Petra

Trip Start Aug 11, 2009

143

Trip End Sep 30, 2010

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Where I stayed

Sabaa guesthouse

Flag of Jordan Petra, Jordan
Saturday, February 27, 2010

Much visited and much photographed Petra is entirely different from any ruins we have seen (and right now it feels like we have seen a LOT of ruins). Walking down the narrow canyon of pink rock to the first glimpse of the treasury is amazing. Even stepping out and seeing the large the crowd of tourists queuing for the photo-on-camel opportunity does not manage to take the awe away entirely. Sadly, unlike Indiana Jones, we can't go in to the carved out cave behind the facade (although I doubt the holy grail is in there anyway). We later discovered that all the tombs are just large empty caverns that smell of cat anyway.
Climbing up to the plateau peak of the sacrificial altar gave us amazing views over the knobbly rock formations and carved facades, surrounded by modern high rise towns. We didn't ride any camels, but we did opt for the 5 minute 'free' horse ride (tips required). Welcome to tourist central.

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Pony ride	In the canyon at Petra	The Treasury	Both of us blocking the view
The mountains (plus cloud)	View into the haze	Interesting colours in the rock	A lot of climbing
At the 'high place of sacrifice'