Visit Petra: Magnificent Site of the Last Crusade
Located in the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataen Empire between 400 BC and AD 106.
My first question?
Who the heck were the Nabataens?
Brilliant, savvy, artisanal nomadic Arabs who performed engineering feats of singular merit.
Some scholars feel that the ancient Nabataean gods may have become: Al-Qaum, the male god of the night (moon), Dushara, the god of the day (sun) and the goddess Al-Uzza (stars). Given the carvings and symbols of Petra, I’d say this makes sense.
Slaves did not build Petra. Like the pyramids of Egypt, Nabatean society was largely egalitarian for its time, and labor was mostly paid for.
An enlightened culture! What happened to them?
According to Wikipedia, during the reign of Aretas III (87 to 62 BC) the kingdom seems to have reached its territorial zenith; it was defeated by a Roman army under the command of Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. As trade moved to other parts of the empire, the Nabataens became more impoverished and much of their fabulous city crumbled.
Amazingly, the city sat empty and in near ruin for centuries. Then, in the 1800s a Swiss traveler disguised himself in Bedouin costume and infiltrated this mysterious locale with the help of a local guide. After returning to Switzerland, he announced his findings to the world. Several scenes from the epic adventures of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed in Petra.
Recently, I spent the day in this archaeological wonder, entering by following the crack in the high walled rock passageway, the Siq.
The Treasury
The route seems endless. But just as patience and endurance reached a low point, I entered a large, crazy-busy square in view of the most impressive of Petra’s sights, The Treasury, known locally as Al Khazneh. Carved out of iron-laden sandstone to serve as a tomb, The Treasury gets its name from the wrongly held belief that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure in the top urn. In fact, chips from the bullet holes made by early would-be robbers of the site are visible in many of the urn-like carvings. It is, in fact, an elaborate and elegantly carved mausoleum.
From The Treasury, the way broadens into the Outer Siq and a collection of more than forty tombs known as the Street of Facades. I continued on to the 7000-seat Theatre, paying a local guide about $15 to hoist me up on the path to a hilltop altar called the High Place of Sacrifice. This is a steep but manageable climb with amazing views. But not for those with a fear of heights or knee problems!
After about four hours of walking and marveling, I was ready for a break. Two options available here: a camel ride (I am so not a fan of these fly-ridden, smelly, grouchy and why wouldn’t they be?) beasts of burden, or a ride in an 8-passenger covered cart. I hopped on a cart and headed back up to The Treasury, which turned out to be the main commercial center of the area. Then I waited with the other tired, hot and hungry tourists for a ride on a second cart back to the entrance. Four hours to get down, thirty minutes to ride up. Smart and manageable. One of the Seven Wonders of the World not to be missed, with or without Indiana as a guide.
If you make it to this wonderful country, Petra is a must-see destination worth a full day’s time. I recommend staying at the Moevenpick Nabataen Castle Hotel directly across from the entrance to Petra’s sights.
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Dress up night!
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country`s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight.
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru live direct descendents of the ancient Inca people, invaded by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500`s. This indigenous group of people are called the Q`ueros.
#abroadtravelingabroad #incahistory #incatrail #peru #sacredvalley #seniortravel #shaman #soloseniortravel #solotravel #womentravelingsolo
Although the trail to the remarkable Inca engineering and cultural achievement called Machu Picchu is Peru`s most famous destination, Cañon del Colca, or Colca Canyon is a grand and extraordinary experience...one not to miss!
#abroadtravelingabroad #colcavalley #condors #peru #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel
We did it! #Machupicchu #incatrail #wiracocha #abroadtravelingabroad #hirambingham #sevenwonders
Sacred Valley of the Incas #ollyantaytambo #peru #wiraquocha #abroadtravelingabroad
Near Saqsayhuaman Inca site #shaman #shamanism #perushaman #healingrituals #abroadtravelingabroad
Island life #uros #urosfloatingislands #laketiticacaperu #Peru #abroadtravelingabroad
Colca Valley #condors #chivay #andes #andeancondor #abroadtravelingabroad #peru #inca #incatrail #colcacanyon
A day in Arequipa, La Ciudad Blanca #santacatalinamonastery #laiglesiadelacompañíadejesús #elmisti #ceviche #peru
Croatia`s Secret Genius: Sculptor, Artist, Designer...Meet my friend Ivan Midzic
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Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of grocery store wannabe sushi.
Not any more.
#abroadtraveingabroad #bestsushiever #keioplazahotel #kuybeyrestaurant #nigiri #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #sushi #tokyo #travelsafetyabroad #womentravelingsolo
Thousands of vermilion Torii gates blazing in the August sun which straddle a network of trails behind its main shrines. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
#abroadtravelingabroad #FushimiInariTaisha #kyoto #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shinto #soloseniortravel #solotravel #toriigates #womentravelingsolo
A morning walk along the Miyagawa River finds farmers and craftspeople selling sansai (mountain vegetables), wasakana (river fish) along with selections of local pottery and vintage kimonos repurposed as ornate handbags and a subtle rainbow of silk jackets.
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7th Annual Hawthorne Family Cooking Class #chefalyssas #thaifood #familytime
An afternoon at Tokyo`s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food.
https://abroadtravelingabroad.com/japans-ultimate-shopping-experience-at-tsukiji-and-nishiki-markets/
Maiko Performance #Kyoto #maiko #geishamakeup #japan #abroadtravelingabroad
Kyoto #🈲 #abroadtravelingabroad #goldenpavilion #kimono
Bullet train to Kyoto station late afternoon. Massive complex with floors packed with luxury designer shops, restaurants and 10 floors of the Isetan department store! Kyoto Tower replicates a lighthouse design. Looking forward to its topmost view tomorrow. @abroadtravelingabroad
Hello Kyoto #kyoto #kyotostation #everythingyouneed #abroadtravelingabroad #japaneseculture #japanesefood #japanesefashion
Brian Shaw | 15th Aug 22
HI Pam,
From one nomad to another I admire your curiosity and courage to undertake solo traveling, especially in these times. I have been following your journey on face book with awe and envy. Petra and Jerusalem are tops on my list if I ever return to the middle east. Although traveling alone may at times be lonely (always great to share our experiences) I imagine it affords you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the culture and history of those who walked before us. It so enriches the soul. THANKS