Petra

Walking through the Suq.

The treasury appears through the cracks at the end of the Suq.

The treasury as seen during mid-day.  It's so hot that even the camel can't take it.

One of the several tombs located off the beaten track in Petra.

The Great Temple, which is the largest free standing building in Petra.

The monastery, located at the very top and end of Petra.

Doing my Usain Bolt impression inside the monastery.

Jordan has several tourist destinations, but they all pale in comparison to the oft-photographed, oft-Indiana Jones referenced Petra.

                This massive site sits in the southwest area of the Jordanian desert – great in the winter time but can be brutal to take a stroll in mid-summer.  Some people even recommend taking three days to walk through this ancient capital, but a majority can be seen in one long day. 

                Petra became the city we know today during the 3^rd century BC, but was eventually swallowed up via the Roman Empire until it was largely abandoned from an earthquake in the 5^th century AD.  During the high point of Petra’s existence, people came from all over the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula to conduct business in the trade capital.  Taxes, trade, slaves, nomads, and new technologies all made their way through this town during its glory days. 

                The site begins with a walk through the one mile suq.  The suq is a long narrow walkway protected by 50 foot high walls and rock hewn water channels that lead to the center of Petra.  The suq finishes to a dramatic view of the famous treasury, which is known from Indiana Jones entering this ancient site to retrieve the chalice in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”  From the treasury the site splits into several different ancient sections.  Perched high at the end of the ancient grounds is the monastery.   Tombs, theatres, and altars line the city from the end of the suq to the monastery.

                I traveled to Petra during the hottest part of the year during Ramadan.  Pictures are best obtained during dusk when shadows are less prevalent on the ruins.  Trips to the ruins cost $70, but will run you $110 if you are doing a day trip from Israel or Egypt.