2006.05.21_Petra 9 - Black and White

The Siq


Eroded Cave Dwellings


Royal Tombs


Inside a Royal Tomb


Treasury

2006.05.21_Petra 7 - Snake Monument & Birdeye View of Treasury

At around 14:30 we arrived at the Snake Monument, the destination of one of the longer hikes a tourist can take in Petra. It took us a while to actually locate the snake monument. In fact, we finally saw the monument only because a local pointed it out for us. At the Snake Monument, we encountered a Bedouin family who still lives at the monument site. He asked us if we wanted tea. We thanked him but we didn't accept his offer. There were two kids at the black tent (probably made with goat hair according to traditions), at around 6-8 years old. We played football (soccer) with them for about 10 minutes before heading back.

When we reached the Main Temple, we decided to hike up the hill opposite to the famous Treasury to have a birdeye view of the magnificent monument. We found our way uphill again near the Royal Tombs. The steps were steep, and the hike took approximately 45 minutes. The view was fantastic. Up on the hill, we saw the local guide and the professor again (the first time near Tomb of Soldiers). After taking some photos, we slowly descend down. Both AK and I got ourselves a can of pop. It was very refreshing. Without it, we probably would take us 2 times longer to reach the exit of Petra. At night we dined at Sand Stone Restaurant, and went online at the computer room in Petra Moon.

2006.05.20_Petra 2 - Treasury

At the end of the Siq, about 1.5km from the gorge entrance, we arrived at the spot where every visitor would stop for the iconic view of the rock-cut Treasury (Al Khazneh). No matter how many times the image of the Treasury has become in the age of mass images, the view is still stunning. While we were taking photos, groups after groups of tourists passed by us and gathered in front of the Treasury. Certainly this is the busiest attraction in Jordan. Unlike the Indiana Jones movie, the interior of the Treasury is a large but empty high ceiling space carved out from the cliff. No labyrinth or traps, only massive blank walls containing magnificent marble-like patterns in colours ranged from white to red to brown. There are legends suggesting robbers and pirates used the building as a treasury of looted objects, and probably it was where the name “Treasury” comes from.

Petra was the capital city of the Nabatean civilization. First as the Nabatean capital and then later as an important Roman trading, Petra reached its prime time from around 100BC to 200AD. The city’s fortunate was closely tied to how well they managed water supplies and how caravan routes had established in the Middle East. In its high time, Petra was a very significant trading city at the west end of the Silk Road, before caravans reached the coast of the Mediterranean. The city flourished as a trading city until the Bride of the Desert, Palmyra, took over its place as trade routes being developed further north in today’s Syria and Lebanon.