Day 4

This morning at 8:00 a.m. we were at the gate to get into Petra. The approach to Petra is through an incredibly narrow 1.2km-long passage known as the siq.



This is not a canyon, but rather one block that has been separated apart by tectonic forces. Just as you start to think there is no end to the siq, you catch breath-taking glimpes of the most impressive of Petra's sights, the Khazneh (Treasury).



The Treasury is carved out of iron-laden sandstone. The Greek-style pillars and alcoves are masterpieces. as you walk along you come to the street of facades, the
hightlight of which is the weather-worn 7000-seat theatre. The Royal Tombs are breathtaking as are the mountains in which they are situated.

We walked along streets, walkways in various states of restoration, looking up at tombs in the mountains, etc. for five km. to a 800-step winding path into the mountains and came upon the Monastery, another spectacular carving in the side of the mountain.



We spend the day until 4:30 p.m. walking, climbing, enjoying the "Wonder". We were able to climb up to the top of the mountain and see various paths going through the mountains to other places.

We had to hurry because we had booked ourselves a Turkish Bath for the end of today. We were steamed, exfoliated, soaped, massaged and served tea, for $30.00 U.s. each. What a deal. We were both so happy we decided to do this as it did rejuvenate us for the evening.