Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

[drron]

Obviously a little windy on the hill but that doesn't stop the grapes-

But running into this guy-

Might put you in one of these-

Not all on the hill looked ancient,probably making some new ruins-

Then the mosque built after the Romans left-

With some modern help to keep out the elements-

Then after a busy day it was back to Wael and his trusty Sunny to get back to the Sheraton-

We stopped by at the lounge for some cold drinks and fruit.A little rest and back for happy hour.Was getting pretty noisy and so we went back to the room and had Room Service-a large hamburger and a mushroom and cheese pizza only set us back a total of $25 even after tip.
It was early to bed as we had an 0530 start for our day to Petra and the Dead Sea.That next.

 

[Major]

One of the first things I noticed about the Middle East was the vividly blue sky. However as soon as you neared a city the haze and pollution took over

 

[amaroo]

Really enjoying this TR:!:

For the first time ever - I'm starting to get a little keen on visiting a country in the Middle East.

 

[Maca44]

We enjoy your trip through your camera lens, and a picture says a thousand words. great read..

 

[docjames]

-

.

Great photos and a great TR (as always).

Is that a plane landing (top left corner) or dirt on the lens?

 

[drron]

Great photos and a great TR (as always).

Is that a plane landing (top left corner) or dirt on the lens?

Yes it is a plane heading for AMM.The Citadel can be right on the flight path-

 

[turtlemichael]

Really enjoying the posts and pics. Many thanks.

 

[drron]

Well today is our big day.Up at 0430 and picked up at 0530 to travel via the Desert highway(also the road to the airport) on our way to Petra.Just outside the city limits you see the bedouins in their tents with small plots of agriculture or goats and occasionally sheep.Interspersed with this are large homes-as I said before a lage difference between rich and poor.So a few shots taken from the car-

Just before we turned off for Petra we stopped at a small town.Wael bought us tea and it was really good.Turned out to be black tea with cardamon and honey.I think I am a convert.The town though was really desolate-

Whilst we were stopped a convoy of car carriers passed-the highway is the route from Aquaba,Jordan's only port,to Amman-

Now would you stop for this pair?

The first part of the drive from the Highway to Petra is featureless.Again the benefit of going with a local became apparent.Wael knew where the speed camera would be so slowed down 2Km before it.We were still flagged down.As it turned out it was so the policeman who had been on night duty could be taken home-it was ~ 25Ks to his village and no transport is provided.We agreed to let him come with us.After Wael said he was promised he would not be booked today.
The policeman's village was basically running along in a Wadi or canyon so there was evidence of agriculture and many fruit trees.There were trees that are claimed to be a thousand years old-

Soon after this we arrived in Petra-the town is strung out down a quite steep hill so anyone staying there needs to do a little research-the Movenpick hotel was the closest to the entrance of the Petra park.Wael dropped us off at the entrance just after 0800.He did warn us that the local Bedouins are renowned for their love of the Dinar and specifically getting tourists to part with them.That was not an exaggeration.
We should have paid attention to the small print at the ticket office.Anyway it is 50JODs for 1 day or 55 for 2 days so if you have the time and inclination 2 days are better.
After paying we were immediately beseiged with offers of a horse ride or carriage ride.The horse ride is actually included in the ticket price but a tip is mandatory-2-3 JODs.However we as I said did not read the small print and paid 10 JODs for the 700 metre horse ride.Then the fellow had the hide to ask for a tip-he got one something to the effect that he was a theiving.......The carriage ride to the Treasury is in the small print 20 JODS for a return trip-though a fellow at the Treasury as we were coming back wanted 50 JOD.

Enough of the prolems-next the walk to the treasury-spectacular in the early morning light.

 

[MrC]

I went to Jordan in April, loved it! Petra is amazing, although I'll let your photos do the talking...

It was already getting hot then, so I can only imagine it must be pretty steamy at this time of the year!

 

[drron]

Well into Petra.It was quite OK on the way in but it very quickly got up to 35C as the sun came overhead.So first a couple of pics on the way to the Siq-natural canyon and waterway-

Then into the Siq itself.To me this is definitely one of the highlights,mostly natural too-

Believe me this is only a very small percentage of the photos we both took.So some more next.

 

[drron]

So there are some human and plant intrusions into this magnificent architecture-

But the natural beauty still got me in-

So next we might even reach the Treasury.

 

[drron]

Sorry I am still in awe of nature-

But then you turn the corner-

Next the surrounds of the Treasury.

 

[drron]

So we began walking away from the Treasury-there is so much to take in.

The adventure continues.

 

[drron]

Now the other thing that is said to be a must see is the Monastery.Unfortunately my knee combined with the heat meant that walking it was out of the question.We had read up on using the donkeys with everyone saying 5-10 dinars was the accepted price.However walking with a limp,being overweight with grey hair I obviously looked like a good mark.The first offer given to us was 45 dinar each with the fellow lying about the distance-doubling what we had researched.The best offer we had was 25 dinar until we were on our way back and an old wizened fellow started off at 10 dinar each but by that time it was a little late.
Despite that we enjoyed our time there.Personally if I was younger and fitter a half day would be ample time to see Petra-others with different tastes and ideas will disagree but that is just MHO.So back to the pictures-

 

[drron]

Our setback let us more completely look at other areas.Both human and natural architecture continued to impress.Just a little off putting to be approached every couple of minutes by fellows selling postcards,old coins,rubbish jewellery etc and having stalls and restaurants set up in some of the tombs.Not quite World Heritage Area appropriate.But I hope you are not getting bored with the photos.

 

[drron]

And the photos continue-

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Well to the last of the photos but just one last tale.We had climbed up to this impressive set of tombs nearest the town of Petra.Mrsdrron sat in the shade whilst I went on alone.There was a last Bedouin stall with all sorts of junk.Two little boys had no success in getting me to buy so big sister turned up.She also had no success so came straight up to me and said-"do you want a Bedouin Kiss".Now I had no knowledge of what this would entail but I decided it was way too expensive in the long run so I declined.So the last pics of Petra including when we got back to the Treasury and no one was there-we had passed many groups on the way back though so again-get there early.

 

[LadyC]

Great TR and photos drron - confirming Jordan on the must go to list!