Petra day 2

Nothing I'd read or heard about Petra could've prepared me for the sheer awesomeness of this ancient city.  Even walking through the 1km long siq gave me no real clue as to the magnitude of the place.  It has to be seen to be believed.  No picture really does it justice.  Everything is huuuuuge and the climbs are long and arduous - particularly in the intense heat of August, with very little shade.  But the views and the experience are priceless.  Walking through such ancient history was ana amazing experience I'll never forget.  I still can't believe how well preserved it all is - admittedly there has been restoration work done in places, but to think that such humungous structures were built so long ago and are still standing is unbelievable.  We started our trek as soon as Petra was opened for the day - at 7:30 and we walked, climbed, walked, climbed and walked some more, until we got back to our hotel room after 2pm in the afternoon thoroughly exhausted, but totally awed.

Walking through the siq (cleft)

My first glimpse of 'The Treasury'

The Treasury in all it's glory

Looking down on what is only a tiny part of Petra

Taking a break at 'The High Place of Sacrifice'

Tombs and houses

A carving of a lion next to what used to be a waterfall.  The Lion's mouth is open as if to drink the water

On top of the world!  I was actually very scared here!  Great views over the Wadi Araba, not far from Jabal Harun - where Moses' brother Aaron is supposed to have died

El Deir - the Monastery.  It was an arduous climb at the hottest part of the day.  Temps were almost 40 degrees centigrade with zero shade and direct sunlight!