We have a lucky break as Tim’s American Airlines Platinum card gets us into the Royal Jordanian Airways Luxury Lounge at Amman airport and we have a few minutes to spare before our flight to Delhi tonight so here's another post...
Sandi gets lost in Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar and is caught by Tim eyeing up a pair of fancy boots. Much to Tim’s relief she can’t fit them in her backpack. For those who have never been to the Bazaar, it's reputed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall and opened for business in 1491. It’s a wonderful haven of the exotic and fanciful.
Attempting for something smaller to fit in her backpack, she is caught again around the next corner trying to sneak in a pair of elegant slippers. Tim suggests they might not be appropriate for hiking in Nepal and Bhutan.
As we enter the gates of Petra, Jordan, we are wowed by the first sight of the Nabataean Obelisk and Tomb. The Nabataeans were an ancient Arab tribe originating from the Arabian penninsula and settled in southern Jordan more than 2200 years ago.
Following on through the Siq (a deep narrow gorge) for a further mile we emerge and come face to face with Petra’s pride and joy, The Treasury. The first view is breathtaking and we feel dwarfed by the huge size of the facade (30m wide, 43m high). It is so amazing that no amount of descriptive prose does it justice... best experienced first hand. It was carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb for an important Nabataean king.
Sandi’s new Bedouin friend.
After an hours climb of 800 steps we reach The Monastery, Petra’s second most famous attraction. This is an important pilgrimmage sight and gathering place... yet another awesome spectacle, on par with The Treasury. This marks the end of our first day in Petra, a gruelling 9.5 hours of walking in the 35 degrees centigrade desert sun.
On the second day, Tim discovers an ancient Nabataean rock carving.
Tim contemplates the amazing carvings on the Royal Tombs.
Sandi gets lost in Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar and is caught by Tim eyeing up a pair of fancy boots. Much to Tim’s relief she can’t fit them in her backpack. For those who have never been to the Bazaar, it's reputed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall and opened for business in 1491. It’s a wonderful haven of the exotic and fanciful.
Attempting for something smaller to fit in her backpack, she is caught again around the next corner trying to sneak in a pair of elegant slippers. Tim suggests they might not be appropriate for hiking in Nepal and Bhutan.
As we enter the gates of Petra, Jordan, we are wowed by the first sight of the Nabataean Obelisk and Tomb. The Nabataeans were an ancient Arab tribe originating from the Arabian penninsula and settled in southern Jordan more than 2200 years ago.
Following on through the Siq (a deep narrow gorge) for a further mile we emerge and come face to face with Petra’s pride and joy, The Treasury. The first view is breathtaking and we feel dwarfed by the huge size of the facade (30m wide, 43m high). It is so amazing that no amount of descriptive prose does it justice... best experienced first hand. It was carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb for an important Nabataean king.
Sandi’s new Bedouin friend.
After an hours climb of 800 steps we reach The Monastery, Petra’s second most famous attraction. This is an important pilgrimmage sight and gathering place... yet another awesome spectacle, on par with The Treasury. This marks the end of our first day in Petra, a gruelling 9.5 hours of walking in the 35 degrees centigrade desert sun.
On the second day, Tim discovers an ancient Nabataean rock carving.
Tim contemplates the amazing carvings on the Royal Tombs.
Petra is one of the most awe-inspiring places we have ever seen.
3 comments:
Morning to the happy blogging vagabonds! Much enjoyed your posts from Istanbul and Petra. Tim, its good to read that you're both travelling in a certain degree of style. Plus ca change...and all that!! Glad you enjoyed Istanbul, definitely one of my faves. Petra looks and sounds amazing, on my wishlist for sure.
Back in Blighty we have been enjoying a mini Indian summer, long overdue after the miserable August. No big news to share really, Max is at school, Nugs is at Tescos and I'm contemplating mowing the lawn. Oh the exciting country life that we lead!
Hope India is all you hoped it'd be and more. Looking forward to next post from Lovell HQ.
Much love to you both, the Coltarts. XXX
I think the 5th hole at Stoneybrook has more to offer.
Seriously, the trip looks fantastic and I'm beginning to get jealous.
Stay safe...Joey, Richie, Rosie and Jazzy too
I agree that Petra is an amazing place. We loved it when we were there and I'm so glad that you two were as inspired as we were. We've just got back from our 6 week road trip and had a wonderful time. Spent time in the 'health mine', took in Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills and Bad Lands of South Dakota, spent a week on a houseboat (Lake of the Woods, Ontario), visited Rudy's old home town just out of Winnipeg, went through Theodore National Park and the Bad Lands in North Dakota, Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, spent a 4 days at my girlfriend's condo in Canmore (near Banff), then a couple of days in Westbank at another girlfriend's place and then home. We're great and loving retirement and we're going to be grandparents again. Sherri is expecting in early April. Take care, have a wonderful time, love and best wishes to you both.... oxorchid
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