Petra, Jordan: City of Stone

For most people in the world the desert landscape around southern Jordan is absolutely unique. However, if you ever ever been to Moab Utah then you know exactly what the area around Petra Jordan looks like. Although the scenery is the same the Bedouin people, camels and cities carved in stone make this place truly unique. Lindsay and I arrived in Petra in late afternoon after a very long taxi ride from Amman (about 3 hours). We arrived in the small village of Wadi Musa and couldn't wait to make the 30 minute hike down into the stone city of Petra. This amazing place was built by the Nabataeans in the 3rd century BC. They carved Temples, palaces and tombs into the red desert cliffs. The area was made famous because the main building is were Indian Jones and the last crusade was filmed. The hike from Wadi Musa down into Petra looks like the "narrows" hike in southern Utah. There is a narrow trail in between tall red and orange cliffs. After what seems like forever the trial finally opens up and you are looking straight at the most magnificent of all of Petra's buildings: The Treasury. When we arrived the evening light was just perfect and we were absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the magnificent structure that stood before us. Not only was the building beautiful but the camels, horses, donkeys and local children playing made the scene truly unique. We spent the rest of the evening exploring the treasury and taking in this amazing place. The next 2 days of our trip were devoted to hiking around and exploring all of the other buildings and sites. We will never forget this one-of-a-kind place.