Petra Jordan wasn’t voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the world for nothing! It really is one of those places that lives up to the hype.
Petra Jordan is one of the most magnificent ancient cities on earth. We had the chance to visit it both at night and during the day and it definitely lived up to the hype.
While many people only pop into Petra for a short visit on a day tour, we suggest spending time at the ruins.
Going to Jordan? You may want to read
We had two days to explore and we feel that we could have used even more time. The Petra Archaeological Park is 65 acres and there is a lot to cover when you start your tour through the entrance of the siq.
Dave and I had a private guide take us through the city and it was an excellent way to stay one step ahead of the crowd and to easily find the best vantage points to see all the beautiful rock cut facades.
Things to do in Petra, Jordan
1. The Siq of Petra
The Siq is a 1.2 km long passage slicing through rocks reaching 80 meters into the air.
The Siq (another name for a gorge) did its job well, hiding this mysterious wonder. Nobody knew where the entrance was.
Today it is the main entrance to the extraordinary ruins where visitors can either walk down or take a horse and buggy.
2. Bab el Siq
Bab el Siq is the Gate of the Siq. It is the modern entrance to Petra and the beginning of the walkway taking you from the visitor’s center to the Treasury.
Be sure to take your time and stop at the Obelisk Tomb. It is impressive being the first tomb that you see.
It’s sort of a smaller, rougher version of the Treasury and is a really cool thing to see before we get into the ancient city center.
3. Djin Blocks
The Djinn Blocks are one of the first monuments you’ll see along your journey.
They were built in the 1st century AD by the Nabataeans.
Very little is known about the three-block tombs, but it is believed to be funerary monuments.
4. Petra at Night
Our first introduction to Petra was actually Petra by night. We arrived the day before our tour of the ruins to enter the Treasury after dark.
We walked along the Siq following a candlelit path on the original stones dating back to 1000 BC.
It was a beautiful and ethereal experience seeing the walls of the siq rising in the dark. It led us to the Treasury lit with thousands of candles where we watched a traditional Bedouin performance takes place.
While the actual performance was less than stellar, the walk through the Siq at night was awe-inspiring.
If you can do Petra at Night before visiting the city by day, we highly recommend it.
About Petra at Night
- Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday so time your trip around those days.
- The performance lasts 2-hours.
- Hot tip: Don’t spend too long walking through the Siq, try to get to the front of the crowd for the best views of the performance.
- And be sure to stay after the crowds leave to photograph the Treasury free from shadows and heads.
- Dress warm. Petra is set in a desert environment, so once the sun goes down it gets cold quickly.
6. Take a Horse and Carriage to Petra
After our evening the night before, we were excited to see it again in the sunlight.
We awoke bright and early to beat the crowds for our leisurely walk along the siq.
While walking up the path, we saw horses run past us.
Later that day, we were told that a horse ride was included in our entrance fee.
Horses and buggies take you from the visitor’s center to the entrance of the Siq or return.
I think that would have been the coolest experience to take a horse and carriage through the siq just as the ancient bedouins must have done for hundreds of years.
7. The Treasury
We spent quite a while at the Treasury as there are so many vantage points to see Petra’s star attraction.
We feel that the treasury is the most impressive site in Petra, for one, it is the first really intact facade.
It was believed that the Treasury held many treasures within it and you can still see bullet holes on the outside from when Bedouin tribesmen tried to storm the building and steal the treasures within.
While Dave explored taking photographs, I sat with our guide Ali as he told me the history of the Nabataeans.
A Petra History Lesson
Petra was built by the Nabataeans over 2000 years ago when it was an important stop on the Silk Route to China and India.
Petra was a flurry of activity with camel caravans stopping frequently en route to the Far East.
It remained under the Nabataean rule until 100 AD when the Romans invaded.
An earthquake struck Petra in 363 AD and devastated the city. It was slowly abandoned over time until it was finally conquered in 663.
It deteriorated over time as its importance on the trade route became less important and it was eventually lost by the 12th century.
Bedouins had used this place since the 3rd century BC, but it lay hidden to outsiders until a mere 200 years ago.
Surprisingly, the Ancient City of Petra was unknown to the Western world. It wasn’t until 1812 that it was “discovered” by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
Since then, it has become the country’s premier tourist attraction attracting visitors seeking a glimpse of the lost city.
