Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans,
Petra is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourist attraction.
It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains
which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba),
the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812,
when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage".
and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Map of Petra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Karta_Petra.PNG)
Pictures were taken on July 22~23, 2011
Indiana Jones themed gift shops next to the visiter center
Petra is open from 6a.m. to 6p.m. during summer,
my husband and I got there around 4p.m which gave us less than two hours.
We were going to come back early the next day
but the vister center informed us that 2days pass is only 5 J.D more.
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One day pass: 50 J.D
Two day pass: 55 J.D
Three day pass: 60 J.D
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Why waste two hours?
We purchased the 2day pass and took our first steps into
one of the world's most mysterious ancient cities.
Obelisk Tomb and the Bab Al-Siq Triclinum
I know people say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
But not here, even pictures aren't enough to really show the granduer of Petra.
End of al-Siq.
First glimpse of The Treasury through a dark split in the sandstone, just like Indiana Jones.
From inside of the treasury looking out.
The paved road in the Siq was originally constructed by the Nabataeans,
towards the end of the first centry B.C.
As 6pm approaches, we had to head back to the entrance.
Leaving rest of the Petra in our imagination.
*DAY 2*
The Theatre
Urn Tomb
Main chamber
Theatre from the Urn tomb
The Corinthian Tomb
From across the valley
Church of Petra
View from the Church of Petra
Grand Temple of Petra
The Temple of Dushares (Qasr al-Bint)
After The Temple of Dushares is The Basin area.
There's Petra Museum, Basin Restaurant and the "very clean" restroom.
My husband and I stopped at the Basin Restaurant for lunch and a quick rest.
They were serving buffet with couple choices of meat.
Buffet was nice with several jordanian salads/dips and bread.
I was full by the time they brought my chicken.
Lion Triclinium
Now it is a home of this cute lil fella.
Our way up to the Monestary(Ad-Dier)
A lot of stairs...
The Monestery(Ad-Dier)
Random Bedouin girl who just came up to us and start chatting.
Her English was supringly good. She offered is a ride down to the treasury on her donkeys.
After 10~11hours of walking/hiking, we couldn't say no.
If I only knew how uncomfortable the ride would be... :)
There it is, my ride down to the treasury, Monica.
My husband and I was exhausted by the time we made it out of the Petra.
But we both knew we will cherish this trip for a very long time.
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