Monday, 1st April 2019
Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba. Situated in southernmost Jordan. The city had a population of 148,398 in 2015 and a land area of 375 square kilometres. Today, Aqaba plays a major role in the development of the Jordanian economy, through the vibrant trade and tourism sectors.
Petra, is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan, it lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of the Arabah valley that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is believed to have been settled as early as 9,000 BC, and it was possibly established in the 4th century BC as the capital city of the the Nabataeans who were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the trade route by establishing it as a major regional trading hub.
The city is accessed through a 1.2-kilometre-long (0.75 mi) gorge called the Siq which leads directly to the Khazneh. Famous for it’s rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, Petra is also called the Rose City due to the colour of the stone from which it is carved. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage”.
Early alarm, early breakfast and then off to the theatre for one of us to join the tour group the other enjoying the comfort of the ship.
Onto the bus, which actually left early today and soon away through the town and up the highway for the two hour drive to Petra.
All looking rather poor as Jordan has no oil and not much wealth, she seems to exist on grants from the USA and Japan. Ten million population, only a little over half Jordanian. The rest mainly foreign workers plus 1.3 Syrian refugees.
Wonderful empty and dry landscape mostly rock and sand with not much vegetation. Lots of red and black volcanic intrusions in the muted colours of the local sandstone and limestone.
Ever climbing up into the mountain, to over 300 meters. Just one quick stop at the souvenir shop for a potty break. Quite cool up here and 80% cloud cover. This weather predicted with small chance of showers.
Despite the ground all looking like rock and sand the local bedouin farmers have ploughed enough to grow some wheat and barley to feed their sheep and goats.
Our route took us over the hills to reveal an area known as the Jordanian Grand Canyon, it certainly had similarities and was spectacular. A small item pointed out by the guide was Aarons Tomb, a tiny white dot right at the top of a distant mountain peak. Aaron was a companion of Moses, he died around here whilst the Israelites were in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt on their way to the promised land.
On arrival it still took quite some time to get the group together, through security (inevitable in this day and age) and provide everyone with their tickets to get into Petra.
Then a walk down to the start of the Siq, about a kilometre, there was an option to take a horse ride or a carriage, didn’t look a good choice! Set off with the group and our guide, but very slow progress so very soon lost the tour group. Along the way passing the Djin Blocks, these being roughly cubic hollowed out burial chambers.
A Djin Block!
Entered the Siq, a water eroded gorge through the landscape, very narrow and very deep, in places 35 meters high and only 3 meters wide, the rock very colourful and smoothed into some lovely shapes. The horses are not allowed in this part but the carriages are, the driver’s echoing calls for right of way scattering the tourists strolling up and down, some carriages moving at some speed!
The Siq
Continued for about another 1.2 kilometre, then suddenly the gorge opens out, revealing the Treasury (Al Khazna).This is the best known feature of Petra, spectacular and quite awe inspiring. 40 meters high intricate carving in the rose coloured cliff, and it’s about 2000 years old.
Certainly this is the busiest spot, masses of tourists, camels riders and carriages. Took time to really absorb the atmosphere.
Moving on down a slightly wider gorge past the Street of Facades, here also all sorts of carvings, rock-cut tombs, etc. all over and in the surrounding cliffs. Further on the valley opened out with even more tombs, temples, columns etc. By now, another 1.5k further on, it seemed about time to retrace the route back uphill.
Along the way took some minor detours to overview points, didn't however take advantage of several options for longer detours to even more features.
Quite a steep climb back up, didn’t seem such a slope coming down.
Leaving Petra back out into the real world carried on up to the Petra Palace Hotel for lunch. All sorts of Jordanian and Middle Eastern dishes, salads and desserts on offer, delicious and very welcome, even more it was a chance for a proper sit-down.
Then it's up to the coach park to find the bus for the two hours bank to the ship.
A quick glass of champagne on the dock before boarding and time to recover with a spot of late dinner and a few minutes in front of the TV before sleep.
An excellent day if rather long and tiring.
Sailaway after bedtime, so missed it! From our berth there were views across the bay to the lights of Eliat in Israel shining out. Almost also meeting at Aqaba were Egypt on one side of the Gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia on the other. Four nations in close proximity, and not always friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment