of the first to enter Petra when they opened at six AM. Only fifteen percent
of Petra is excavated so far. Petra, also known as the Red Rose City is
considered one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World". Half the city was
leveled by an earthquake in 363 AD, and the earthquake of 749 is thought to
have forced the remaining stragglers to depart the then crumbling city. In
1812, Jean Louis Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer, visited the city and brought
it back to the attention of the world. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site for all of us to see.
We were met by our trail guide, Habu Mahmoud Bidoul, from a local tribe in
Petra. Our plan was to go to some of the remote and high places here, so we
needed someone familiar with the trails and hiking in the area to lead us
and help us scramble around the beautiful rocky cliffs.
We began our journey through the Bab Al Siq - Arabic for Gateway Gorge, in
the still quiet and cool morning air. The entrance to Petra was even more
dramatic due to the lack of tourists this early in the morning.
The first thing one sees when exiting the Siq is The Treasury, believed to
be the mausoleum of the Nabataeam King Aretas (9 BC-40 AD).
This was not my first visit to Petra, so we went climbing off the beaten
path - according to my fitbit, 15+ miles and 150+ flights of stairs off. Non
one thought that the three women would make it - but we did - and it felt
great. Even felt great the next day. Bragging rights for never coming across
another hiker even close to our age. That said, if not for our fabulous
guide, holding our hand for balance or assistance climbing a waist high
step, carrying a bag or camera, having us take rests and just encouraging us
along the way - we never could have done it - and certainly not without
injury or getting lost.
Climbed back into the van to rest our legs and begin the two hour journey
back to the ship and a much needed shower and comfy bed.
HBBM
