My visit to the wondrous country of Jordan has a bit of delay from the time that i actually visited, and the time of posting my experiences here on the website.
The visit actually took place in October 2015, as part of a much longer journey from the U.K to the Far East. At around this time, i had not yet learnt the cardinal rule for all travellers that intend to document their journey and experiences, namely BACKUP all your media on a daily basis. Not once but twice and make sure they are located in different items of luggage.
On this journey i managed at some point to loose, or have items stolen along the way.
This as well as being inconvenient, was also very upsetting as it included the loss of most of my media stored on USB sticks.
To cut a long story short the forced Covid lockdown enabled me to clean up and catalogue, a mass of data stored on various devices. One of which contained corrupted data files, that i have managed to recover data from. So here are some of my long lost memories, from the journeys i undertook in the Middle East, India and the Far East.
Enjoy.
Wadi Rum and the city of Petra
My first experience of Jordan is the Jordanian port city of Aqaba, on the Red Sea Gulf.It's home to the Islamic-era Aqaba Fort. Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Whilst here i am going to visit two wondrous locations, Wadi Rum and Petra.
Wadi Rum also known locally as The Valley of the Moon, was made famous for the Desert scenes used in the film Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. I have decided to forego the traditional camel ride, and take advantage of the much more comfortable 4x4 experience.
Valley of the Moon by 4x4
Wadi Rum is everything you’d expect of a quintessential desert. Wadi Rum is one of the world's most beautiful deserts. More than just a sea of rolling dunes, this protected wilderness near Jordan's southern border is made unique by the dramatic sandstone and basalt mountains jutting out of its sandy floor.
Named "The Valley of the Moon" for good reason, the area's natural intrigue is endless: stunning rock formations, fascinating rock art, and a brilliant night sky combine to create a unique and worthwhile destination,
At only 7 US$ for day entry, and the escorted 4x4 hire which costs around 150 US$. It is the best way to see all the sights you should not miss, such as Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, the Anfishiyyeh Inscriptions, Um Fruth Rock Bridge and many others. Your driver is also your guide, get a good one like Ahmed, and your journey then turns in to a magical adventure, rather than just a drive through the dessert.
Petra the “Rose City”
Early start this morning, as its a short jaunt by 4x4 to the magical Nabateans city of Petra.
The “Rose City” is a honeycomb of hand-hewn caves, temples, and tombs carved from blushing pink sandstone in the high desert of Jordan some 2,000 years ago.
Hidden by time and shifting sand, Petra tells of a lost civilisation. Little is known about the Nabateans a nomadic desert people whose kingdom rose up from these cliffs and peaks, and whose incredible wealth grew from the lucrative incense trade. I feel i already know this place due to all i have read and seen about the city. Defiantly near the top of my bucket list with Machu Picchu.
I do not know many people who have not seen the approach to the city, in the Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the lost Arc.
There is little more awe inspiring than the view you get as you emerge from the Siq and are confronted by the majesty of the Treasury building, The Khazna. Yet it’s the raw beauty of Petra that draws you in, as it does so many visitors, the entire city of ruins is a work of art, painted on a natural stone backdrop that changes colour every hour. The elegant Silk Tomb swirls with streaks of red, blue, and ochers. As you emerge out of the Siq into the city, the treasury towers 40ft above you and you wonder at its original use, as the most recent excavation here has unearthed a graveyard beneath the Treasury, throwing some question as to its true purpose.
One of the hardest places to visit on sight is that of the monastery. The Monastery is one of the largest monuments in Petra, measuring 47m wide by 48.3m high. It was built on the model of the Khazna but here the bas- reliefs are replaced by niches to house sculptures. A columned portico extends off of the facade, and offers relief from the midday searing heat. The structure of the hall dates to the early 2nd century AD, and was reused as a Christian chapel when crosses were carved in the rear wall, thus the name “Monastery”. Well worth the walk through the city to get to, if only to admire the other historic sights, such as the Theatre, that you will pass along the way.
Well thats my quick tour around Petra. There is much more in Petra to see, if like me you love ancient sights, or just want your photo taken in front of Indys Temple.
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