The ancient city of Petra (in modern day Jordan)

I spent the day in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.  Established in 312 BC as the capital of the Nabataeans, it is famous rock-cut architecture that was hidden from the Western World until 1812.  Petra is known as the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved.  It is known as one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World.” 

It’s an amazing site, and here are a few of my photos from my visit today. Please forgive the large number of the.  I walked a total of 9 miles today as part of this journey to Petra.



Just past the main gate you will be offered horses to ride, or even small buggies for two people.  However, most folks walk.




Our local guide leads us through a "thaniya" is a small crack in a mountain. The city of Petra had two thaniyas, or passages through the mountain.  This kept the city hidden to the West until the early 1800s.



Walking The Siq allows you to pause along the way, examine the wonders of nature, and take lots (in my case 1000+) of photographs.



It is easy to see how this city could remain hidden from the rest of the world with this passage.



This rock looked like an elephant from one direction and a fish from the other side.

This is one of the narrowest part of The Siq. It is a great place to stop and look around. On the sides water channels.  These ancient people actually sold water to desert tribes.

The distinctive pink hues of color of this stone is evident as you walk through The Siq.  The tree was growing out of the rock.



After the long walk, you come to the final opening.  Get ready to see something amazing.

The first and greatest monument of Petra slowly comes into view. This is the famous Treasury.  

Once you step out of The Siq, you are faced with the tremendous scale of the monument. It is several stories high (note its size relative to the folks outside), and it was especially spectacular today in the morning sunlight.

Here I am standing outside The Treasury in Petra.




Petra's theater is cut out of solid rock

On December 6, 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site.

The site has been used in the following movies:  Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Arabian Nights, Passion in the Desert, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, The Mummy Returns and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Petra appeared in such novels as Left Behind Series, Appointment with Death, The Eagle in the Sand, and The Red Sea Sharks.



That's the captain of our ship.  He took the easy way and rode a mule into Petra.  I guess he had to get back to the ship to prepare for our departure.

It's surprising the number of children selling things at the site.  This child (around 3 or 4) is selling rocks and dolls.

From Wikipedia:  "According to Arab tradition, Petra is the spot where Moses (Musa) struck a rock with his staff and water came forth, and where Moses' brother, Aaron (Harun), is buried, at Mount Hor, known today as Jabal Haroun or Mount Aaron."

After walking in, you have to walk uphill to get out of Petra.  These guys wanted me to ride the donkey, but I did the walk!

The buildings are a great variation in style based on the year it was constructed/carved.

This couple from the ship had a great time riding the camels.  However, the crooked camel driver caused them to end the experience on a very bad note ... the local police were involved in the dispute.  I'm glad I walked!

Although it can be relatively tight in spots, I never felt claustrophobic during my journey to the ancient city.

According to Wikipedia:  "The Siq is a natural geological fault split apart by tectonic forces; only later was it worn smooth by water."

The rock that looked like an elephant now appears to resemble a fish.

A large portion of the city was reserved for tombs.  The citizens lived a little further down in the valley.

Goats were grazing in the area as I walked out of The Siq.



This  young lady allowed me to take her photo with her baby goat. 

This artist was using the tombs at the entrance of the city to inspire her artwork.

The rift valley that can be seen as we made our way up the mountains to Petra.



One look at the rift valley that separates the two plates that are moving in different directions.  It reminded me of the Grand Canyon.

The view from the ship of the city.  This is only access that Jordan, which is largely landlocked, has to the Red Sea.

A look at Jordan's only port city:  Al 'Aqabah.  This area is next door to Egypt and Israel.  Saudi Arabia is only a few miles away, too.  That's the Flag of the Arab Revolt flying in the harbor.

Jordan's only harbor is Aqaba on the Red Sea where we spent the day.  You could see Israel and Egypt from the ship (and the no man's land between Israel and Jordan).  Saudi Arabia was south, too.  Petra was about a 1.5 hour drive from the port.