Jordan
Mar 29-Apr 3, 2018
AC876 YYZ-FRA, LH692 FRA-AMM, LH693 AMM-FRA, AC873 FRA-YYZ
I’ve been wanting to visit Petra for some time, and took advantage of some low-cost business class tickets from Toronto to Amman, Jordan, to build our trip around. Air Canada had recently opened a new, fancy, business-class lounge only available to paid business class passengers. The Signature Lounge has complementary, high-end restaurant-quality food with table service, that allowed us to get in all of our eating and drinking before departing, and sleep on the flight. We were only very briefly in Amman, before heading to Petra and the surrounding dessert. Petra more than lived up to our expectations, and we really enjoyed the time in Jordan.
Mar 31
After our very early morning arrival in Amman and a bit of sleep, we made our way to Petra to have a good portion of the afternoon to explore the ancient city.
Wadi Musa town above Petra
1st century Djinn Blocks squat monuments
Obelisk Tomb, one of the first tombs
1.2km Siq (or Canyon) with its 200m high walls is the entrance to the hidden city
More of the incredible canyon and anticipating the Treasury that awaits
The Treasury is the first tomb that appears as we exit the Siq
Horse for those that prefer to avoid the walk
One of numerous tombs cut into the mountain
Amphitheatre carved from the solid rock, originally built over 2000 years ago, but later enlarged by the Romans
Urn Tomb built around 70AD
Mountain goat
Palace Tomb in the Royal tombs on the hillside
Broader perspective on the Urn Tomb
Camel appointed for his tourist transportation duties
Expressive Camel
Last look at the Treasury as the day is ending
Afternoon crowds put the Treasury size into perspective
Horse and carriage for transporting those not wanting to walk the canyon
Making our way through the Siq and back to the entrance
One last look at Obelisk Tomb before we exit Petra
Sunset over the Petra Valley
Apr 1
After a quiet night at our hotel near Petra, we headed out early to go back to Petra, hike, and explore more of the Ancient Valley, and then go onto Wadi Rum.
Morning caravan of tourists making their way to Petra
Morning sunlight over the Siq
Standing in front of the Treasury
Hiking our way up to the High Palace of Sacrifice
At the High Palace
Looking down on the Royal Tombs
Obelisk near the High Palace
Mountain goat joins us on the way down
Garden Tomb
Inside the Garden Tomb
Renaissance tomb
Broken Pediment Tomb
Tombs in al-Biyara mountain
Colanaded Street in Petra City Centre
Nabathaean and Roman Houses above the city centre
Petra Museum cut into the rock
Hiking towards the Monastery
Procession of donkeys brings supplies to the Monastery
Far bigger than the Treasury, the Monastery (50m wide and 45m high), is the most impressive structure in Petra
Restaurants competing for the tourist trade
Looking across the valley towards the Dead Sea from one of the best views
A broader perspective on the Monastery shows how it was carved out of the mountain in the 3rd century BC
Final look before we hike back towards the main valley and the exit
Fully loaded donkey
Curious goat
Another goat
The Temple of Qasar Al-Bint built in 30 BC
Tom continuing his study of camals
Camel resting
Carriage rushing back to pick up the next round of tourists
Mountains of Wadi Rum
Exploring the valley in Wadi Rum
Road cutting through the Wadi
Looking towards Israel on the Kings Highway, back to our hotel near Petra
More of the barren desert landscape
Approaching Petra along the mountain road
Apr 2
Having made the most of our time in and around Petra, it was time to head back towards Amman. On the way down, we went the most direct routing, but took a slower pace back along the King’s Highway.
Standing above Petra near our hotel
Surrounding countryside around Shobak Castle
Castle Ruins
Some of the arches still surviving from original construction in 1115
Broad perspective of Shobak Castle from below
The more fully restored Karak Castle towers over the town below
Arches on the outer wall
Selection of tunnels beneath Karak Castle
After arriving in Amman, Tom was exhausted from the day of driving, but I took the time to explore a bit of the city. As our flight left at 03:10 am on Apr 3, we turned in early to get a bit of rest before taking an Uber to the airport.