BIBLICAL LAND Series: YES, IT'S JORDAN 4

PETRA

Day 6: December 27, 2012

One of Jordan’s National treasures is the ancient city of Petra in Wadi Musa. Petra is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. In addition, Petra is the legacy of Nabataeans. Arab people settled in this part of Jordan 2,000 years ago. This site never fails to fascinate visitors from all over the world.

It was already 3:30 PM when I started to explore the Lost City and need to come back at the gate before sunset. 

The main entrance to Petra is an extraordinary 2 km, deep and narrow canyon of eye-catching natural beauty, named The Siq. While walking through the Siq, I was singing hymn to the tune of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade theme (lols). In the last scenes of this Steven Spielberg film, the Treasury serves as a secret temple lost for hundreds of year.

At the end of the Siq, the astonishing Treasury appeared before my eyes. I was really enchanted with the pride of Petra and the most beautiful monument in the area. It was carved out of the sandstone cliffs. Aside from the Treasury, there are temples, tombs and other buildings which were also carved. This is the reason why the place was dubbed as “The Rose Red City.”

Experiencing Petra during the day and at night are totally different. And so, many visitors including myself, gathered at the gate before it opened at 8PM. We walked through the Siq going to the Treasury following a candle-light path. Hundred of candles were lighted in front of the Treasury. They served mouth-watering tea to all guests while seated on the provided carpet in front of the Treasury. We enjoyed the haunting music of the Bedouin. The show lasted for one and a half hour including a short talk regarding Petra.

Travel Info:

Petra is a 3-hour drive from Amman on the modern Desert Highway or 4 hours on the more scenic King’s Highway. From Aqaba, it will take 2 hours. There is a daily bus service offered to Petra. You can visit www.visitjordan.com for more information.

I paid an entrance fee amounting to 50JD during daylight (non-Jordanian) and additional 17JD for Petra at night.

Every traveler must visit Petra. It was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience.