Aqaba in the south of Jordan, is the country’s only seaport. It is best known as a diving and beach resort, but also as the port of call for cruisers wishing to visit the Lost City of Petra, also known as The Rose City. This is Jordan’s most visited tourist attraction and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It was chosen by the BBC as one of “the 40 places you have to see before you die”. For years it was lost due to the fact that the entrance ways were covered in a sand storm. It was only rediscovered in 1812.
We drove approximately two hours by bus to reach the site. Quite a city has grown around it, with luxury hotels and of course the usual multitude of vendors. We walked downhill at least a mile or two to reach the entrance. I’m trying to find words to describe it – magnificent, stupendous, unbelievable ! ! ! !
It is an ancient city whose buildings were cut into the sandstone and granite rock face of the crevices inside the craggy encircling mountains. During its heyday, it was on the trade route taken by the camel caravans travelling between the many countries bordering Jordan and beyond .
I would strongly suggest that you look up Petra on the internet, because my words and photos are a very poor substitute.
The walk to the end of the city is about five miles long, all downhill and of course there was the return walk uphill. We could have rented a 2 passenger carriage for $30. or rented a horse or donkey for less. Most of us chose to walk. It was a LONG WAY BACK ! ! ! !
This evening aboard the ship, there was a pirate party to celebrate our safe passage through pirate territory. Free drinks were being passed around but there were very few takers because since most people on the ship went on long tours these past 2 days, and the smart ones retired early.
The next 2 days are sea days, and we will pass through the Suez Canal, then we will have the opportunity to visit Israel – Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Am looking forward to that.
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