM2
  • Climbed Tikal in Guatemala
  • Mediterranean Cruise 6 countries
  • Audience with Swami in Rishikesh, India
  • Poetry Class in France
  • Kissed Blarney Stone
  • Pike's Fish Market in Seattle
  • Photo with Snake Charmer in India
  • Dacau near Munich
  • Hitchhiked from France to Scotland
  • Climbed Washington Monument in DC
  • Oktoberfest in Bavaria
  • Toured Panama Canal
  • Wine Country in France, California and many others
  • Guest of Placido Domingo in Chicago
  • The Alamo
  • United Nations
  • San Diego Zoo
  • Helicopter over Grand Canyon
  • Club Med in Cancun
  • Eurailpassed Twice Thru Europe
  • Hollywood
  • Albuquerque Hot-Air Balloon Festival
  • Rodeo in Dallas/Ft Worth
  • NCAA Playoffs in Charlotte and New Orleans
  • Cucchi Tunnels in Viet Nam
  • Grammys in New York
  • Paella in Spain
  • Rain Forest in Costa Rica
  • Xmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on 5th Avenue
  • Niagara Falls
  • Disney Land & Disney World
  • Voodoo Museum New Orleans
  • Cancun Jazz Festival
  • Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica
  • Las Vegas for Trade Shows
  • Key West for Hemmingway Festival
  • Art Classes in Louvre
  • Black Ski Summit in Vail and Colorado Springs
  • Texas State Fair
  • Mardi Gras in New Orleans
  • Italian Class in France
  • Nude Sunbathing in St Marteen
  • Danish Pastry in Denmark
  • Palace of Knossos Crete
  • Anne Frank House Amsterdam
  • Karaoke in Japan
  • Leaning Tower of Pisa
  • Lobster in Maine
  • Belfast Black Cab Tour
  • Dozens of Transatlantic Sailings