April 21
We are docked in Aqaba, Jordon. Aqaba is a coastal city in the far south of Jordan, it is strategically important to Jordan as it is the country’s only seaport. We have a tour here that was on Betty’s bucket list, she booked it before we left. We almost cancelled it do to my breathing problems and the fact that the tour guide stated that those who sign up for the daylong shore excursion to Petra should expect a strenuous walking tour covering three to five miles. Petra may not be as famous as the Acropolis or the ruins of Pompeii but it ranks among the great monuments of Antiquity. Perhaps the most majestic and intriguing archaeological sites in the Middle East, the “lost city” is carved in vivid red sand stone, this ancient city boasts numerous monuments including the Khazneh, a tomb carved into the cliff face, the 3,000 seat Roman Theater, and the Royal Tombs, which are carved into the face of Jebel Khubtha, a sandstone mountain.
We were up at 4:30 and had a light breakfast as our tour left at 7:30 and we had a 2 hour bus ride to Petra. Eleven buses were going just from our ship, in excess of 500 people. Cost of the tour was $219.00 per person, over $100,000.00 spent. Since there were so many buses, we made a stop at a place to take some pictures of the beautiful desert valley. Of course there was a gift shop where we bought a Christmas ornament. On the continued drive we saw many Bedouin tents and camels roaming everywhere. The Bedouin’s herd sheep and goats as well as do some farming. It is hard to believe people still live as nomads.
We really lucked out with the weather as it was forecasted by the ship to be 93 degrees, but yesterday I checked online and saw it was going to be 75. I wasn’t sure who to believe, but early this morning it was actually cold as we sailed to the dock, we even took a couple jackets with us that we never wore.
We finally arrived at Petra at 10:00 a.m. From the bus lot we walked to the gate of Petra, of course the walk included walking past trinket stands and kids selling postcards, necklaces and bracelets. They were not bad, if you said no they walked away. But they first would show you a nice looking item and say $1.00 but if you showed interest the price would be higher and if you say, you said it was $1.00 they would show a inferior item you would not take for free. We reached the gate, our tour guide gave us our tickets, he told us we had a 1 mile walk to the “Siq” which is the narrow gorge and entrance to Petra. It was all downhill, a gradually grade and it was a easy walk except for the unevenness of the cobblestone area and the sandy area with many loose stones. We had to be very careful. Plus they had mules that were pulling carts to take people down, and would coming storming down the path, and as our tour guide pointed out they didn’t have brakes. They also had mules that would take you down, but they smelled bad, I mean really bad. They also had horses but they were not very tame.
Once we enter the Siq our tour guide would stop at intervals so people would catch up. I would have liked to go on our own but that would have been a mistake because we would have missed many things. Some of the rock walls were 600 feet tall. We walked through the portion that was used in filming Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Portions of the Siq were no more than 16 feet wide. The Siq was very interesting and beautiful. The Siq was approximately 1/2 mile long.
Entering the Siq
Tour Guide and Vendors Walking thru the Siq
As we came to the end the tour guide told us to stay to the left, I think he did this so when we stepped out of the Siq, we would get the best view of the “Khazneh” known as the Treasury. And what a view it was!
Pretty amazing that this was not discovered until 1812, as the only entrance way was thru the Siq. The desert Bedouins were the only group aware of Petra until it was rediscovered by Europeans just two centuries ago. The condition is amazing. It is actually an ancient tomb carved from solid sandstone. Legend has it that pirates left treasure in the urn that sits on it’s upper level. The bullet marks on the urn were made by treasure seekers trying to shoot the urn open. One of the main reason of it’s great condition is because the way it was located it never gets rained upon. Truly amazing!
Betty standing with Treasury Guards
Bill with Tab Hunter by the Treasury
Camels at the Treasury
Security
We then headed for the Roman Amphitheater a 8,000 seat amphitheater was carved out of the rock, but today archaeologists believe it wasn’t carved by the Romans but by the Nabatean people in the second century BC. Who ever did it, it was a amazing feat.
Betty at the Amphitheater
At this point we left the tour group and decided to head to the resort where we were having lunch, it was near the entrance to Petra. It was a long walk and almost all of it was uphill. We were holding out pretty, I didn’t mention but Richard came along with us on this tour because he was by himself. He tends to stray at times. The gradually incline wasn’t to bad, we stopped and rested a couple times for a couple minutes. I was breathing pretty heavy but not stressed from it. Betty is just amazing, she is strong woman even with her MS. Richard was doing very good, he is in his 80’s. I hope I can still do this in my 80’s. Some people could not make it and used the carts out of necessity, the cost was $40.00 just from the entrance to the Siq to the Main gate. Betty and I were determined to make it. The problem with this stretch was that it was totally in the sun, with no shade available. It was hot in the direct sun and we all struggled to the entrance gate. We were relieved we made it. Once we got out of the gate, we could see the Movenpick resort and my pace picked up as I could smell the beer that was available.
Once at the resort, and after finally seated because Richard strayed away again. I ordered a beer, she said it was included in the meal but then she came back and apologized for the error. After she told us that the beers were $13.00, everyone cancelled their order for beer and drank tea and coffee. Betty’s coke was $6.00, but she said it was well worth it. I thought my beer was so good I ordered another. I can not understand how people can spend $50,000 for a cruise and not pay for a beer or coke. I could not drink coffee or tea after walking thru the desert.
Enjoying a Cold Amstel Beer
Not sure what we ate beside the Pulled Camel and Kubba and rice. It wasn’t very good but the beer was cold!
Once done with lunch we boarded the bus and after a couple hours we were back at the ship at 5:15 p.m. And at 6:00 we sailed out of the port of Aqaba and into the Gulf of Aqaba. We set a south-westerly course and will maintain it until after midnight we will enter the Strait of Tiran and once clear of the strait we will enter the Read Sea again and set a south south westerly heading towards Safaga.
