PETRA

Regardless of your schedule, budget or interests the absolute must for a tourist activities in Jordan is Petra.

In reality Petra, Unlike other sites, is extremely difficult to categorize no mater what your category. Chronologically it crosses four periods, Biblical, Greek, Roman, and Christian. Architecturally it is a combination of Egyptian Nabataean, Greek, Roman, and Early Christian.

First settled by Nabataeans in the 6th Century BC, Petra didn't gain notoriety for nearly 400 years. With the Greek defeat of the Persians the Nabataeans began to control the trade routes in southern Jordan. This became a very lucrative practice and they prospered. In 106 AD the Roman Empire annexed the Nabataean Kingdom. In reality nothing changed and the Petra civilization thrived until a series of earthquakes forced the residents out.

Petra lies in Wadi Musa, which is a beautiful natural site. Access to Petra and Wadi Musa is obtained through the Siq. The Siq is a water carved cannel 8-12 meters wide. The vertical walls of the Siq are red, white and black sandstone that shoot straight from the floor at least 100 feet. After a 1200-meter hike the Siq opens up in front of one of the most astounding sites in the world. Directly opposite the Siq is the Treasury (al-Khazneh) which is carved out of the "living" stone.

Although atypical in grandeur, the Treasury is typical because it represents all he fabulous structures in Petra. There are a large number of facades carved form the rock for tombs, personal residences and government buildings.

Approximately 300 meters after the Treasury there is a series of stairs that lead to the "High Place". Travelers know that thee are the correct stairs because they can see an amphitheater about 200 meters in the distance. At the high place there is an altar that the Nabataeans used for sacrifices to their Gods represented by two towers of rock. It is best return to the wadi floor by following the path down and around the other side. There are quite a few tombs etc. that have been carved from the rock that are on this path.

The path will take you across the wadi to a large building called Qasr al-Bint (or palace of the Daughter of the Pharaoh). Near Qasr al-Bint there is a rest station, a museum and a restaurant. Behind these modern structures there is another series of stairs. This leads to al-Deir (the Monastery).

There are approximately 900 steps carved from the rock that lead to al-Deir. Although an arduous journey it is well worth it. Al-Deir is higher and wider than the treasury.

After returning from the monastery visitors usually take a rest. There is an opportunity to ride donkeys or camels to conserve energy. Heading east individuals travel along a Roman colonnaded street. Facing them in this trip are some magnificent tombs. There is a shorter series of stairs that lead to these tombs.

Continuing along this path there (which turns south) there is a Roman amphitheater. This amphitheater is also hewn from stone. After reaching the theater travellers can see the stair that lead to the "High Place".

By the end of touring Petra exhaustion will probably have set in. But we know that there is no comparison to visiting Petra.

TIPS FOR PETRA

The path just described is absolutely grueling and may no be for everyone.

To cut down on the exhaustion and investigate Petra better, you may want to budget your money and time to go two days.

Take plenty of water. Nobody wants to take care of a dehydrated person. Water can be purchased inside Petra but it will be about triple the usual amount.

There is no shame in riding a donkey or camel to conserve energy. Donkeys can be rented to go to the High Place and Al-Deir.