Ancient Wonder City of Petra: A Photo Story

One of the seven wonders of the world that UNESCO refers to as ‘one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage’, the ancient city of Petra is the symbol of Jordan and is its most visited tourist attraction. Believed to have been settled as early as 9,000 BC, its grandeur gradually increased once it became the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 4th century BC before reaching the peak of riches in the 1st century AD.

Nicknamed the rose city due to the colour of the stone from which it is carved, the highlight of a trip to Petra is its treasury or Al Khazneh, but its Siq, its mausoleums, its beautiful stone carvings, its tombs, its monastery, its entry gate and its rugged and arid mountain landscape are what make this place a complete mesmerizing package.

Experience this magnificent wonder of Jordan through my travel photos and get transported to the location where iconic movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Arabian Nights, Passion in the Desert, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, The Mummy Returns and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen were shot.

Above photo: Al Khazneh or the Treasury is one of the most elaborate temples in Petra and is believed to have been the mausoleum of the Nabataean King Aretas IV in the 1st century AD. It is the center of attraction in Petra and is the location for the ‘Petra at night’ show. It has been carved out of a sandstone rock face.



Above photo: The rocky and dry mountain landscape of Petra. Petra lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of the Arabah valley that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The monument that you saw in this photo is the Petra monastery, the largest temple in Petra.



Above photo: I call it the Petra highway. It was once the hotspot of trade. Tombs, entry gates, temples flank both its sides. It is also the path that connects the monastery to the treasury.



Above photo: The bird’s eye view of the Petra theatre and the surrounding rugged mountain landscape.



Above photo: The narrow passage or Siq that leads from the ticket counter to Al-Khazneh (the treasury).



Above photo: Camels, donkeys and colourfully decked locals make for an interesting frame while capturing the treasury of Petra.



Above photo: Camels are a great way of commuting in this ancient city of Petra. Young Bedouin boys pose stylishly on their camels in front of the street of facades.



Above photo: The path through the rocks that lead to the monastery and other surreal views.



Above photo: A cup of local tea to reward ourselves after a steep hike to the highest point in Petra. At this place, where there is nothing but a tea shop, you get a 360 degree panoramic view of Petra archaeological park.



Above photo: The mighty monastery that predates the treasury. It is bigger than Al-Khazneh, but it is simple and devoid of any major carvings.



Above photo: A sunset view during a drive from Little Petra to Petra.



Above photo: The canyons of Little Petra are a photographer’s delight. There is also a hidden passage that connects Little Petra to Petra. Due to safety reasons, this ancient route has been closed down.



Above photo: One of the best experiences in the ancient city of Petra is the hike through canyons and rocky outcrops to the monastery. This is how the people of this city used to commute many thousands of years ago.



Above photo: A much deserved rest after a steep climb to the monastery from the treasury. The sun is usually sharp in Petra, but it is pretty cool when you are in the shade of the canyon.



Above photo: The rocky trail to the monastery and view points of Petra are lined with beautiful flowering shrubs that turn into lovely shades of pink along with the rosy canyons during different times of the day.



Above photo: A camel ride through the iconic Petra highway. The Hadrian gate and the Decumanus Maximus are in the background.



Above photo: Camels of various sizes make as great souvenirs to take back home from Petra.

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What to shop for in Jordan?

An international holiday to Jordan must be on many of your bucket lists. After all, with exotic locations like the UNESCO world heritage site of Petra, the Martian landscape of Wadi Rum, the natural beauty spa called the Dead Sea, a bustling, colorful and vibrant capital city in Amman, beautiful turquoise waters in and around Aqaba, the lands where Jesus once walked in and around the Jordan river and Bethany and so many other gorgeous ones, it is a no brainer to have this beautiful country in your travel bucket list.

This article is not about Jordan’s must-see destinations, but it is about what you can buy there to carry back home as souvenirs, gifts and mementoes. Or you could even indulge in your purchases during the course of the holidays itself. Here is a detailed shopping list for your Jordan holiday.

Medjoul Dates

In my umpteen travels through the Middle East, I have tasted a variety of dates, but I have taken an immense liking to the Medjoul dates of Jordan. They are big, fleshy and sweet and are perfect as a snack, a breakfast starter, a power packed pre-exercise shake or even a post exercise shake and/or as an accompaniment with desserts. They make for great gifts too. They are so good that you might want to carry at least 10 kgs back home.

