Exploring Petra in Jordan
We made it to the hotel just in time to have yet another lamb, hummus and pita bread dinner. The food in
Jordan is pretty much same as everywhere else in the Middle East. Lots of lamb, some chicken and maybe fish. Lamb is cooked with saffron rice, eggplants and potatoes in a huge pot, kept in the oven for hours and, I have to say, it is very tasty. Fish is usually fried and fresh, chicken can be fried or baked. They are always served with lots of salad and humus and babaganoush.However, there is something as too much of a good thing.
After dinner we all go to our rooms and get ready for the amazing Petra at night walk. It is organized 3 times a week and it is pretty much walking through this amazing place at night all the way from the entrance to the Treasury. The walk takes about 30 minutes and one must bring a flash light and hiking shoes and a warm jacket. The path consists of ancient cobblestones, and aslippery sand surface. After dark the desert gets cool. Once we arrive at the Treasury we see 100’s of candles lit. Its magical. The Bedouin family which overlooks Petra has long carpets on the floor and we are all invited to sit down. After everyone is seated the music starts followed by story telling. We were offered delicioushot herbal tea. The music is a bit too long winded!
I cant wait to come back and see it all in daylight. We walk back and fall asleep – Happy.
Next morning we leave the hotel with much anticipation and we get to the Petra site by daylight. Today we get to spend the whole day at this most amazing antique city. As we start walking we see many horses and donkeys, which one can pick up for a small tip to cut down on the walking; or pick up a horse carriage for about $45.00, Yes it is expensive but it is great for people who would otherwise not be able to see this site. I am happy to walk.
Petra will give you the most beautiful pictures so it is a good idea to walk. Spending the whole day in this ancient city of Nabeatens is such rare treat. Petra has very few stand alone buildings. It is mostly carved into pink rock. Inside the buildings the rock is marbled with many colors. One wonders how beautiful a stone can be!!!! It is warm and dusty but one does not want the day to end. We go up and down the stairs exploring one building after another.
At the end of the day its time for a Turkish Bath. I have to say there is something great about someone constantly pouring warm water over your body and washing it. I really enjoy this relaxing ritual. The massage at the end is just perfect to take my sores away.
The next day it’s time for a jeep ride at the Wadi Rum. Beautiful valley with impressive stone formations. Hikers paradise. Many tented accommodations throughout – it is definitely worth spending the night under the stars before your early morning hike.
This afternoon we leave Wadi Rum for Aqaba only one hour’s ride, and the only seafront town Jordan has. The Red Sea glimmers with all its glory. Aqaba looks like any small Mediterranean town but this one boasts several very good 4-star hotels such as the brand new Moevenpick. Great for families with small children and the contemporary Kempinski for the hip and the cool – with a beautiful lap pool. Aqaba is pretty much the Hawaii of the region gearing itself up to become a convention center for medium-sized companies. Across the water is Aqaba’s much larger Israeli sister town, Eilat.
We leave Aqaba with a warm heart and fly off to Amman with the Royal Jordanian Airlines. I think this airline has the most comfortable airline seats anywhere. The sand and red colored leather seats give the private jet feel. What else can we ask for on a 30-minute flight.
Upon arrival in Amman the Four Seasons, the only 5-star hotel in Jordan, awaits us for a good night’s sleep before our flight back home. I loved every minute of Jordan.
Ayse Boykin
ayse.b@travelstoreusa.com
Tags: Aqaba, Ayse Boykin, Jordan, Petra, Wadi Rum
