Jordan - Petra Day 2

We knew that Petra was far too big to see in one day.  In fact, the Treasury, which is the most iconic spot on the tourist trail, is just a tiny fraction of this whole ancient city.  We ended up spending five hours today visiting Petra and we didn't even get to see everything. 

Our ticket included a horse ride but we were nervous about it on the first day because we had heard we still had to leave a fairly substantial "tip" for the horse's owner.  We asked around and were told how much would be acceptable, so off Ripley and I went on the horse!

Teddy wanted to walk with the hiking stick.  Nice moves, kid!

 We arrived at Petra not long after it had opened for the day so there weren't many tourists and we got to take a few pictures of the Sic without any people in them.

Teddy was super excited about being in Petra!

So were Michael and Ripley!

Another photo of our favorite carving along the walls of the Sic.  You can see the two feet of a long broken camel and the legs of a man on the right.

That beautiful iconic photo of the Treasury.

We got a few camel pictures before their handlers spotted us and ran over to ask if we wanted a ride.

I just love this building and it was so much cooler without tons of tourists around.

We were excited to venture out of the Treasury and into the huge city that is Petra.

One of the many buildings in the Petra valley.

Climbing up the stairs to one of the Royal Tombs.

The amazing rocks around Petra!

Inside one of the Royal Tombs buildings.  How amazing is that ceiling!

The view into the valley.  What a great picture, Michael!

Another Tomb photo.  Do you see the shop located on the right side of the photograph?  The local tribesman were everywhere selling their goods, even up in the mountains.  They turned anything, even some of the caves, into their little shops.

Hiking to the Tombs.

Some of the caves held animals, including donkeys.

Another view out over the valley!

There were no ropes telling us not to cross or barriers keeping us out of certain places.  We could go wherever we wanted and that was half the fun.

We came across this adorable little local boy who looked to be about Ripley's age.  He was selling postcards and we weren't supposed to buy items from children to encourage their parents to send them to school.  He was so sweet and really wanted to play with Ripley.  It was heartbreaking.  

...and humorous.  His pants were way too big and his little butt was hanging out of his pants.  It couldn't have been more adorable!

The view down over the main street through the city.  This place is huge!

I loved everything about Petra but I really enjoyed sitting on the top of a hill looking out over the city while we stopped for a snack of nuts and tea biscuits.  

Petra was one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.  I would love to return some day.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to see one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  It will always remain one of my favorite places on this Earth to visit! 

Jordan - Petra! Day 1 - The Treasury

We had two days at Petra so we decided to start our first day off with traveling to the most iconic image from Petra, the Treasury.  Featured in Indiana Jones, the Treasury was originally built as a mausoleum in the first century AD.  

The name The Treasury derives from one legend that bandits or pirates hid their treasure in a stone urn high on the second level.  Significant damage from bullets can been seen on the urn.  Local lore attributes this to Bedouins, who are said to have shot at the urn in the early 20th century, in the hopes of breaking it open and spilling out the "treasure" - but the urn is actually solid sandstone.  

A guide told us that the building was actually built from the top to the bottom, and it has a second subfloor below the actual Treasury.  

Here are a few photos we took in front of The Treasury!

Here are the pictures from our camera!

It was really cool to see that Petra had a sub-level under the main structure.  It is so beautiful and detailed considering that it is under the dirt.

One last look!

Jordan - Petra Day 1 - The Sic

We decided to see Petra over two days.  We had heard that it is huge and we wanted to be able to spend as much time as possible at this amazing site.  

This is the modern entrance to the site - filled with tourist shops and lingering guides looking for a tour.  

It is about a 1.5K walk from the visitor's center to the entrance to the Sic, which is the high walled entrance into Petra.  

Along the walk are beautiful temples.  Teddy loved this temple because it is the Temple of Obelix.  Teddy loves the Astrix books and Obelix is one of the characters.

We finally made it to the entrance to Petra, called the Sic.  It is about 2K from this point to the Treasury.

The walls were beautiful and the rocks so colorful.  We went to the site toward the end of the day so there weren't many people on the path with us.

Along the walls of the Sic were these little niches, which are said to have holded statues of the Gods to bless those on the way to Petra.

Making our way toward the Treasury.  Ripley was SO not into walking such a long distance.

We loved seeing all of these small caves with stairs leading up to them.  We imagined the travelers who must have used them hundreds of years ago for shelter.

Getting closer.  Around every turn we hoped for that iconic picture of the Treasury, but it was a really long walk!

Although worn down by the wind, we were able to make out this carving of a traveler pulling a camel behind him.  There were several of these carvings, but this one is the best example.  Can you see the traveler's robe and two legs?

So close!

My first glimpse of the Treasury.  I have been waiting my whole life for this moment and it actually brought me to tears.  Silly, I know!  But it was such a dream to see something so beautiful!

We found the iconic shot!