Day 78: Aqaba Jordan and the Lost City of Petra

Today we are arriving in Aqaba Jordan with an excursion to Petra - The Lost City

Before getting to to Aqaba, we arrive at the Gulf of Aqaba around midnight. We were able to just make out the land and some of the lights in this area. We can see Saudi Arabia on our right (Starboard side) and Egypt on our left (Port).

Egypt

The Straits of Tiran is where we enter the Gulf of Aqaba near Tiran Island 

Well Toni wanted to go up on deck so we could see both coasts. Obviously from our coats, the weather is changing some from our time near the equator and the southern hemisphere (summer time).

Our next stop in a few hours

I came in and Toni was still outside

The Egyptian Coast

A few hours later arriving at the Port of Aqaba

"The port of Aqaba has been an important strategic and commercial center for over three millennia. Originally called Elath, the home of the Edomites became in Roman times a trading center where goods from as far away as China found entry to Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Today Aqaba is Jordan's only seaport, and the city serves as an intriguing gateway for travelers. In the surrounding desert lies the lost city of Petra - a city that may date to 6,000 B.C. - and Wadi Rum, where an English soldier mystic named T.E. Lawrence found his destiny as "Lawrence of Arabia."

Perched at the apex of the Gulf of Aqaba, Aqaba offers internationally renowned diving opportunities and the richest marine life in the entire Red Sea. The old fortress on the waterfront dates to the 14th-century. Passengers should drink only bottled water while ashore. Please respect local customs and dress accordingly, avoiding exposed shoulders and knees."

Sights from our bus ride toward Petra. We stopped twice while still in town because the driver noticed an issue with the bus.  On the second stop, they had called for another bus but the driver said he had fixed it.  We were a little worried. Some of the folks on the bus had been here on a previous cruise and on the morning they arrived, were informed that heavy rains the day before had caused issues and the excursion to Petra was cancelled.  They joking said the couple miles we had gone was further than their first try!  At least people were not stressing about the issue.  We never had an issue with the bus after that!

We stopped for a rest stop

A lot of people got scarfs and had them turned into traditional deserts head coverings. Toni included.

One of the Bedouin camps. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin)

You see many approaches to collecting water. All the roofs have multiple tanks and capture devices. Also what I think was water heating devices. Assume this barrel is capturing the last of the roof water and is used for the tree and limited green at this house.

And finally we arrive in the town of Petra. A short walk from where the bus could drop us off to the Visitor Center.

An now we start walking to the one of the Wonders of the world

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/petra

"Petra was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985"

In the early 2000s, the site was named one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World,” leading to a spike in tourism. Since then, efforts have been made to protect the ruins of Petra from heavy tourism, as well as damage from floods, rain and other environmental factors.

You had options on getting there. Horses, Golf Carts, Mules, and Walking

Rob was not paying attention when Toni wanted to do selfies!!

Some of the first tomb sites

Your guide will lead you through a narrow gorge call the 'Siq, a stunning natural canyon that winds through the towering rock towards the city. Here, you will see water channels, carvings, and representations of ancient gods carved into the rock.
The ancient city of Petra is a Nabataean capital carved in a vivid red sand stone, and boasts numerous monuments including tombs, theaters, obelisks, high places, temples, and churches,

Some people are still full of energy, some need to take a nap.

The walls are starting to get higher

Mounted Police

The first sight of the Treasury through the last part of  the Siq

They were sharing a laugh but when Toni asked if she could take a picture of him, he was very serious!

Plenty of things for sell along the way

          Many of the tombs.                          The very colorful rocks of Petra.

The Petra Theater

We were just able to see a small part (but most famous and remarkable) of the huge area of Petra. The  walk from visitor center was almost all downhill. The return trip was going to be uphill so we needed to head back.

They definitely were not shy on trying to sell you things

Back at the treasury and took some time to meet some of the locals who seemed to want to be in your photographs.

Back at the top.  The first time our favorite bartender, Flor, saw Rob coming back from an excursion she started calling him Indiana Jones or Mr. Jones. So when we say this, we took a picture to show her.

Sights on the walk from the Visitor Center back to the hotel where lunch is being served

My Dad Supermarket right near My Mom's Recipe Restaurant. Guess it's All in the Family here. 

While this was very tempting, we had a buffet waiting for us at the Petra Palace Hotel as part of our excursion.

After the late afternoon lunch, it was time for the two hour ride back to Aqaba

Good use of the roof

So made it back to ship after almost 8 miles of walking.

Princess brings local entertainment onboard when we have a late night in a port. This was a local group that provided traditional Arabic music.

What a day in Aqaba and Petra. Time to head to the top decks for Sail Away.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqaba_Flagpole

The Aqaba Flagpole in Aqaba, Jordan is a 130 metres (430 ft) tall flagpole. This height makes it the 6th tallest free–standing and 7th tallest flagpole in the world.[1][2] It was the tallest free–standing flagpole in the world until being surpassed by the 133 metres (436 ft) tall Ashgabat Flagpole in 2008. It carries the flag of the Arab Revolt commemorating the Battle of Aqaba that took place in 1917. The flagpole can be seen from Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The flagpole was built in 2004 and opened on 3 October 2004.[3]

View of the Aqaba Port tower as we pulled away.

As the Captain turned us around we went from point at Jordan to pointing at Israel...

...to pointing at Egypt and soon Saudi Arabia would be on our left.

While not one point like the four corners in western US, having four countries within sight of each other makes this a very interesting area. We will head back out the Gulf of Aqaba and turn into the Gulf of Suez early tomorrow morning. We are falling back another hour tonight and will be 6 hours ahead of the East Coast. We will get to the entry of the Suez Canal by late afternoon and currently we are scheduled to enter the Suez Canal around 5 pm local time (around 11 am EDT).