Hello All!
I had the pleasure of visiting Petra, Jordan while on vacation in Israel. I was able to book a day trip that left from Eilat, which is in southern Israel on the Red Sea.
We went to the border crossing and it took 1 hour to clear through. We were then transported to another coach which came equipped with an armed guard for our safety. Our hosts were very pleasant and helpful for our 1 hour trip to Petra.
If any of you have seen the third 'Indiana Jones' movie, then you have seen the Treasury in Petra. The entire place has been carved out of sandstone, most of it striped with beautiful layers of color. You walk down into a pathway which soon becomes enveloped in these really cool walls of color that must have been formed by flowing water. Along the way you'll see some rudimentary carvings in stone that get better as you go.
About 1/2 mile into the walk you come around a bend and see the Treasury, a picture of which I've included. It's an awesome experience to actually see how huge it is! But... there's even more to see..
If you continue along the trail, you will discover the rest of the ancient city. There is an amphitheater that was built by the Romans, and lots of other structures that were carved into the mountainside. Once you reach the plain and look to your left, there is the heart of the old city. It is quite amazing when you see it, and you can just imagine what it must have looked like during its heyday. Across the vally you can see the 'main street' that runs into the city center, and all along the cliffs there are lots of buildings.
We had lunch in a local restaurant - served buffet style - and the food was excellent! The people were really friendly and helpful and I had a great time. The only thing that bothers me about my trip there is that I didn't stay longer. Next time I go, I will stay for a few days so that I can attempt to get to know the friendly Jordanian people better. Take this trip... it's well worht it!
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