A Dream Come True
This was THE tour,
The site in Jordan I had been waiting for.
Since 1977, when I was eight years old, I became an original fan of Harrison Ford and Star Wars.
Han Solo was always my favourite over Luke Skywalker.
In 1981, I naturally and enthusiastically became an Indiana Jones fan, in awe of all the exotic locations this sexy archeologist travelled to.
Since 1989, after watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I’ve wanted to visit Al-Khazneh.
Al-Khazneh or as it is more commonly known as The Treasury.
This is a result of local Bedouins who believed a pharaoh’s treasure was hidden in an urn at the top of the temple.
Wadi Musa
The ancient city of Petra is located within the town of Wadi Musa.
Below, you see the populated town and Visitor’s Centre clearly articulated before the start of the tour.
If you look closely and follow the same colour of terrain from the Visitor Centre you’ll notice a narrow dirt path that eventually takes you to the Siq.
View Of The Siq
The Siq is the fantastical entrance to Petra.
It is a narrow gorge through sandstone rock that opens up to many treasures along the way.
Visitor’s Centre
Your first point of entry to tour this ancient city is through the Visitor Centre’s gate, located in the town of Wadi Musa. The Visitor’s Centre is where you buy tickets, book a guide, buy souvenirs or eat at a restaurant.
While our driver Walid purchased our tickets and arranged a guide, we waited in the courtyard of the centre.
It was already hot, even puppies didn’t have much morning energy.
Exploitation Of Animals
We met our guide, whose name I can’t remember.
This guide told us he was Matt Damon’s guide through Petra, when the Hollywood star was in Jordan on location in Wadi Rum filming “The Martian.”
Our guide led us down the long, busy dirt road towards the Siq.
Along this dirt road, we passed horse riding stations.
For about 3-4 JOD you can ride a horse or rent a horse drawn carriage from the Visitor Centre to the entrance of the Siq.
It was VERY difficult watching how locals treated the horses; whipping them forward in the extreme heat to transport lazy tourists, their hooves slipping on the smooth sandstone rocks.
At one point, a horse pulling a carriage filled with a family wouldn’t move and was frothing at the mouth.
I lost my temper and yelled harshly at the driver, to the shock of the Asian family inside the carriage – that maybe the horse would cooperate if he gave the horse a break and some water!
Yes, the horses, camels and donkeys were in much better condition than most of the horses, camels and donkeys at the Giza Pyramids; however Michael and I both agreed we would not support this exploitation of animals, like we did in Egypt.
Get On With It Already
I admit as we stared the tour, I did not know any history of the ancient city – my entire reason for being there was to see The Treasury.
Our guide explained everything as we walked, but my attention span was thinking, “get on it with already and get us to The Treasury.”
Now, as I write this blog, I can take time to reflect on what we experienced.
I honestly can’t remember most of what our guide told us, as it was difficult to understand what he was trying to say.
His English was good – but his explanations abrupt as he moved quickly to try and include everything he was scheduled to show us within the 2.5 hour tour.
Thankfully, I still have the ancient city map with its detailed explanation of sites within.
Therefore, I can share in detail what we learned on this exciting tour.
Quotes are from this ancient city map.
I hope you enjoy Petra as much as I did.
S, 🇯🇴
Petra – Capital of the Nabataeans
More than two thousand years ago, Petra was built by the Nabataeans (Arab people who inhabited northern Arabia and the Southern Levant) in the heart of the Shara Mountains. It prospered in the first centuries BC and AD and was a vital part of a major trading route connecting ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Today’s intricate facades sculpted into the sandstone cliffs of the area can still be seen, along with other remarkably preserved structure and monuments of this fascinating civilization.
June, 2019 – Exploring Jordan
Ajloun, Jordan – Ajloun Castle – A 12th Century Muslim Castle
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Gate Entrance
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The Oval Forum or The Oval Plaza
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The North Theatre
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Artemis Temple
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Theatre
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Zeus’ Temple
Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – That’s A Wrap
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Its Religious Significance & The Drive There
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Olive Trees
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Walk To The Mount Nebo Museum
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Jordanian Bedouin
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Museum
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – View Of The Holy Land
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Olive Tree Of Pope John Paul II
Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – A Visit To Sacred Grounds
Madaba, Jordan – A Local Artisan Shop
Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon
Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon – The Bedouin
Shoubak, Jordan – The Outcasts Of Jordan – The Bani Murra Or Dom People
Shoubak, Jordan – Ancient Landscape
Shoubak, Jordan – The Smallest Hotel in the World
Shoubak, Jordan – Montreal Crusader Castle
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Check In
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Turkish Bath
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Entering The Siq
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Indiana Jone’s Ride Through The Siq
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Moment You See It
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Corner Before The Treasury
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Camels
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Donkeys
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – Fun Moments
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Historic Information Before Walking The City
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Street of Facades
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Theatre
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Royal Tombs
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Nymphaeum
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Church
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Great Temple Complex
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Winged Lion Temple
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Qasr Al-Bint
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Donkeys
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Goats
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Horses
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Camels
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Tomb Or Home?
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – New Friends
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Walking Back – End Of The Tour
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Exploring This Desert Oasis
Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Morning Shisha At Sahtain Restaurant
Aquaba, Jordan – Driving The Desert Highway From Petra To Wadi Rum
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – The Dramatic Seven Pillars Of Wisdom
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Visitor Centre
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Mazayen Rum Camp
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Planet Pasaana, Jedha, Mars, Arrakis & Earth
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Lookout Climb & Scalding Hot Sand
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Michael Climbs & Alien Space Ship
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Otherworldly Landscapes
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Valley of the Moon Or Lawrence Of Arabia Pass
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Camp
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Bedouin Barbecue – Zarb
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Sunrise Camel Trek
Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Final Moments
Aqaba, Jordan – View Of Eilat, Israel & Driving Highway #65
Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Unforgettable First-Time Swim
Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – The Mud
Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Floating
Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Afternoon In The Pool
Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Last Day
Amman, Jordan – Final Day In Jordan
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