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, it was also given the honor as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World!
8. Street of Facades
As we venture from the Treasury, the Siq opens up to a wide opening known as the Outer Siq.
It is lined with Nabataean Tombs.
The facades are impressive false faces on the front of the tombs. It’s an incredible sight to see the different stages of erosion causing the sand to look like smooth waves in the desert.
9. High Palace Sacrifice
The high palace of the sacrifice is a half-hour climb to the summit of Attuf Ridge. It is a great spot to walk up upon the cliffs for a better vantage point of the ruins.
Plus, these are one of the best-preserved sacrifice places of any of the ancient cities on earth.
10. View of Petra Al-Khubtha Trail
The best part of exploring Petra is to find pathways for better viewpoints.
This view is from the Al-Khubtha Trail and a side view where kids act as guides to take you to the top are great vantage points for seeing the Treasury.
11. Columns of the Great Temple
The Great Temple is a complex covering 7,560 square meters.
Walking through this complex lets you experience great examples of architectures, facades, and frescoes from the Nabatean period.
12. Royal Tombs
The walk to the Royal Tombs involves scrambling up rocks, ducking through caves and getting lost in passageways.
This route takes us to the top of a stone mountain overlooking the complex.
It is here that we see the paths to both the high sacrifice and the Monastery. We can also look down at the Petra Theatre.
There are different tombs to see such as the Palace Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, Silk and Urn Tombs.
The Urn Tomb dates back to 70 AD and it was converted into a church in 447 AD.
13. Petra Monastery
To us, The Monastery is the most impressive building of the entire complex.
Reaching 50 meters into the air, The Petra Monastery also the largest in all of Petra.
Dating back to the 1st century B.C. it is worth the 45-minute hike to the top.
Not only will you be treated to this majestic structure, but you will also view magnificent panoramic views of the valleys and rocky landscape of the area of Wadi Araba.
Tips to seeing the Petra Monastery
Don’t waste time upon your arrival at Petra.
You will be tempted to slowly wander around the ruins after witnessing the first and most famous building The Treasury.
Instead, head directly to the Monastery right after you have thoroughly explored the Treasury.
You will want to get there early before the tour groups arrive. And by 10 am the place is packed.
People will tell you to wait until later in the afternoon, but by then it will be too late.
The crowds will have already amassed and you won’t have a chance to see anything in peace and quiet.
Instead, go to the Monastery before noon and you will be able to capture this treasure free and clear.
- Contrary to popular belief, we found the conditions to be perfect for photography.
Once you have checked out the remarkable vistas and viewpoints near the Monastery, you will then be free and clear to enjoy the rest of Petra at your leisure for the rest of the day.
- Tip: You can also hire a donkey to take you up to the Monastery if the climb is too much for you.
14. Petra Theatre
This 3000 seat amphitheater looks to be Roman architecture but was actually build by the Nabateans in the 1st century.
There are countless monuments and it is hard to believe that much of Petra was destroyed during a massive earthquake hundreds of years ago.
Imagine what this great city looked like in its prime?
15. Rock Tombs and Caves
Imagine what this great city looked like in its prime?
Each one of these caves was filled with life and laughter.
16 View at the End of the World
Following the trail from the Petra Monastery, we came upon a sign stating The View of the End of the World.
I’ve always wondered what the end of the world looked like, so we marched on.
This is what the ancient people must have thought was a view of the end of the world.
It doesn’t look like an inviting landscape I would want to explore. But it is certainly beautiful.
17. Views of Petra
There seemed to be nothing beyond the borders of Petra.
One would think that people would see no reason to leave the safety of this secluded city that was once the crown jewel of the Middle East.
Gazing towards the horizon I could almost imagine a camel caravan descending upon the city.
Petra would be a welcoming sight after a long journey through the arid landscape and as I stood atop the mountain, I had visions of the generations who came before me.
What did they think as they stood in this exact location gazing over the desert while admiring the beauty of the monastery below?
18. People of Petra
One of the most popular people in the entire complex is a dashing man who sits in front of the Treasury.
He’s a local Bedouin who lives in the nearby caves.
