Every square inch of Petra

Alarms rang at 5am so we would be the first tourists in Petra this morning at 6am. I loved beating the heat and the crowds. We learned about how the river was moved hundreds of years ago to protect the city from flooding. We followed the aqueduct they constructed, saw their defensive lookouts, and found ancient carvings at the entrance of the valley. We spent an hour learning even before we got to the treasury, which is the most famous carving in Petra. Wow! 

We have all seen pictures of Petra but it is really something to stand in the sand and look up. I loved the camels, donkeys, dogs, and cats that litter the ground. They are all really quit funny. We got lots of good pictures.

As you walk through Petra you can see all the tombs of the wealthy on the right and the not so wealthy on the left side of the canyon. We explored and climbed and had the freedom to go anywhere we wanted. We love that about most of the sites we visit. No guard rails, restricted access, or roped off attractions. Petra is open for you to explore…and we did. 

We visited the theatre and church before we made the very uphill climb to the monastery. The climb up is about half of the Manitou Incline and all the way up the Bedouin have shops and stands. You negotiate very uneven steps while avoiding donkey poop. It was hot and we were tired when we hit the top.

We cooled off and snacked while watching a cat and her very tiny three kittens. We know we can’t touch them, but some are just too precious. I think Alastair loves them the most, then Dagny, Magnolia, and me. Adelaide and Dave do not love them and give us stern looks if we get to close. 

The hike down from the monastery was easier and Dave, Alastair, and I decided to take the hike to the overhead view of the treasury while the girls spent more time rock climbing near the ground. They boys and I hiked straight up again for a grueling 20 minutes before we hit the top of the canyon for the much needed last 10 minutes to the overlook. You enter a Bedouin’s house to reach the edge and the view of the treasury. Yikes! Great view. Unbelievably exhausting. Alastair and I sat on the edge and enjoyed a Sprite and Diet Coke. Before we made the full hour hike down and out of Petra we left a McLains on the Road sticker at the top on the wall of that Bedouin’s hut along with so many others.

We left Petra at 3pm. We saw it all. We hiked 30,000 steps and 13 miles. Exhausting!

Jll