You walk in through the narrow Siq only lit with thousands of light. The trick, we had read in the guidebook, was to linger behind the crowd so you could get to walk in in silence and that was a very good suggestion.
In the end of the Siq, in front of the Treasury, there was a candle lit concert held with Arabian music.
The day after we went to see Petra in daylight. We had been warned about the amount of tourists that visit the site, so we decided to be there really early. We passed through the gates at 06.00 am and spent a lovely morning (when it was still cool) exploring the central parts all by ourselves and then climbing all the way up to the Monastery. We saw our first tourist at 10.30 am!
Again there will be a lot of pictures with Ulrica in them for size reference or to add something pretty depending on how you like to view it.
This is the entrance to the Siq. It was used as the grand caravan entrance into Petra.
The dim, narrow gorge (in some places no more than 3 meters wide) is a natural geological fault produced by tectonic forces and worn smooth by water erosion. The walls that enclose the Siq stand between 90-180 meters in height.
It winds its way for more than a kilometer and ends at Petra's most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (The Treasury), hewn into the sandstone cliff.
The Treasury and Magnus standing on the steps.
Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time". In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The rock really is red.
Ulrica in a doorway.
From the inside of a cave.
It is hard to appreciate the size. It is massive!
Petra not only possessed the advantages of a fortress but controlled the main commercial routes which passed through it to Gaza in the west, to Bosra and Damascus in the north, to Aqaba and Leuce Come on the Red Sea, and across the desert to the Persian Gulf. Excavations have demonstrated that it was the ability of the Nabataeans to control the water supply that led to the rise of the desert city, in effect creating an artificial oasis. The area is visited by flash floods and archaeological evidence demonstrates the Nabataeans controlled these floods by the use of dams, cisterns and water conduits. These innovations stored water for prolonged periods of drought, and enabled the city to prosper from its sale.
The only other creatures up and about this early were a bunch of dogs.
Very old steps.
After exploring the central parts of Petra we climbed all the way up to the Monastery. Here it is with Ulrica (small dot under the main entrance) in front to the impressive facade. The Monastery is Petra's largest monument and dates from the first century BC. It was dedicated to Obodas I (a king) and is believed to be the symposium of Obodas the god. This information is inscribed on the ruins.
The only other people that started to be up and about after a while was various stall owners. A very nice man invited us in for tea and to share his breakfast of falafel and bread (much better than our boring packed breakfast).
This guy also had the best view from his stall.
Around eleven more tourists started to trickle in at the Monastery. It is a pretty strenuous hike up. But after this massive climb did this group of giggling Asian girls want to take pictures of the 2000 year old Nabatean tempel cut out from the rock like the rest of us? No they all wanted to take turns having their picture taken with the two gigantic, blond very funny looking people they met up there. And a group picture as well! Very funny!
We are already on our way down when we meet people preparing for a day of business, selling drinks, on their way up.
Stopping for a rest, some shade and a snack. This little boy wanted Ulrica to read from the guide book to him. Unfortunately very boring pictures in that book.
Having visited the more central and elaborate parts of Petra in the morning we spent mid-day exploring some more remote corners. There really are caves everywhere and it is true that you would need weeks to properly see all of it.
A shady spot for a much needed lunch rest.
Part of the long set of steps leading up to the High Place of Sacrifice.
Mid-day and very hot.
It must have been so beautiful with water cascading down and gardens. The hills around Petra would have been green and good for farming.
Self portrait.
Finally made it to the high place of sacrifice.
And down on the other side of the mountain.
The Royal Tombs a bit from above. Notice how small the people on the street are in comparison.
Tis in not quite right. Poor little donkey.
What a hustle and bustle in the Siq compare to our silent morning walking in.
Almost run over by a Beduine.
Very tired feet and very hungry after a long day.
The outer end of the Siq
These ladies wore dresses covering their faces but check out the very stylish shoes that can not bee too comfortable for a day of sightseeing.