Best place to buy: Local markets of Amman, Aqaba or the airport shops.

Madaba Mosaics


The world’s best mosaic work can be found here. In fact, mosaic was born here to decorate the churches and other religious places. This colorful stone work can be used to decorate your new home, become the center piece in your living room and can also make for fabulous gifts.

Best place to buy: The town of Madaba is the best place to buy this, though one can find good mosaic work in the markets of Amman too.

Dead Sea Bath Salts and Mud Packs



The world over knows of the rejuvenation qualities of Dead Sea mud and its bath salts. If you are into skin care, beauty care, aromatic and therapeutic baths, then the Dead Sea mud and bath salts are just for you. These premium products make for some of the best gifts to your loved ones, especially to your wife or girl friend. You can choose from a wide variety of products depending on your needs.

Best place to buy: Almost anywhere in Jordan. You could buy it directly at your Dead Sea hotel, in Aqaba, in Amman or at your airport duty free shop.

Sage, Za,atar, Sumacand other Herbs and Spices



All food aficionados and cooks, the secret to delicious Jordanian food lies in its herbs. Za, atar, Sumacand and Sage are some of the names that come to mind. Sage tea is a great calming drink for your stomach. Za’atar and olive oil goes fabulously well with bread. Sumacand goes very well with your meat preparations. These herbs have a long shelf life too, which means that you can happily store them in our tropical weather.

Best place to buy: Amman would be the best place to buy these herbs, though you can also buy them in the markets of Aqaba.

Pistachios, Sunflower seeds and other seeds and nuts

Jordan may or may not necessarily grow the best nuts and seeds, but its markets are full of top quality nuts and seeds from neighbouring countries such as Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon and they are available at very reasonable prices. So, if you like to chomp on your nuts and seeds, then you should definitely buy a few kilograms of each. In my case, I love the pistachios and sunflower seeds. They are imported into Jordan from Iran and are available at about 35% of the price in India and way fresher than what we get here.

Best place to buy: The markets of Amman or Aqaba for the best quality stuff.

Traditional scarves or Keffiyehs



Men’s fashion in the Middle East means a long flowing gown with comfortable foot wear and colorful scarves. These scarves, locally known as Keffiyehs are not only a style statement, but they protect your head and neck from the blazing sun and they give the locals an idea of your roots (country, race, ethnicity, etc.). They also make for a great way to embrace the local culture and are a great ice-breaker when it comes to conversations with locals.

Best place to buy: Almost anywhere in Jordan.

Holy water from the Jordan River

The Jordan river at Bethany is where Jesus was baptized. A lot of people visit this place from the world over to get baptized here. They take a dip here and some even carry the holy water back home. This holy water can be used as a religious charm and hence comes under the purview of religious gifts.

Best place to buy: The markets of Amman or the churches in and around Bethany and Madaba.

Tea, Coffee Sets



The Middle East has some of the most vibrant and dazzling tea and coffee sets. Jordan is no different. If you wish to up the style quotient of your hospitality, these tea and coffee sets make for a great accessory. They will certainly add glamour to your home parties. They make for exotic gifts too.

Best place to buy: The traditional markets of Amman and the airport shops.

Nargis, Shisha or Hookah



Some people call it Nargis. Some call it Shisha. Some call it hookah. If you like traditional smoking pipes, you will definitely like these Nargis/Shisha/Hookah. While they might be tough to carry on the plane, they can certainly add glamour and a bit of old world aesthetics to your living room . It is not necessarily that you have to use them to smoke, but you can use them for smoking if you wish.

Best place to buy: The traditional markets of Amman.

Ceramics

Hand painted ceramics with native motifs and traditional drawings are another thing to buy in Jordan. You could use them as wall decorating elements, use to serve food and beverages and give as beautiful gifts to friends and family.

Best place to buy: The markets of Amman, Aqaba, Madaba and the airport shops.

Bedouin Handicraft and Natural Goods



The Bedouin men and women make a lot of handiwork and use a lot of substances available in the nature around them. These could be soaps, fragrances, pottery work, embroidery, beeswax, colorful rugs, silver jewellery, frankincense, bone work and many others. All these items make for fantastic gifts, though I would definitely keep the frankincense all to myself as I absolutely adore their smell.