He is pestered all day long by tourists wanting a photo with him or his camels. Looking at him, I can understand why.
He is the epitome of what a person thinks of when traveling to an exotic place like Jordan.
His striking eyes peer playfully from behind his keffiyeh (traditional headscarf) as he sits in his long robes beside his decorated camel.
We learn that many people still live in the surrounding villages and that the families who work in Petra are granted permission to stay there.
People no longer live in Petra Caves
But people don’t live in the caves anymore.
After some investigation, we found out that people are no longer allowed to live in the caves and have been moved to a nearby village by the Jordanian government.
19. Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is the town at Petra and jumping-off point for visiting the ancient city.
It is a shame to miss exploring the town if you are in the area. We took a traditional cooking class when visiting Wadi Musa and it’s an excellent way to get to know the Jordanian cuisine.
Wadi Musa is home to the world’s oldest bar located in a rock tomb dating back 2000 years. Make sure to have a drink at the Cave Bar.
Petra has long been a popular spot on the backpacker trail, so there are plenty of guesthouses, bars, and shops to spend your time exploring the town.
20. Little Petra
Little Petra is better known as Siq al Barid and is often visited in conjunction with a tour of Petra.
It is much smaller than Petra (hence the name) but it is also reached by walking through a siq and it is believed to have been the suburbs of Petra.
The main attraction here is the Frescoes and the fact that it is much quieter and less busy than Petra making for a quiet escape.
And that is everything we did and saw at Petra Jordan. If you have the chance to visit this ancient city, take it.
It was one of the most impressive ruins we have ever visited.
Hot Tip for Visiting Petra – Don’t Arrive Too Early
It turned out, we needed the extra time to walk along the Siq because we arrived at the Treasury too early.
We had to wait for the sun to make its way over the high cliffs. So it gave us extra time to explore the Siq and its monuments along the way.
Be sure to look on the ground to find the water canals along the route used for drainage.
The crowd was sparse at this time of the day so we managed to really get the chance to explore it free from too many bodies.
Most History of Petra is Speculation
Ali told me that much of what we know about Petra is speculation.
The Treasury was named so because it was believed to have treasures hidden inside.
They say, the Bedouins used to shoot at the facade because they thought that Pharaoh put his gold and treasures there.
The official from Petra Jordan tourism told Dave that even his father used to shoot at it.
You can still see the bullet holes on its facade today.
Petra Jordan in the Movies
In 1989, Hollywood chose Petra as a film location for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Most recently we have seen Petra featured in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen.
Other movies that used Petra for a location are The Mummy Returns, Queen of the Desert, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Samsara, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.
Ricky Gervais’ Idiot Abroad stopped in at Petra Jordan too!
Petra Jordan Fast Facts
The area of Petra was believed to be inhabited as early as the 9th century BC but the city is believed to be built sometime in the 3rd Century BC.
The Nabataeans built Petra by carving palaces, tombs and monasteries into the stone cliffs in the 3rd century BC.
Top things to see are The Treasury, the Siq, The Monastery, Royal Tombs and more caves and palaces carved into high sandstone cliffs.
Petra is located in the country of Jordan beside the town of Wadi Musa some 250 km south of Amman – the country’s capital.
Book Your Petra Tours
Get Your Guide is a great company offering tours and discounts – check out these tours to Petra.
From Amman, Full Day tour – This tour leaves from Amman for a full-day tour of Petra. It includes the 800-meter horse ride that we missed and entrance fees to Petra.
Petra 2 Day Overnight Tour – This overnight tour from Amman gives you a four-hour guide at Petra, transportation from Amman and overnight accommodation. This is a great choice for those wanting more time at Petra to possibly explore Petra by night.
Enjoy this article on Petra Jordan? Save it to Pinterest for future travel planning.
For more information on Travel to Jordan visit our Jordan Travel Guide. Our trip to Petra was in partnership with Visit Jordan.
Read More:
10 Exciting Things to do in Jordan to Make You Pack Your Days
Jerash, Welcome to Jordan’s Roman City
cheap air tickets says
NIce points. Very usefull
Jaryd says
Out of this world amazing, best place I have ever visited. Your shots are incredibly great, hats off to you two just simply killing it. Thanks for inspiring me
BakoymaTravels says
It’s too bad you missed the opportunity to ride in! I haven’t been myself, but I’ll get on a horse any chance I get and I think riding in this landscape would’ve been fantastic. But you got the best part though, thanks for sharing your experiences and the amazing pictures!
debndave says
It would have been amazing. Hopefully we’ll get the chance again and next time ride for sure.
