Journey of life: Petra Capital of Nabateans

Journey of life: Petra Capital of Nabateans: Petra the capital of Nabateans Leaving for Petra Early in the morning after breakfast we started for Petra. It’s a 4 hours drive  t...

Petra Capital of Nabateans

Petra the capital of Nabateans

Leaving for Petra

Early in the morning after breakfast we started for Petra.

It’s a 4 hours drive  to Petra from Amman. Our guide warned us about the terrain there. It’s a Nabatean archaeological site.

 Amman is situated on the height of 5 to 6000 feet above sea level . The roads and highways are in pretty good condition. This terrain and the houses around looked similar to Abbottabad and Hazara region of Pakistan.

We’re now entering Wadi Musa. This is a vast farming land which showed a lot of cultivation area. Our guide Nidal told us that most of the fruits, crops  and vegetables are grown in this area, therefore it is called the fruit basket of Jordan.

Petra means "The Red Rose City" and was occupied by Nabateans. There is a lot of history and stories about the excavation of Petra. I have heard about Petra and seen some pictures, however seeing by a naked eye is a different experience.

As we were approaching to Petra our tour leader briefed us that it 'd be better to ride on a  horse carriage instead of walking . The walk up to Petra Treasury was just 2-3 Kilometers . Though I love to walk, however because of my hurting legs of yesterday's fall, I and Yasmin decided to share a ride.

Some others too opted for a ride. It was $40 for a return ride for both of us. This area showed red rocks all around as in Sedona, Arizona . The dwellers  inhibited inside these caves and crafted the hills and rocks as their homes, dwellings, worship places and offices. They got solid stone walls and roofs in the caves from the rocks .

 As we entered at the entrance of Petra , a lot many horse carriages could be seen. We were hired one, it was quite a run down of a ride .Instead of having a seat for himself in front the horseman sat next to me. It could hardly accommodate three of us . I have experienced so many horse carriage  rides in Pakistan ( which we called Tanga) and princely rides in USA but never a disgusted one like this. It was a down the hill path with red dust and rocks around. The horse had an upset stomach , the foul stench was so strong that I wrapped up my nose. With full throttle we arrived in 10 minutes to Treasury.We had only 2-1/2 hours to stay here.There were thousands of tourists around. From here one could get camel or horse ride. We decided to walk around here which was a great fun. I took my walking cane for support.With intricate images carved on walls , it was a great fascination. After some time, Yasmine gave up and decided to sit in a corner. I proceeded further and wished to take advantage of time.A path was going up to Monastery and a lot of stairs going up and down to some other caves. With the constraint of time and with my handicap I only explored which was easy for me.

Around Petra

Our horse from back side

I have seen somehow similar dwellings in Mesa verde Colorado ,USA, however those were on high cliffs and they are called Cliff dwellers.

Petra more than a wonder:

Petra is more than 2000 years old , some of the history even goes down to 10000 years.

 Police on stroll

 A shopping centre inside Petra!

This building is called Treasury

This area covered around by huge rocks is called Siq.

It is not precisely known when Petra was built , but the city prosper as capital of Nabataeans Empire from 1st century BC, which grew rich through trade in Frankincense, Myrrh and spices.  Petra was later included into Roman Empire and continued to thrive until a large earthquake in 363  AD destroyed most of it. After earthquake the change of trade routs and commodities started the downfall of this area.in the middle of the 7th century , it mostly became deserted and lost in sands.

in 1812 a Swiss explorer named Johannes Burkhardt sat out to rediscover Petra. With the help of the local Beduins he discovered this lost ancient city.

The Nabataeans used to bury their dead in intricate tombs and the city had temples and after Byzantine influence a church and colonnade street could be seen.Petra lay hidden and lost for centuries in the mountains of Wadi Mousa . The Siq (  the wall of  giant rocks) did it's job of hiding this new 7Th wonder of the world.

Now this the  greatest tourist attraction in Jordan. I talked to few tourists  who were there from different parts of the world. Some of them staying in nearby hotels and had plans to explore Petra in detail. There is a candle lit night tour which take you to centuries old civilization.

The shops and hawkers were there to sell some souvenirs, jewelry, decoration items etc. I myself could n't resist to shop. For us there was so much to watch and do and then to stay with the group. When I got back some of the friends were really worried for me.

The famous Hollywood movie " Indiana Jones and the temple of Dooms" got shot  here. There are some musical performances and shows that take place here time to time.

The gross disappointment was the restrooms . In such an important and historical place those were typically broken with flush system out of order and water leaking here and there. A lady standing in the hall distributing some toilet paper was there just to collect money. I don't know why I felt so much embarrassed in front of the western tourists.

We waited for our Royal horse ride to bring us back , which shook and kneaded the body to the core. This brief tour of Petra is now Cherished in Memory.

Incredible experience to visit Petra.

Visited wadi Musa the springs which are said to be one on which Musa as hAd strucked his staff and the twelve springs of fresh water erupted. The water is flowing,clean and healthy, city is using it.

On our had a stop over for buffet supper at an authentic Jordanian restaurant . The stony structure with hay roof had a great contemporary look.

Then we stopped at the gift shop which had great Jordanian souvenirs.

Now we are back to hotel.

Tomorrow we will leave for Karak 

InshaAllah!

Back to Jordan

Back to Jordan

December 25,2018

After having  Shawarma lunch we proceeded to Syria refugee camp.

 The Syrian civil war which is between two faction of Syrian Muslims has forced  displaced Syrian to take refuge in neighboring countries and all around the world. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and displaced. With the intervention of superpowers the situation has been aggravated.  Imam Ahmad’s charity Mussadah helps this facility and we were supposed to provide donations to widows and orphans.

