It seems amazing to me that so many people can exist in such a dry arid desert. These towns nestling in between the sandy hills.
Jordan – towns in the desert.
Back out of Petra – Photos
Very tired and elated we walked back through the cleft to the outside world.
Petra is one of the world’s most spectacular places.
Petra – A final goodbye
It would have been great to see the place before it was desecrated by the fanatical Muslims who shot all the statues to pieces.
With one last look (it’s unlikely we’ll ever go back – we’ve been lucky enough to visit twice) we set off back up the cleft.
Petra – Heading out
We clambered down from the spectacular caves, walked past the Monastery with its host of tourists, and headed for the cleft – fully sated!
What a wonderful place!
Petra – Inside the Sandstone Caves
I just love the Gaudiesque weathered sandstone with its psychedelic colours.
Petra – Sculpted Sandstone Caves
The most amazing colours and weathered rocks. the hills are honeycombed with incredible coloured caves of flowing rock – like a hallucination, a lysergic universe. Beautiful, I’m sure Gaudi got his inspiration from here.
Petra – off on a camel into the guts of the city.
This was a major trading place. It was constructed to be impressive. The caravans would come in with their spices and produce. They were meant to be intimidated.
It is amazing.
Petra – The Monastery in detail.
You can see the bullet holes where the Islamic fanatics tried to destroy the statues and reliefs.
Petra – The first glimpse
Having made our way through the cleft we finally reach the end and get our first glimpse of the majestic pink of the magnificent monastery.
Petra – Through the narrow entrance.
It was quite a long walk through these sculpted rocks with many carvings and insets where the effigies of many gods would have resided.
Opher's World 