Tour to petra says
If you are looking For tours with your family, then Perta and jardon tour great options for you. would also feel proud of your best choice. You just need to call them up or make your bookings online.
Nicole @ Green Global Travel says
Incredible. You have done a great job in getting the photos with only a few people in them. I can’t believe there aren’t heaps of people seeing these wonders.
Arati says
Your pictures are amazing. My friend and I will be going to Petra in Oct. Did you take your pictures using a tripod? Also did you use auto bracketing for the HDR pictures or did you just shoot in RAW and then let the software handle the rest?
Sam @ Travellingking.com says
Petra is somewhere I have ALWAYS wanted to visit! Thanks for giving me a taste of it!
debndave says
Glad you enjoyed it, Petra is beautiful, one of the ruins that truly lives up to the hype.
bachelor says
hi dave,
what a very mesmerizing view. My partner and I are planning to go there. It is just so amazing. How is safety in there? Are there no terrorists? What is the locals attitude towards gay couple?
Thanks.
Emma @ GottaKeepMovin says
This has to be right up there on places I’m desperate to go – anything interesting and ancient and I’m there! Your photos are stunning, especially love the one with the sitting camels in the foreground. Thanks for sharing!
debndave says
Thanks Emma. Petra was high on our list too! Hope you make it there one day, it’s amazing.
Awais says
Amazing Photos and nice post … Thanks for the information
Anthony Schwab says
Awesome photos! I very much enjoy the HDR images.
I recently traveled to Petra and captured several hundred shots in the day a few can be found on my website at anthonyschwab.com/adventure/my-travels/petra/
Thanks, love the work.
Rhonda says
Love this! Beautiful photos, thank you so much for sharing.
DiscoverWithAndy says
Petra is one of my dream locations to travel to. I’m glad that it holds up to the hype – it seems that so few places do that. I can’t wait to check it out someday.
Also, I have to ask what camera you’re using as well. I’m contemplating getting a new one, and those are some of the best photos I’ve ever seen.
Canadiantravelbugs says
Wow great shots. What kind of camera do you use? Did you use a filter as the colours and shadows are so vivid and surreal.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin says
WOW! Your photos are stunning. I’ve always wanted to visit the lost city of Petra. It’s absolutely breath-taking. Definitely high on my bucket list. Maybe we’ll even be able to check it off this year! 🙂
Linda McCormick says
Killer images, Dave.
I had Petra on my list for years and when I finally made it, just as the Treasury came into view my camera broke! That was 16 years ago and I could still cry! I’ll get back one day.
debndave says
Oh Man Linda, that is the worst. I can imagine how you felt. Back then there weren’t Internet images to bring back the memory either. At least you have witnessed it with your own eyes and glad we could help you revisit your trip there.
Tawny of Captain and Clark says
The pictures are stunning! Petra seems like a place that’s steeped in history. Jordan is HIGH on our travel list for 2012. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to see Petra and all its glory in person in the very near future.
debndave says
I’m sure you’ll see it soon! Jordan really is a special place to visit and 2012 is the year to go, it’s the 200th anniversary of it’s discovery. That is discovery to the West, the Jordanians knew it was there all along:)
ali sabtin says
I just wanted to thank you for the great photos and for the kind words about Petra and the Jordanian people . By the way I am a Jordanian tour guide ,to answer the question about the people living in caves ,it is just like you said some still do not inside Petra its self but in caves on the outskirts of PETRA ,
debndave says
Thanks Ali, I am glad that you liked it. That means a lot to us coming from a person living in Jordan. We hope to capture what we truly felt about your country. and thinks for the clarification on the caves, much appreciated.
Robert-Kenya Safari says
Petra really deserved a place in the new seven wonders of the world together with such phenomena like the Serengeti -masai mara wildebeest migration in Kenya. Its a pity that not much of its history is known despite some sketchy stories. Those are some of the best photos i have seen with very good technique as well.
trvl8dintern says
These pictures are just amazing! The black and white picture of the man is so powerful!!