 With the organizer of Syrian women association!

The Human sufferings or I would say the Muslims suffering is so extensive all around the world. These atrocities and sufferings are heartbreaking always. Meeting these orphans and widows had the same effect. 

The smiles and looks on their faces were so comforting.I wish and pray that they are nicely settled or have a safe return back to their homes.

Later on we went to masjid Hussain area , offered our prayers and then did shopping in bazaar in front and around Masjid. Then proceeded to a Burger place for dinner.

December 26, 2018

Petra the capital of Nabateans

Leaving for Petra

Early in the morning after breakfast we started for Petra.

It’s a 4 hours drive  to Petra from Amman. Our guide warned us about the terrain there. It’s a Nabatean archaeological site.

 Amman is situated on the height of 5 to 6000 feet above sea level . The roads and highways are in pretty good condition. This terrain and the houses around looked similar to Abbottabad and Hazara region of Pakistan.

We’re now entering Wadi Musa. This is a vast farming land which showed a lot of cultivation area. Our guide Nidal told us that most of the fruits, crops  and vegetables are grown in this area, therefore it is called the fruit basket of Jordan.

Petra means "The Red Rose City" and was occupied by Nabateans. There is a lot of history and stories about the excavation of Petra. I have heard about Petra and seen some pictures, however seeing by a naked eye is a different experience.

As we were approaching to Petra our tour leader briefed us that it 'd be better to ride on a  horse carriage instead of walking . The walk up to Petra Treasury was just 2-3 Kilometers . Though I love to walk, however because of my hurting legs of yesterday's fall, I and Yasmin decided to share a ride.

Some others too opted for a ride. It was $40 for a return ride for both of us. This area showed red rocks all around as in Sedona, Arizona . The dwellers  inhibited inside these caves and crafted the hills and rocks as their homes, dwellings, worship places and offices. They got solid stone walls and roofs in the caves from the rocks .

 As we entered at the entrance of Petra , a lot many horse carriages could be seen. We were hired one, it was quite a run down of a ride .Instead of having a seat for himself in front the horseman sat next to me. It could hardly accommodate three of us . I have experienced so many horse carriage  rides in Pakistan ( which we called Tanga) and princely rides in USA but never a disgusted one like this. It was a down the hill path with red dust and rocks around. The horse had an upset stomach , the foul stench was so strong that I wrapped up my nose. With full throttle we arrived in 10 minutes to Treasury.We had only 2-1/2 hours to stay here.There were thousands of tourists around. From here one could get camel or horse ride. We decided to walk around here which was a great fun. I took my walking cane for support.With intricate images carved on walls , it was a great fascination. After some time, Yasmine gave up and decided to sit in a corner. I proceeded further and wished to take advantage of time.A path was going up to Monastery and a lot of stairs going up and down to some other caves. With the constraint of time and with my handicap I only explored which was easy for me.

Around Petra

Our horse from back side

I have seen somehow similar dwellings in Mesa verde Colorado ,USA, however those were on high cliffs and they are called Cliff dwellers.

Petra more than a wonder:

Petra is more than 2000 years old , some of the history even goes down to 10000 years.

 Police on stroll

 A shopping centre inside Petra!

This building is called Treasury

This area covered around by huge rocks is called Siq.

It is not precisely known when Petra was built , but the city prosper as capital of Nabataeans Empire from 1st century BC, which grew rich through trade in Frankincense, Myrrh and spices.  Petra was later included into Roman Empire and continued to thrive until a large earthquake in 363  AD destroyed most of it. After earthquake the change of trade routs and commodities started the downfall of this area.in the middle of the 7th century , it mostly became deserted and lost in sands.

in 1812 a Swiss explorer named Johannes Burkhardt sat out to rediscover Petra. With the help of the local Beduins he discovered this lost ancient city.

The Nabataeans used to bury their dead in intricate tombs and the city had temples and after Byzantine influence a church and colonnade street could be seen.Petra lay hidden and lost for centuries in the mountains of Wadi Mousa . The Siq (  the wall of  giant rocks) did it's job of hiding this new 7Th wonder of the world.

Now this the  greatest tourist attraction in Jordan. I talked to few tourists  who were there from different parts of the world. Some of them staying in nearby hotels and had plans to explore Petra in detail. There is a candle lit night tour which take you to centuries old civilization.

The shops and hawkers were there to sell some souvenirs, jewelry, decoration items etc. I myself could n't resist to shop. For us there was so much to watch and do and then to stay with the group. When I got back some of the friends were really worried for me.

The famous Hollywood movie " Indiana Jones and the temple of Dooms" got shot  here. There are some musical performances and shows that take place here time to time.

The gross disappointment was the restrooms . In such an important and historical place those were typically broken with flush system out of order and water leaking here and there. A lady standing in the hall distributing some toilet paper was there just to collect money. I don't know why I felt so much embarrassed in front of the western tourists.

We waited for our Royal horse ride to bring us back , which shook and kneaded the body to the core. This brief tour of Petra is now Cherished in Memory.

Incredible experience to visit Petra.

Visited wadi Musa the springs which are said to be one on which Musa as hAd strucked his staff and the twelve springs of fresh water erupted. The water is flowing,clean and healthy, city is using it.

On our had a stop over for buffet supper at an authentic Jordanian restaurant . The stony structure with hay roof had a great contemporary look.

Then we stopped at the gift shop which had great Jordanian souvenirs.

Now we are back to hotel.

Tomorrow we will leave for Karak 

InshaAllah!