Wednesday, December 16, 2009

October 26-27 Amman, Petra, Aqaba and Egypt

Our stop in Amman was a disappointment because we arrived in the city late and left immediately the following morning. Amman is the capital of Jordan for crying out loud! I can't blame the tour organizers because they wanted to show us Petra in the limited time we were in Jordan. It was worth it... but at least, a half day tour of Amman before we hit the road to Petra would have been great. We saw a bit of the city on the way to our hotel and a little more after dinner for some of us who decided to go out on our own. Anyway, when we saw Petra...it was indeed the highlight of our Jordan visit.


Note the steps leading to a cave dwelling

Bab as-Siq (Gate of the Siq) or Outer Siq, a wide gravel road with a side for horses and a side for pedestrians.

The Siq, a mile-long narrow gorge that leads to the ancient rock city of Petra.

The Siq

The Siq

It is good that the gorge shaded us from the sun as we walked the Siq to the Treasury, the outline of which you can see in the background.

The Treasury!

The camels are always there for the tourists to ride and have their pictures taken for a fee LOL

A walk down to the Temple and the many caves all around

My wife got tired walking so she decided to ride a horse to the main gate LOL. I can't blame the "old lady" because the way back was a gentle uphill trudge under the sun.

Our hotel for the night at Aqaba

At Aqaba

Dinner under a tent, Arabian style.

Our entry to Egypt after crossing the Gulf of Aqaba via a slow ferry!

30 comments:

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

I'm trying to picture your arrival in Petra as if you're Indiana Jones out on a mission. But I guess the other hordes of tourists were feeling the same way.

BlogusVox said...

Greetings from the dunes of Saudi Arabia:

Merry Christmas, bro!!

Anonymous said...

i definitely included petra as one of my must-visit places in my list. ang husay ng photos! thanks for sharing.

...merry CHRISTmas to you and your family, bert! God bles.

dyosa said...

Stunning photos! Bring me with you next time...pretty please.

Happy Christmas to you! :D

Traveler on Foot said...

Merry Christmas BertN!

Ferdz said...

Petra looks astounding! I'm a sucker for sites like this and ancient civilizations. Thank you for taking us there BertN!

Merry Christmas and have a joyous celebration with your family :D

Ebie said...

Mang Bert, Meri Krismas, po! I wish I could be like you on my retirement age, to be on the same wonderful journey! You have shown us places through your pictures, without leaving an inch away!

May you and your family enjoy the holiday season and a prosperous 2010!

mhel said...

Awesome place! I'd like to visit there someday.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. :)

bertN said...

The Nomadic Pinoy, the Indiana Jones feeling did come to some and the Bataan Death March to the others LOL. Merry Christmas!

BlogusVox, from the beaches of California to the dunes of Saudi Arabia, Merry Christmas!

docgelo, Petra is worth a visit. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.

dyosa, you will always be a welcome company. Merry Christmas!

Traveler on Foot, Merry Christmas din sa 'yo!

Ferdz,there's a lot more there we didn't see. Maybe next time. Merry Christmas!

Ebie, don't wait till you retire, travel now whenever you can and travel more when you retire. Happy Holidays to you!

An Asian Traveler, I'm sure you'll find your way there in one of your travels. Have a Merry Christmas!

Photo Cache said...

I would love to see Petra someday.

Have a blessed Christmas with your precious family.

I have been a reader in your blog and always salivating at the destnations and trips you feature. Not always leaving a comment, but I'm here reading.

Lantaw said...

have a joyous and blessed Christmas!

bertN said...

Photo Cache, Petra is just a matter of time and priority for you. Thank you for being a frequent visitor to my blog. I think you are one of the three that I have LOL. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Lantaw, same to you and have a great New Year! I expect to see more wonderful pics from you this coming year and beyond.

Marites said...

this is a must-visit place for me since i've seen this in one of Indiana Jones' movies:D Your pics had me drooling!

Unknown said...

wow, what an adventure! those rocks are awesome. i've only seen Petra in national geographic and yes, Indiana Jones. amazing talaga!

wishing you a more adventurous New Year...good health and more wealth.:p

Reena said...

wow! super kakainggit!!! hihimatayin siguro ako pag nandyan ako. not because of the heat but bec of the excitement. hahaha. per mainit ba tlga? kaka-stress ang init eh.

grabe, i will definitely go there.

Merry Christmas!!!

nuts said...

wow, a thanks for sharing! wanna visit the place too!

dodong flores 도동 플로오리스 said...

Nice photos, nice experience I guess. The Arabian experience (or shall I say, adventure) that I only get to see in the movies. I'd like to experience it too :)

The feeling of being in Indiana Jones' movies while staring at the photos! Oh, well...

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you and family...

dyosa said...

Happy New Year to you and your family bertN!

Cheers to more travels and blessings for your this 2010!

Dennis Villegas said...

Great photos as usual Bert, you really have an eye for the best compositions.
Those sculptured buildings are truly magnificent!
Happy New Year, Bert!

Dennis Villegas said...

Great photos as usual Bert, you really have an eye for the best compositions.
Those sculptured buildings are truly magnificent!
Happy New Year, Bert!

Anonymous said...

cheers to more travel destinations and fun-filled 2010. happy new year, bertN! God bless!

eastcoastlife said...

My wishes for you,
Great start for Jan,
Love for Feb,
Peace for March,
No worries for April,
Fun for May,
Joy for June to Nov,
Happiness for Dec,
Have a lucky and wonderful 2010, BertN!

Sardonyx said...

wow breathtaking yun Siq, ganda ng pagkakakuha mo, parang gusto ko rin puntahan tuloy ang Jordan hehehe

thess said...

Awww!! beautiful captures! Impressive yung Siq and Treasury. I hope to see those someday.

Happy New Year nga po pala! (pasensha na at late sa pagbati)

ALiNe said...

One of my dream destination,... I love the pix of gate of siq

Panaderos said...

I'd love to visit that country someday! A belated Merry X'mas and a Blessed New Year to you and your loved ones! Take care always.

Traveler on Foot said...

I've seen the facade of the temple carved out a rock in Indiana Jones and the Transformers.

Amazing!

bertN said...

Marites, thanks for dropping by. The place is worth a visit.

luna miranda, more wealth? I am not even there yet. Not even by a long, long shot. Isang kahig, isang tuka ako and I liked it that way. Seriously!!

Reena, be sure to go there with your boyfriend or your OAO (one and only)pag himatayin ka, dahil kung malalaman na hinimatay ka sa arms ng iba ay baka mahimatay din s'ya or sila sa selos LOL.

nuts, thanks for dropping by.

dodong flores, you'll probably get a chance to experience it,too. At the same time, I'd like to experience your daily adventures which is more exciting.

dyosa, when do I get a chance to join your party to a foodie adventure?

Danny Villegas, coming from you that's a great complement though underserved.

docgelo, thanks! I do want to travel more this year than I did last year but everything depends on the state of my wallet LOL.

EastCoastLife,thank you very much!

Sardonyx,go whenever the travel bug hits you.

thess, thank you and a belated Happy New Year din sa iyo.

ALINe, thank you for dropping by.

Panaderos, you'll see it I'm sure. Thanks for dropping by.

Traveler on Foot, to be honest, I didn't really know the place is that contemporarily popular.

Ricky said...

I've been to middle east but not this part, I would love to see what you & camera saw.

Nice photos, love the wideness of the view.

julie said...

The Siq and the Treasury, all I can say is WOW.