petra

Photo: The Horses of Petra

March 2, 2012 By Danny

When we finally got our chance to visit Petra, Jordan, the moment we crossed through the Siq and could see the Treasury for the first time was simply unforgettable. Next thing thing we noticed, mostly because they’d been traveling alongside us for the prior 20 minute walk, were these horse and buggys making the trip as well. I must have sat for a full 20 minutes trying to get this exact shot only to have it ruined by that fellow in a red shirt and his backpack!

IF YOU GO: Plan to buy the two day pass and spend the night in the area. Most tourists come through on a bus tour and spend one full day during daylight hours, which is plenty of time. If you give yourself the time of a two-day pass you can sleep in, arrive in the afternoon when the crowds have already dispersed, and by the time you’re ready to leave at nightfall you’ll have the place completely to yourself!

To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo series.

Photo: Petra’s Siq

December 19, 2011 By Danny

I don’t think anyone in the world can forget the first time they walked through the Siq to find Petra‘s famous Treasury. The mystique of the parting canyon giving way to a beautifully rock-hewn structure is simply unmatched anywhere in the world. Add to the fact that you’ve been walking quite a ways to get there already and the anticipation only adds to the allure.

I wanted to do my best to capture that feeling and on our way out, with the light hitting the treasury just right, I took a good 20 minutes and took the picture of each and every horse and carriage that came by. In this one I also caught a tourist standing there, marveling at the structure. I’m not sure if that makes it feel more or less authentic but I can’t help to see him with that carriage racing by and feel what he’s feeling at that exact moment.

IF YOU GO: Stay at the hotel, sleep in, relax. The best tip we got is this one….go around lunchtime. You’ll still find it crowded but if you continue to the Monastery at the far end of Petra then you’ll find few people to share the site with. As you walk back, go leisurely, and enjoy the place mostly to ourselves. By the time we got back to the Treasury there were only a handful of people around, all the tours had left already. If you go on a night where they’re doing Petra at night, on your way out you’ll get to experience Petra at night (which we were told was not worth the steep price) for free. We went back the next day on our two-day pass and suggest you do the same.
You can find last minute deals on packages to Petra that go through neighboring Israel or Egypt if you want to make a big tour of it.

To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo of the day series.

Photo: Petra’s Caves

June 27, 2011 By Jillian

There are few ceilings as beautiful in the world as inside the caves of Petra. Even Michelangelo’s work in my opinion doesn’t compare to the soft movement of the sandstone caves in Petra. The incredible tones of red, orange and white are characteristic of Nubian Sandstone, which is common throughout North Africa and Arabia.

Carved out by hand, the caves served as tombs for the Nabataeans. Some entrances remain intricately carved with architectural detail, while others have had their architectural splendor worn away over time. We found the caves and colors to be magnificent at sunset and the last of the day’s light bounced off the rocks giving the site a warm orange glow.

“It seems no work of Man’s creative hand,
by labour wrought as wavering fancy planned;

But from the rock as if by magic grown,
eternal, silent, beautiful, alone!

Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine,
where erst Athena held her rites divine;

Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane,
that crowns the hill and consecrates the plain;

But rose-red as if the blush of dawn,
that first beheld them were not yet withdrawn;

The hues of youth upon a brow of woe,
which Man deemed old two thousand years ago,

match me such marvel save in Eastern clime,
a rose-red city half as old as time. “- John William Burgon (1845)

To see more of our favorite photos from around the world check out our travel photo page. Let us know your favorites and we’ll include them in our photo of the day series.

IF YOU GO: We spent two days exploring Petra and probably could have spent longer. Purchase the two day pass, the upcharge is nominal and you’ll appreciate having the extra time, especially if it’s crowded on your first day. We loved exploring inside the carved out caves, they were a nice and shady place to rest, although some of them are still used by local bedouin (trust me, you’ll know which ones!). We love caves because they tend to be unique. Those in Petra were hand carved from the sandstone, but around the world there are caves man made and natural, made from all different types of rock. Even if you’re looking for something less adventurous like a beach vacation or taking all inclusive resort style holidays to Mauritius or another island, there are bound to be caves nearby worth a look!

You can read more IF YOU GO tips on Petra on our original post <here>.

Photo Tuesday: Petra’s Treasury

December 21, 2010 By Jillian

We spent hours wandering Petra. Thanks to a tip from a friend of ours, we arrived in Petra in the afternoon when the tour groups were already leaving. Hiking around sunset, we returned to the Treasury hoping to catch the lighting at the perfect time. The tourists were gone and the camel driver was leaving for the night. Everything sort of came together and we got this picture, which we think captures the feeling of Petra.

Photo: The Horses of Petra

Photo: Petra’s Siq

Photo: Petra’s Caves

Photo Tuesday: Petra’s Treasury

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