The Lost City of Petra..

My first trip in Jordan was to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The major reason for the visit was my love for National Treasure (the movie) and Treasury. Initially my only objective was to reach Treasury click some photos and wassup it to my husband and then go to Wadi Rum!

The Treasury

But as I started planning for the trip, I googled more about this Nabatean city and my so called lost love for History got the fuel for awakening. Finally, I decided to take a two day tour (55 JD for non-Jordanian) to Petra one with guide and one without guide as it pretty expensive (50 JD per tour). First day I took the guide and second day did a self-track to the monastery.

The King's Tombs inside Petra

The entire city is carved through the rocks. There is only one free standing building the city and that it also the Land-mark where the main trail ends. It’s around 3 hours (round trip) trail, wall painting, temples are there through the siq. After around 40mins to one hours into the Siq one can see the bright light of treasury peeping through the slits between the rocks, you don’t need to be a photographer to make a beautiful photo out of that, proof is below.

Golden Glimpse of Treasury

My guide was a Bedouin and he gave interesting insights about the life in the city of Petra. He also told that he was born in the city of Petra and used to live in one of the caves here till 1985. As per him till 2013 there used to be huge queues to visit the city of Petra which has now significantly reduced. He also told that if I would have arrived a day earlier could have seen Petra by the Night (which is only available on Monday, Thursday & Friday nights). The entire pathway lit by oil lamps looked awesome in his mobile photos I am sure my mobile would have done a similar job and I would have tagged it “shot on iphone 6s” ;-) (I know, bad one!)

Petra by Night. PC: Google

The tour guides leaves at the free standing building. That's the only surviving structure that is free standing in the entire city, rest all are carved through the mountains. 

In the Left Center that Wall kind structure is the only free standing structure which has survived, built by Romans!

As the Sun was setting, I started rushing back to the entrance to avoid walking in the dark but the Sun was gone within in a flicker and by the time I reached Treasury it was pitch dark. Luckily there was one group waiting there, I tagged along with them till the end. Ate dinner an awesome at the restaurant near the ticket counter sent back images home through the restaurant wi-fi and went –off to sleep.

Mummy of a Baby Camel, which died at an early age!

Next day I woke-up at 6 as had to cover longer trail (6 hours trail to Monastery) and then head back to Jordan. As soon as I looked out of the window I could see dark clouds covering the Sun and it was drizzling. Waited there for an hour, hopping for rain to stop but it didn’t. Finally had no option but to start. So went ahead like that one, it was kind of fun trekking the siq, fully drenched, awesome weather and no tension of clicking photo graphs as I couldnt have taken my phone out from the water proof puch! The water was flowing like a river through it and I could imagine that how Petra is easily exposed to flash floods! I completed the trail in close to 7-8 hours with 3 small excursion from the monastery to the awesome viewpoints.

The Monastery at my Back Drop!

Amman In and Out..!!

There is a nice calm vibe in the Air. No one is in hurry, nobody honks in traffic (people have patience) even if the road is blocked for hours. Ok, I exaggerated a little! Steep hilly roads makes every ride a small thrill ride filled with joy. 40% of Jordan’s populations resides in Amman. Islam and Christianity are two major religions followed here. Few of the things that shouldn’t be missed in Amman are:

Rainbow Street: A Lively street full of Restaurants and pubs on both side of the street. Some restaurants which are at the edge of the hillock offer breathtaking views of downtown with awesome food. The small cafes have pretty sit-outs to enjoy the weather and food. Often these are occupied by some talented music artists which do not shy away to practice. This street reminded me of the lively (full of art) streets of Rome.

Sheesha: Smoke is oxygen for Jordan and Sheesha is pretty much the respiration system to inhale it. (I know it is one of the worst metaphor I might have used, but couldn’t think of anything else). Every restaurant / Café offers Sheesha with lot of flavor options. Cafes in are petty lively on the weekend evenings (i.e. Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings). One can also find huge exclusive tobacco shops selling off beautiful sheesha vessels along with some unique flavors of tobacco.

Boulevard: I am not sure how it is round the year but when I went there, it was beautifully decorated with flowers and plants all around to celebrate Spring and there was Arabic rock band giving live performance and the crowd was going crazy while hearing the songs. Though I don’t know Arabic but I also loved the performance and thoroughly enjoyed it. Followed by some nice Italian food at the open restaurant near the Amphi theatre. Definitely a different picture of Amman.

Spring Festival @ Boulevard

Turkish Hamman: My bet to pamper myself after the Wadi Mujib Trail, Well I tried Alf Layla Wa Layla to relax and believe me it is a must try if you are in Amman. The complete 2-2.5 hrs process relaxes not only your body but your mind as well. Very Clean and nice place with friendly staff and awesome services. Though I have not been to

he tiredness I had post
Turkey, but what I heard from people that it was one of the best Turkish Hamman better than Turkey also!!

Shopping at Down Town: The souk here is modernized to a large extend it doesn’t look/feels anywhere near to the Souks of Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Still roaming around the streets of Down Town is an experience in itself. You can find few small establishments at the basements having some reminders of the Souks. One can head to JAFRA for some delicious food and a round of sheesha and there are live Oud performances after 9.00 PM at JAFRA.

This wasn't our ride 

Taxi Ride: Must hire a taxi to experience the thrill of drive through the steep roads of Amman, to enjoy the soothing Arabic music that the radio station plays, to hear some lovely welcoming words from the taxi driver despite of them not knowing English they will definitely say “Welcome to Jordan” and also for the passive smoking through your taxi drivers (:-P).

Falafel at Hashim’s: Me being a vegetarian it’s was the only fall back place I had. Small shops in the open serves awesome falafel (unlimited @ 3 Jordanian Dinar). And it is so famous that you just need to tell Hashim to Taxi Drivers they will themselves take you to the restaurant. BTW did I mention, that this is one of King Abdullah’s favorite places. 

Hummus & Falafel @ Hashim

Visit the Malls: Amman has some large malls full of all international brands. I am not a mall person but, if one is interested one can visit Taj Mall, Mecca Mall or Galaria Mall for some shopping and food.

Citadel + Amphi Theatre: The Amman Citadel is a historical site at the center of downtown Amman, Jordan situated at the Hilltop. It offers the top view of Roman Amphi theatre,  major attractions at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.

Amman Top view @ Citadel

The Blue dome Mosque @ Citadel

The best time to visit Citadel is the early evening (it closes by 5.30 Pm) so that the view of crimson sun setting behind the tall modern building can be enjoyed from the Hillock. 

Sunset @ Citadel

Roman Amphi Theatre, King Abdullah Mosque are the other main attractions of the city.

Souvenirs: One can buy beautiful Mosaic from Bazar shops on the way to Dead Sea or from Madaba. Or small common mosaics (like tree of life) can be bought from down town as well.  Phosporus based Knife paintings (I found few beautiful ones near Jerash) these are also available in Down Town. Evil Eye hangings, available on any souvenir shop. One can also purchase Sheesha flavors from a huge variety of options available (from exclusive Tobacco Shops). There is one really nice one in Gallaria mall right at the entrance.

Souvenir