Gretta says
These photos are really incredible. These are the kind of photographs that make me really believe I’m getting a realistic view of Petra. Y’know how
sometimes you are inspired by your surroundings and get that flutter in your stomach and the itch to photgraph but your pictures never really
express the magnificence of a place? These seem to do that. These make me want to travel again. I can’t wait to start planning my honeymoon.
debndave says
Wow, Hi Gretta. Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad that I could capture Petra for you. It truly was one of those places that didn’t disappoint. Walking through the Siq towards the Treasury is a magnificent experience. That alone is worth going to Petra for. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I hope you have an amazing honeymoon! Enjoy.
Cole (FourJandals) says
Your photos always rock. No exceptions here either guys. Hope we find the time to visit some day soon.
debndave says
Hi Cole, thanks. You must go to Petra for sure, Jordan itself is a very magical place.
Brendan van Son says
The last image is my favourite… but they are all great. Definitely one of the places I want to photograph before I kick the bucket.
Nancie says
There really are no words are there? Awesome…………and I want to go there. You know I might even be convinced to ride a donkey again 🙂
Garrett says
Absolutely fantastic! This, Lebanon and Israel are my Middle East to-do list. Glad to hear it lives up to the hype.
Mack Reynolds says
these pictures are absolutely crazy. excellent job capturing this place i’ve never heard of before. it looks like quite an adventure indeed. i can’t believe it’s carved right out of a mountain!
i want to go there now too.
Richard says
How I wish that I can also have the chance to be able to visit the place you’ve visited . Looking at picture they are quite remarkable and amazing.
davendeb says
Hi Richard, thank you for the kind comment. I hope that you get to visit some day too! Petra is a great thing to put at the top of the list.
Thomas Dembie says
Great photos! The polarizing filter definitely helps show this area’s true natural beauty. I visited Jordan as part of a day trip from Sharm Egypt. One of the issues with this is that by the time we made it to the site it was swarmed by tourists, so it was impossible to get clear shots like the ones above.
davendeb says
That is very true Thomas. We noticed all the day tours coming in to Petra as we were leaving. YOu really need to get there early to avoid the crowds. Even then, it took a lot of patience to wait for people to clear the shot.
Joe says
Those pictures could be run through photomatix a few more times.
davendeb says
I take it you would like more HDR? Yes, it is very subjective as to how much to go with. some people like less, some like more. Thanks for the feedback.
Cailin says
gorgeous!
I especially love the one with the horse galloping!!
Dan Collins says
AMAZING photos. I wanna go there…NOW haha
Cam @ Traveling Canucks says
Some great photo editing Dave!
Somebody’s pretty kick ass with the camera! 😉
davendeb says
Cheers, Thanks Cam.
Lauren DiMarco says
wow! i feel like such a jerk for not looking at these before now. unbelievably beautiful. i can see why many of the comments said you’ve inspired future trips to petra. thank you for sharing!!
davendeb says
Thanks Lauren, I appreciate the compliment. I hope that we inspired people to go, it was an outstanding ancient city and worth seeing.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler says
What an amazing place! You captured it beautifully.
Renee says
Those photos are truly stunning! So surreal… I am curious about the history of the structures, and wish more info had been included, particularly years of construction. But hey, that’s what Google’s for, I guess. 🙂
davendeb says
Hi Renee, the problem with Petra is that there isn’t a lot of information. If you read what I had to say, I state that there isn’t a lot of information on the city and that a lot of what we know today is speculation. There are 1530 words in this post and for a blog, that is quite a bit of information. I chose to share what I learned and what I know and yes, you are right that is what Google is for. I also actually say it was built by the Nabateans over 2000 years ago. It remained under their rule until 100 AD where I am sure that they kept building on to it. It was then taken over by the Romans. I know that the pictures make it seem that there isn’t a lot of text and it is easy to become distracted by Dave’s incredible work, but there is quite a bit of information in the post if you do read it.