Best place to buy: The Bedouin camps at Wadi Rum and Petra.

Kajal or Kohl



One of the first things that you notice in a Middle Eastern lady is her eyes and for that you have to thank the local Kajal or Kohl that they use to highlight their eyes. If you are a woman or a girl, you might be very keen to get your hands on this Kohl. They are available almost everywhere and they don’t cost much at all. You could either buy it for your use in Jordan or stock up your make-up kit for your personal use.

Best place to buy: Almost anywhere in Jordan.

Musk Fragrance



In Wadi Rum, you will find a fragrance that is completely natural, but immensely popular the world over. This is the musk fragrance from the musk deer. You can find them with the Bedouin people in the Wadi Rum desert. This fragrance is great for both personal use and for gifting.

Best place to buy: Either with the Bedouin people in Wadi Rum, in the markets of Amman or in airport shops.

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Travel Talk: Most Inspiring Destinations

Inspiration is a relative thing. For some people it’s music, for others it’s a wide stunning landscape. It also depends on what we need in a particular moment in our lives – at one moment a bit of architecture can unleash our own personal sense of invention, at others the play of wild animals can help us feel connected with the planet when we were feeling a spate of loneliness.

The world is full of places, people, animals, and vistas that can lift us up. We’ve put together a list of seven trips you can take around the world that just might help give you a much-needed boost when you’re feeling a little run down.

Miami, USA

Miami isn’t just for retirees anymore. The city has become synonymous with the word “culture”. Teeming with galleries, performing art troupes, music production from multiple genres, and conventions that celebrate everything from body-painting to ethnic-based film festivals, Miami seems to have something big going on three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

Petra, Jordan



There are of course historical sites a-plenty in the world, but there’s something especially inspiring about the way Petra merges into the rock walls of Jordan. It’s a beautiful meshing of uplifting architecture meeting the natural beauty of the surrounding red rock landscape.

The Continental Divide

Sometimes you just have an overwhelming desire to get up and go. For some people, that means going wherever their feet (and their visas) take them. However for those that would like something a little more goal-oriented, there is the Continental Divide Trail.

The CDT is a hike-able trail stretching from Canada to Mexico. Unlike other long-stretching trails, the CDT is still a bit of an adventure in that it is not always 100% defined. That means that sometimes the CDT is more of a vague guide rather than an actual well-trodden trail.

Santorini, Greece

If you’re looking for something with a Mediterranean flavour give Santorini a thought. First, it’s in an active volcano area – you’re likely to tackle life with a little more vigour when you’ve got a volcano to keep you motivated. Second, the art and architecture is a blend of western European and eastern Turkish flavours. Third, Jacques Cousteau loved it (he even hunted for Atlantis in the area). If Jacques Cousteau loved it (and that guy had been everywhere) then you know that it’s worth trying out. 

teamLab’s Japanese Art

If you’re looking for a new paradigm try out teamLab. teamLab is a group of Japanese artists who collaborate to blend new technologies with traditional Japanese art to explore different approaches for human behaviour in the information age. If that sounds like a mouthful, just know that they create some truly stunning displays that you can move through and explore. Their art has both a travelling show and installations in galleries and museums around the world.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia



Like Petra mentioned above, Angkor Wat is an amazing blend of nature and human architecture. Temples, statues, and other forms of architecture move through the Cambodian jungle in an almost liquid dance.

Penguin Colonies of Antarctica



There’s something immensely moving about visiting the hundreds of thousands of penguins that mate on the shores of the Antarctic (and the nearby islands), reached by an Antarctic cruise. In the face of so many of these dapper tuxedoed birds you get a really strong feeling about how alive the world is.
That feeling is often multiplied in an exponential fashion when the penguins, completely unafraid of human visitors, waddle over to investigate you just as much as you are investigating them.

Photo Courtesy: The Antarctica pictures are copyright of Oceanwide Expeditions.

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Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa: Rejuvenate yourself after your Jordan Adventure

The heritage city of Petra, the natural wonder called the Dead Sea, the Martian landscapes of Wadi Rum, the mosaic capital of Madaba, the beach destination of Aqaba and the bustling capital of Amman, Jordan is so full of amazing holiday destinations and attractions. Somewhere hidden amidst all this is another natural gem called Ma’in Hot Springs, a therapeutic waterfall that is tucked amidst spectacular mountain landscape. Along with the mud spa of the Dead Sea, the Ma’in Hot Springs is a fantastic place to rejuvenate yourself and return home a recharged and reborn person.

