On Our Way to Lost City of Petra - Day 4

Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in southern Jordan and is also part of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Built by the Nabateans (nomadic Arabs), possibly as early as 312 BC, Petra became a thriving trade center with over 20,000 people living within its boundaries. It was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from 400 BC until 106 AD when the Romans formally took possession.

Petra was my most-anticipated part of our trip. I love to combine sightseeing with exercise. The legendary "Rose City" is one of the most spectacular of archaeological sites and ranks along-side India's Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Egypt as one of the world's must-see sights.

Petra is also referred to as the "Lost City".  After the 14th century it was completely lost to the western world until rediscovered in 1812.

We left our Wadi Rum camp and headed to Petra, about 2 hours away. The weather conditions worsened quickly.  I was worried for our new British friends from camp who were on their way there too, driving a rental car - I wouldn't want to drive in this dense fog! (Update: We saw them safe in Petra)

Greg and Chris were in the taxi in front of us, leading the way.  The taxi driver said the fog actually gets worse than this!  

Right after I took this picture of the dense fog, Greg and Chris' taxi crossed to the wrong side of the road and were head on to a car coming the other direction. Yikes! I could barely watch the road after that, as they kept passing on the other side in the thick fog. But I couldn't take my eyes off the road either.

Concerned that the forecasted heavy rains would close Petra tomorrow, our hotel owner suggested we take the new, free visitor's center shuttle to the back entrance, Little Petra, and start our experience with the Monastery - the hike that was our plan for tomorrow. We took his advice.

We were in a race against time - anxious to see Petra before it got dark or started to rain. Just in case we wouldn't make it through, we posed in Little Petra for a picture. As we were turning to pose, Jeremy disappeared … What the heck?! He was booking it at full speed chasing his hat that the strong desert wind carried off him. (Ironically, his hat from Greece says "In Wind We Trust".)

From Little Petra, the back entrance to Petra, you then take a truck-shuttle (5JOD each) to the Monastery trail.  The driver looked straight at me and asked if we want to go fast - I shook my head yes! We think we didn't have a choice anyway. He took off fishtailing and whipping the truck down the pitted dirt road. Each bump threw us (and our seat cushions) airborne. Not all of the tires were on the ground. It felt just like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland (how appropriate since the Indiana Jones movie brought Petra to the world). I was launched into the air into a stranger and Chris flew into Greg. It was a crazy ride - he was a crazy driver!! We laughed and laughed (and lived).

Our crazy driver!

Hold onto your hats and glasses because this here's the wildest ride in the Middle East!

At the start of the Ad-Deir trail to the Monastery. It was pretty windy, and in the desert that means you're getting pelted with sand. Between the braying donkeys and people's protective head wraps, we think George Lucas dreamt up Tuscan Raiders in Petra!

The Ad-Deir trail offers sweeping views over the Petra area and valley below

The Monastery has the same design as the more famous Treasury but is much larger with a size of 154 feet wide and 157 feet high.

Going the empty back way is a less strenuous hike to the top than the front way's 900 stairs. I highly recommend it over the main trail full of overconfident, wheezing tourists.

Looking down the main trail to the Monastery - 900 steps straight up to the top

From the Monastery and back of Petra, we walked out the Street of Facades to the front - doing the typical visit in reverse.

The Treasury is the face of Petra

Walking out through the Siq

Leaving through the entrance to Petra's Visitor Center

At the entrance to Petra is the oldest bar in the world - Cave Bar. The inside is small and only had 5 remaining seats. The host wouldn't let us sit down and wouldn't let us wait for more seats. Our option was outside in the windy, dreary cold, or nothing. We left, officially starting Day 1 of my sobriety. (Jordan is a dry nation.)

For dinner we went to Beit Al-Barakah Restaurant. I think we got more (delicious) free food than food we ordered! That's when I heard my favorite words of any trip: "Mom, that was a good day, thanks," said Jeremy.

All these appetizers were free. After dinner they gave us complimentary tea and dessert.