Friday, April 11, 2014

13th and Final Post - Friday/Saturday, April 11/12 - Petra, One of the 7 Wonders of the World, and Amman, Capital of Jordan

Petra!
Outstandingly Beautiful!
How can you describe this impenetrable fortress of the ancient Nabateans? The first half mile is open pathway and the hills and rocks start getting higher around us as we descend toward the Siq. The Siq is a narrow, slot canyon, with towering walls of red rock that snakes about a mile toward the main canyon of Petra. Coming around the last bend the sudden first view of the Treasury takes your breath away.
From there there is an amazing number of buildings and tombs carved into the red rock walls.
Some of the hardier in our group managed to climb clear to the Monastery.
On Saturday, our last day, we got to leave Petra late morning for our drive to Amman, the capital of Jordan. Amman was formerly called Philadelphia and we visited the 5,000-seat Roman Theater, still in use.
Some of the best views were from the Citadel on a high hill above Amman.
After driving through a neighborhood of very nice homes, we concluded with a typical dinner at a local restaurant before heading on out to the airport for our 1:25 a.m. flights!

Our group gathers on the hotel terrace to start the trek into Petra.

LaVerne  peaks around the carriage driver on the way down into Petra.

Entering the Siq

Maie says, "I'm here in Petra!!"

The Siq narrows

Our Bedouin friend Sala'ama offers donkey rides up to the Monastery

Wow - a picture without tourists!

First glimpse of the Treasury

The Treasury

Dixie and Dave in front of the Treasury

Bedouin lad on his donkey

A little postcard saleswoman

Grandfather plays for the kids

Camels in Petra

The Theater

Royal Tombs in Petra

A few hardy souls in the group made the hike up to the Monastery. It's a fairly long walk in addition to the 900+ steps each way! The views of the Monastery and all directions from up there make it worth it!

Rob and Mitch on their Camels in Petra

View of Wadi Musa (Petra) from our Hotel

Wadi Musa (Petra) built in the rocks

Shawbak Castle, from the era of the Crusades

Hunting for agates on the hill above Shawbak Castle

Welcome to Amman - organized chaos!


Everyone has a cell phone! 

Amman - 5,000 seat Roman Theater

Aly, LaVerne and Ruth find new friends


This little boy performs for us with his soccer ball.

Philadelphia through the ages

The crowded hillsides of Amman

Houses are all built of local limestone

Shopping for spices in the grocery store

Jordanian woman baking bread in the traditional style

Our farewell dinner is served - just about everything you can imagine in a Jordanian meal!

Mark celebrates with a local hooka pipe!

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