At the end of my Jordan holiday, I spent a couple of days soaking myself in the hot springs and giving myself the best of all of its therapeutic benefits. While I was here, I stayed at the luxurious Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa. This review is based on this recent experience of mine and hopefully will help you choose your hotel property while you explore Ma’in Hot Springs in Jordan.

1) Like the Dead Sea, the Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa is located about 264 metres below mean sea level and is surrounded by beautiful mountains, greenery and a hot springs waterfall. All the rooms at this property give you some sort of mountain view. If you prefer a waterfall view, do make sure that you ask for it.

2) One of the biggest perks of this property is the fact that you can enjoy the hot springs without having to go to the hot springs. The Ma’in Hot Springs resort and spa have thoughtfully converted a cave and a swimming pool into a hot spa experience where in you get the safety of a luxury property and a swimming pool and the therapeutic benefits of a hot springs. This hot spring pool faces the waterfall and the mountains and gives you great vantage points and a through hot spa experience.

3) Sometimes, too much of a hot spa can get to you and that is where the Olympic size pool (cold water) of the hotel comes in handy. For hot sunny days, this pool is like a god send.

4) The hotel has a classic decor and its library and even the benches under the trees appeal to all the book lovers. There is nothing like a hot spa followed by a read and a quick nap.

5) The hotel has a great assortments of restaurants and bars ranging from a cliff top Arabic restaurant, a restaurant overlooking the waterfall, a communal styled outdoor dining in a Bedouin tent to a thermal pool bar, a cellar for wine lovers and a terrace bar.

6) In addition to the natural hot spring, the hotel has an in-house spa that offers a unique steam cave, Dead Sea therapies and signature treatments to ensure pure rejuvenation.

7) All rooms at the hotel do have free Wi-Fi, but connectivity is patchy due to the remoteness of this region.

8) The property is located about 60 kms from Amman and about 30 kms from Madaba and is hence not too far away from civilization and fall enroute to top Jordan attractions such as the Dead Sea, Bethany and Petra.

If you are on your Jordan holiday and wish to spend some time totally relaxing and rejuvenating yourself, I would recommend that you look up Ma’in Hot Springs Resort and Spa and their natural hot springs.

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Petra Guest House: Perfect Location for exploring Petra

A visit to Petra, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, is definitely a highlight of a holiday to Jordan and hence it is a no-brainer when you decide to keep a significant chunk of your Jordan holiday itinerary for it. As there is a lot to explore in the Petra archaeological park, also an UNESCO world heritage site, it is best to stay real close to the park entrance so that you don’t have to spend too much time in covering the top attractions.

During my recent visit to Petra, I stayed at the Petra Guest House and I hope that this review of my hotel experience will help you in choosing your Petra hotels for your Jordan holiday.

1) Petra Guest House is on the lines of a 4 star business class hotel. It has all the modern amenities taken care of. The rooms are a bit small, but otherwise top class. If you prefer a mountain view, do make sure that you ask for it.



2) The best part about this property is its locations. It is located just a couple of steps from the visitor center where you can get your tickets and make the grand entrance to the Petra archaeoogical park. As Petra by night is a must-see activity, being close to the entrance gate really helps. Due to this proximity, I could go for sunrise walks, post breakfast walks, sunset trips and even get to see Petra by night without having to plan anything else.

3) Breakfast served at the hotel is in buffet style. Cuisine was Mediterranean and continental and it was decent.



4) The original Nabatean Cave bar and its large piazza in the hotel is a must-experience attraction and it makes for a great relaxed getaway after a long day walking and climbing in the Petra archaeological park.

5) Free Wi-Fi is present in the hotel and the speeds are good. The hotel also provides the services of an in-house business center.

6) As the hotel is located right next to the visitor center, the Petra shopping area is not too far away and hence you can go souvenir hunting whenever you find time.



7) There are a whole bunch of restaurants that are located real close to the hotel in case you wish to try out some specific local fare.

If you are looking for a comfortable 4 star hotel for yourself and/or your family that is located close to Petra entrance gate, you should definitely look up the Petra Guest House.

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