Amanda says
Amazing pictures. Really puts Petra in a different perspective. What kind of lens did you use?
davendeb says
Hi Amanda, I used a Canon 16 – 35 L 2.8
Darren Weir says
That’s great that we got that cleared up. After following some of the comments here I was sure I was wrong but am glad we got it sorted out. I love that about the internet too. I love how I can read other people’s posts about the same places I write about, to get a different perspective (and sometimes to double check my facts). I look forward to reading more and more of your posts and following your adventures.
davendeb says
You are absolutely right Kirk. Transformers was shot in Jordan at Petra and Wadi Rum. When watching that movie, I really wanted to go to Petra. I can’t believe that we got to go so soon!
Paritosh says
Just incredible images.
Clare Appleyard says
Wow, amazing shots Dave! I’ve never seen Petra like this – truly inspiring me to get there one day soon!
davendeb says
Thanks Clare, You will love it when you go. Make sure to go early, the crowds build up by 11:00 am
Izzeddeen Alkarajeh says
This is a wonderful collection of shots, I liked them all.
davendeb says
Cheers, thanks so much Isseddeen
Andrea says
These are amazing. Just. Wow.
davendeb says
Cheers, Thanks so much Andrea.
Michael Figueiredo says
Wow! These are gorgeous shots! I first heard of Petra when I saw that Indiana Jones movie. I still haven’t made it there yet, but these photos are convincing me that I really need to go there!
davendeb says
Hi Michael, I didn’t even know that Indiana Jones was filmed in Petra before going there. You were ahead of us in your knowledge. I hope you make it there one day soon, it was awesome.
wally says
Playing with photoshop is fun for non-photographers.
davendeb says
Photoshop is used in photography today like dark rooms were use when shooting with film. All photographers have used post production techniques in the past and today to dodge, burn, crop and correct colours. And yes, playing with photoshop is fun for both photographers and non-photographers.
Sheryll says
Absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. My jaw was dropped the entire post!
davendeb says
Sheryll, Thank you very much. Our jaws were dropped during out entire walk through Petra. It is truly like stepping back in time.
Mike says
Wow, just wow. Agree with Darren. They definitely put mine to shame. Especially jealous of tourism rep crowd control and a lack of a fence and grating in front of the treasury. I was also told by a few of the people there that they live in the caves in Petra.
davendeb says
Thanks Mike, I am sure yours are awesome! We have to say that we were very spoiled having Ali and the tourism officer helping us out. I am glad to hear that you heard about people living in the caves as well. I have to send Ali a message to ask him for certain.
Randy says
Great work guys! Love this write up, and the photos are absolutely amazing!
davendeb says
Thanks Randy. It was certainly fun learning about Petra and witnessing it’s beauty.
Anne Marie says
Wow! these are wonderful photos! the more I look at your photos, the more I remember the long walk in Petra, I had almost forgotten about the distances and amazing sites.
PS: I like your note about who/what you refer to as ‘living contradictions’, I live in a place where you see many of him, daily.
davendeb says
Wow, you must live in a very interesting place. I love how the old is colliding with the new in the world today. It will be sad when the earth becomes one big generic corporation of chain stores and shopping malls. I hope it doesn’t happen any time soon. Hopefully people will hold on to their heritage and keep individuality. It is what makes travel so exciting. I’m certainly not saying that people can’t evolve and become modern, I just hope that the culture stays in tact in countries and that the Starbucks generation doesn’t take over too much.
You are right, the walk to the Treasury is a long and beautiful one for sure.
Darren Weir says
WOW… I am blown away by your spectacular photos. I was there last week and your photos put mine to shame. Just one point, I had two guides when I was there and was told by both that nobody is allowed to reside in Petra any longer. Everyone was moved out to a new town just west of the site in the late 1980’s. Today decendents of the Natataens live in this town and travel to Petra every day to work.
davendeb says
Thanks Darren, we appreciate the compliment. We were definitely told that there is a tribe that is allowed to live in Petra. Maybe not in necessarily in Petra proper but in the surrounding caves. I wonder if The Jordan Tourism Board can weigh in on this. As I looked for information it states that everyone was relocated to a town, but even when we talked with tribe in Wadi Rum, they said that many people have been relocated to town, but many still live in the desert. I wonder if this is the case in Petra. The Petra officer specifically said to us that families working in Petra are allowed to stay there. I’d love to know for certain. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ali checks this out and answers. He has been an excellent fact checker for us:)
Darren Weir says
thanks for the clarification. I look forward to a response from Ali too. If that’s the case I’ll have to edit my own post 😉
davendeb says
Me too. If not I wil facebook Ali, to ask him. We are facebook friends and keep in touch at least once a week. I love how the Internet brings people together.
