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Israel and Jordan 1998

Trip to Israel and Jordan for the Feast of Tabernacles 1998

Part 3

We got up early on Tuesday (6 October) for our trip to Petra. When we arrived there we had the option of walking, riding on a horse or in a horse-drawn carriage. Most of us walked in. It was hot again, and we walked the 1,250 metres to the Siq (pronounced seek), a narrow passage with high rocks/mountains either side. We saw where people had earlier made shapes in the rocks of men and camels, only the bottom halves remained though. After another 850 metres we finally arrived at the most famous part of Petra, the treasury, a first century mausoleum for a king, built by the Nabateans. This place was also used as a location in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. However, I was disappointed to discover that the inside of the Treasury was nothing like it was in that film!

The Treasury in Petra, Jordan Walking out of the Siq out of Petra, Jordan

The treasury looked impressive on the outside, but inside were just empty chambers. Beyond this though were further buildings and tombs for rich and noble people all built by the Nabateans. They used much artwork, the best they saw in other cultures, copied into their own work and mixed together. We also saw lots of locals trying to sell trinkets, postcards, camel rides, etc. to the tourists who go there every day.

Camel ride, anyone? Only $3... (at the hotel) We returned to our coaches and then the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we set off for Wadi Rum, a valley in the Jordanian desert, with mountains and red sand and not much else. After the 2½-hour trip, we transferred from buses to jeeps and pickups, riding in the back of them across the desert where there are no roads. This was fun. We arrived eventually at a small siq with old inscriptions and pictures on the wall. Then we went to a small sand hill and sat on top. Our guides asked us to be silent for a few minutes to hear the silence of the desert, as we watched the sun set over the mountains. It was very quiet and peaceful, but I would not like to be there too long; the guide said people can go mad if they spend too long in the silence here. Also this was the location used for filming the movie about Lawrence of Arabia many years ago. It was peaceful here, I felt at peace and enjoyed being here.

Jeep ride across the desert at Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wall paintings at Wadi Rum, Jordan

After another packed full day we returned to the hotel for dinner. Along the way we told jokes on the coach and eventually most people fell asleep (due to lack of sleep the night before). It was a very enjoyable day, one of the highlights of the trip. Petra is definitely a place worth visiting again.

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