It’s been a busy 2 days, hence the lack of post, however we are now through the Suez canal and I have some time to write.
Aqaba lies at the end of the Red Sea and has a unique location. Jordan’s only seaport, a few miles to the west is Israel and a few miles south lies Saudi Arabia and, to add to the mix, Egypt is not far away either.
We followed our old companion, the Pacific Princess in towards the pilot station, however the pilot boarded so late that I was in ‘approach mode’ for the berth itself.
Aqaba with Israel’s port of Eliat across the way to the west.
We call here mainly for the ancient city of Petra, a World Heritage site and some call the 8th Wonder of the World, it lies a good 2-hours away by road. With this ever-changing world in which we live in and, as Friso had been there, I took the opportunity to go and see it for myself. I had heard and read so much about it that I had to see this wondrous ancient city. Built on the ancient trade-routes between Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean it flourished until, over time it disappeared from men’s minds, until it was ‘rediscovered’ in 1812.
Built out of solid sandstone rock, the city lies within towering cliffs and can only be entered via a natural canyon, so narrow that it can easily be defended and survived many attempts to do so.
This is going to be a ‘photo’ blog today, words cannot do it justice, an unforgettable experience.
A massive Jordanian flag, so large that it can be seen from Israel, in the background. On the other hand, across in Eliat, they have a massive Israeli flag, you can make it out, towards the bottom of the flagpole.
Basalt mountains make up the high ground, the low being desert
Passing shepherd and his goats
Bedouin tents dot the countryside
Typical dwellings
A 400-yard walk takes one from the car park, through the Visitors Centre and to the approach to Petra itself.
One needs walking shoes here, down a gravel road and the opportunity to ride a horse, if one so wishes
Grace and Karen
On the way down towards the canyon entrance, one passes tombs, cut into the sandstone. The more ornate the tomb, the richer the patron.
This one was rich, enough space for 5 of his family
Then a walk down to the ‘canyon entrance. The niches cut in the rocks and what remains of an arch, lead to the fact there was once a gate there.
It becomes really narrow
With towering cliffs, either side
Cut into the canyon sides are drains, to collect water
The road was once paved, some of it remains
If you’re feeling tired, you can always ride a horse and buggy
Eventually, after a half-mile walk, one reaches the end of the canyon and a hint of what lies beyond
As one walks in to the open space the sight takes your breath away, Al-Khazneh, the Treasury. Carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb for an important Nabataean king, some scholars believe it was later used as a temple.
The area surrounding the Treasury is full of hustle and bustle, camels for hire,
Policemen looking splendid on their Arabian horses,
Then a stroll, the aim was to get to the Monastery, however one had to climb 1,000 steps to reach it, a solution had to be found.
The solution………..
No comments please 🙂
I am no horseman, (or is it donkey-man) and I have to admit that when we climbed higher, up the steps, I was uneasy, my donkey had a penchant for favouring the sheer drop side.
As we rode towards the steps, we passed through Colonnade Street, once the city centre, flanked by temples, shops and public buildings
The amphitheatre
Jordanians, dressed as guards stand sentry duty
A young boy looks after a stall
Once through the ‘flatter’ part, the climb begins; hanging in grimly we wind our way up the steps.
Half-way and looking down, you now have some idea of the terrain
Leaving the donkeys, we climb for another 15 minutes
Still some way to go….
Eventually we reach the top and our efforts are rewarded, Al-Deir, the Monastery.
An equally uncomfortable ride down and it’s almost time to return to the buses. By now our legs are weak and aching, it’s time for more alternative transport.
Hi Ho Silver, away……
After a wonderful day, ( we could have done with two, really), it’s time to depart for the Suez Canal, Michel takes her out.
Pilot. Friso and Michel
A vessel on the opposite berth appears to have had a fire of some proportion
Looking north
The view after leaving the berth
Pilot boat alongside
We had to adapt our plans. We were due to transit the canal on the 4th, it became apparent a few days ago, that, due to delays, we weren’t going to make Ashdod if we went through then. So, a mad dash to get there on the morning of the 3rd, register with the authorities and hope they have room for us in the northbound convoy on the 3rd. I write this from the Mediterranean, plan A worked and after a 12-hour transit, most of it at night, we went through .
