AQUA BA, JORDAN & PETRA (day 106)

AQUA BA is JORDAN'S only port. JORDAN is an attractive, relaxed place with traditional ARAB charm and stunning desert scenery. It has a population of 6.61 million people not counting the 1 million PALESTINIAN and SYRIAN REFUGEES who live in camps on the outskirts of the country.  Given the fact that they are surrounded by numerous combustible situations, SYRIA, ISRAEL, & SAUDI ARABIA, JORDAN maintains "a keep your head down policy" and so far the country has been safe. Although Islam is the predominant religion in JORDAN, it is a relatively liberal Arab country.The JORDANIANS love their king ABDULLAH II, who is a Constitutional Monarch, and they are willing to stand by him no matter what in order to keep PEACE in their country. Unfortunate for them tourism is one of the main factors driving their economy and tourism is down by 85% due to the problems in the surrounding countries.

DROMEDARY CAMELS GRAZING FREELY BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

CAMEL SADDLE

A VIEW OF AQUABA FROM 1400 FT.

 

Our tour guide told us to tell everyone...

"THAT JORDAN IS A SAFE PLACE TO VISIT"!

PETRA

The city began to prosper as the capital of the NABATAEAN EMPIRE IN THE 1st century BC. Later it was annexed to the ROMAN EMPIRE and it continued to thrive. It grew rich through its trade in FRANKINCENSE, MYRLE  & SPICES. It thrived until a large earthquake in 363 AD destroyed much of the city that combined with a change in the trade routes of the spices they eventually lead to the downfall of the city & ultimately it was abandoned.

In 1821 a SWISS explorer named Johannes Burckhardt rediscovered PETRA, PETRA became known in the West as a fascinating & beautiful ancient city, &  it began attracting visitors & it continues to do so today.

THE MAIN TRAIL

GATEWAY TO THE SIQ

OBELISK TOMB

Carved in the 1 st century AD by the Nabataeans

Above the tomb there is a relief that symbolizes the 5 people that were buried there.

THE SIQ

A narrow george leads visitors to PETRA

The SIQ opens up to PETRA'S most magnificent facade

THE TREASURY

It is almost 40 meters high with intricately decorated friezes, figures & more. All carved by hand.

The TREASURY is crowned by a funerary urn, which according to local legend conceals the pharaoh's treasure.

COURTYARD IN FRONT OF THE TREASURY 

ADORABLE,VERY SMALL BOY HAWKING PICTURE POST CARDS

IN ADDITION TO THE MAGNIFICENT REMAINS OF THE NABATAEAN CITY HUMAN SETTLEMENT & AND USE FOR VER10,000 YEARS CAN BE TRACED TO PETRA.

THE JORDANIAN FLAG FLYING IN

AQUABA WITH THE REA SEA & ISRAEL IN THE BACKGROUND 

 (SAID TO BE THE TALLEST FLAG POLE IN THE WORLD)