An amazing viist to one of the new wonders of the world - Petra! (Petra (Jordan))

Member Name: karlsm93

Product:	Petra (Jordan)
Date:	15/08/09 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing craftmanship by the Nabataeans!

Disadvantages: Very hot in summer.

One of the many places we visited whilst in the Middle East this summer was the wonderous site of Petra in Jordan. Many people will already be familiar with some of the sights of Petra due to it featuring in one of the indiana jones films, however, it was our guide book that drew our attention to this place, with now claims a place as one of the new wonders of the world.

Petra is located about 4 hours drive from the Jordanian capital of Amman, and there are plenty of lodgings and eateries in Wadi Musa, the little town beside the entrance to Petra.

Petra is a Nabataen dead city, showcasing this ancient civilisation and their skillful impressive labour in the monuments that remain carved into the sandstone rock within Petra.

Arriving at the entrance gate to Petra, you have the option of tickets, depending on how many days you have. We arrived late afternoon and were staying until the following day, so it was necessary to purchase a 2 day pass. Passes up to 4 days are available. Our 2 day pass cost us 26 Jordanian Dinar each (around £25 per person). The park closes around 7pm - 7.30pm in the summer season, so we didn't feel we got our money's worth the first day since we arrived at 4.30 in the afternoon, however we made up for lost time the following day.

On our first trip into Petra we hadn't realised just how lengthy the initial trek in to the siq and beyond was. It took us approximately 45 minutes to reach the first main sight - the Treasury, at the end of the siq, but it was worth it. The afternoon, and early morning are the best times to see Petra due to way the shadow falls on the sandstone rock, and we were certainly impressed.

The siq is the ancient main entrance to the site, and is 1200m in length. It takes you through a narrow sandstone cliffs, and if like my husband you are interested in geology, you will be in your element admiring the formations and water channels cut into the cliffs. Horse drawn carriages are available from near the entrance gate of Petra to the Treasury for a fee, and we were pleased to see that the Brooke charity had a base inside Petra to give the horse being used shade, rest and water throughout the day.

As you approach the end of the siq, you start to get a glimpse of the famous Treasury, one of the best preserved carved structures in Petra. This wonderful structure was carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb for one of the Nabataen kings, however it served other purposes in later years. Although the outside decor of the treasury is breath taking, the inside is rather plain, with little carvings, and only the beautiful natural colours of hte sandstone to look at. We only managed to see this on our first visit before the park closed.

We did get another different look at the Treasury when we opted to take the 'Petra by night' excursion, which runs on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 8.30. The walk into the Treasury, including the siq are lit only by candlelight. It is a very peaceful and romantic thing to do when you visit Petra, and you are rewarded when you arrive at the treasury with some Jordian music and tea by candlelight. Highly recommended!!

The following day we went back for a better look and to go beyond the treasury. The park opens early about 6.30 (I think!) and we were entering Petra by about 7.30 that morning. Ideal because there were less crowds, nice shadows on the rocks, and most importantly a little cooler (if that is possible in the summer months in Jordan).

Beyond the treasury we then walked through the outer siq, much shorter in length, before approaching the Street of Facades, and then the theatre. The Street of Facades is simply rows of Nabataean tombs, some with intricate carvings. The theatre is more impressive, and resembles that of those built by the romans, a factor influencing of Nabataeans in the 1st century AD.

Beyond the theatre you will by inspired by the array of Royal Tombs carved into the cliff rock face. Again, it is the outside of these tombs that are the must see. Inside, the tombs are plain with nothing much to see. Some of the most impressive tombs are the Urn Tomb, which is the largest and holds its own courtyard, and the palace tomb, which unfortunately has been badly eroded over the years.

The last of the main sights that we had time to see on our 2 day visit, was the colonnaded street, which led to the main city centre at one time. The street was once home to shops, houses and even a temple, which you can still walk around today.

If you have more time in Petra, and can endure the intense dry summer heat, you can take a donkey ride (or climb!) the 800 steps to the monastery or even the high place of sacrifice.

We felt however that we got to see as much of Petra as we could and were able to come away with a greater understanding of this ancient civilisation and an appreciation for thier craftmanship and practical skills.

Petra really is a wonderful place to visit, and like no other I have seen. It is hard to really understand its beauty until it is right before you. I would suggest that if you are visiting in the summer months like us, you take at least 2 big bottles of water with you (believe me you will drink it all), a protective sun hat, sun cream, and some food, and there are only a few eating places in the site. Be aware also that the Bedouin people that offer the donkey rides as well as having jewellery stalls etc inside Petra will hound you throughout your visit. We found the best approach was to simply to shake your head 'no' when you weren't interested, and then they didn't know if you spoke english, and those left you somewhat more alone. It is sad however to watch children as young as 3 or 4 trying to sell things to you, or hit donkeys with metal rods. I found this particularly hard to take, but the further side of Petra appears to be run by the Bedouin, and the animals are not cared for by the Brooke charity, like the horses at the entrance.

However, all in all Petra deserves its title as a new wonder of the world, and is certainly worth visiting Jordan alone for, as I doubt you will see anything like it again!

Summary: Once in a lifetime place to visit.