Darren Weir says
I know… what did we ever do before the i’net??? and how could people travel with just sending postcards and calling home??? Glad WE connected… especially since we’re just a couple of world travelers from CANADA!
davendeb says
Hi Darren. Ok. Ali confirmed that you are absolutely right. Nobody lives in Petra today. I will make sure to change it in the post. We had more than one person tell us differently while visiting Petra and Dave and I both could have sworn we recalled Ali stating that as well, but I guess we were wrong:) On facebook Ali confirmed what you said that they have all been moved to the village. Thanks for the correction.
This is something else I love about the Interent, people can fix problems instantly. A newspaper has to write a little blurb the following week to make corrections or to hear the other side of the story in the editorial section. We have instant discussions right here on the post and people can instantly correct the mistakes that we make.
Cheers
Jack Scott says
Wow. Just incredible images.
Wai Tsui says
Exceptional photography! Petra by day is just as awesome as Petra by night! Funny that how the ancient people loved to think that they had somehow reached the end of the world. Thanks for sharing again!
davendeb says
I have to admit, I don’t know if they actually thought it was the end of the world, but I can believe it. And I’ll take the sign as meaning that they did
;-)I would have if I didn’t know any better. And standing there certainly felt like we were looking out over the end of the world. It was so beautiful. Cheers and thanks for stopping by.KayteinLA says
Great photos! How awesome to have the cooperation of the tourism rep and your guide to clear the shots for you. Looks like it was a wonderful trip. Still on my bucket list!
davendeb says
Hi Kaytein, I have to admit, we were spoiled. how on earth will we visit world ruins again without the official and a tourism representative?
:-)We’ll just have to make due and do our own crowd control. Not that anyone will ever listen;-)Teena Jane L. Geanga says
Amazing, beyond words
davendeb says
Cheers and thank you!
Debbie Beardsley says
I thought your other pictures were amazing but these are even better! They definitely make me want to go.
davendeb says
Thanks Debbie. It is a very picturesque location. I think it is difficult to take a bad photo of Petra:)
Dalene Heck says
Stunning pictures, as usual! I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at Petra pictures, but I never tire of them. I think that means I need to get there. Now!
davendeb says
Definitely true. I know that Petra is very popular right now on the Internet, but that’s totally because it is such an amazing location. I hope you make it there soon and hint, go early.
idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) says
Absolutely breathtaking pictures and fitting commentaries! You’ve convinced us that a visit to Petra is a must in one’s lifetime!
davendeb says
Thanks Jeremy and Shirlene. You must go, Petra is one of thos e places that will not disappoint. Glad we could inspire you to go one day.
Dean says
Your photography is always so amazing. And an amazing place makes it even better. Beautiful
davendeb says
Thanks Dean. I took so many photos of Petra that it was difficult to choose which ones to use. I could dedicate an entire book to it! Cheers.
Andrea says
Brilliant photos of an incredible location.
davendeb says
Thanks Andrea, Agreed, Petra is an incredible location. We have been to a lot of the great ruins on earth…the Pyramids, Angkor Wat, Tikal, Machu Picchu… and Petra is something very different and unique from anywhere else.
Iain Mallory says
Great post, amazing images bring the whole place alive in my lounge, thanks ….. even greater resolve to go soon.
davendeb says
Thanks Iain. Petra is quite the place. The setting alone is stunning and then to have these incredible monuments built into the rocks sets it over the top of great ruins of the world!
Mark Wiens says
Wow Dave! Unbelievable photos with the perfect brightening filter to add to them. The black and white portraits are absolutely stunning as well! Incredible – these photos have put me into a mesmerizing dreamy daze.
davendeb says
Hi Mark, I didn’t use a brightening filter. It was the natural lighting of the day and a polarizer. I have used HDR processing in some of the photos to bring out the shadows but no brightening filter. Petra and Jordan are just that stunning and did most of the work for me. Cheers!