Jordan: Petra II (10/28/2023)

Saturday, October 28. 2023 (continued)

We continued our trek past the Street of Façades.

The Theater, the only amphitheater in the world
that is carved into rock, which could hold
4,000 spectators before the Romans arrived
to double the size (and add box seats? - they are
actually old tombs opened during enlargement)

The Royal Tombs: Urn Tomb, a simple classical tomb
façade with a pediment, also has a colonnaded courtyard
and a vaulted substructure; the interior of the tomb
was converted to a Byzantine church in 446 CE

Another Royal Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb,
so-named because of the column capitals
that are actually Nabataean capitals on
a complex classical façade

A view of the Royal Tombs from the Corinthian
to the Urn Tomb; all along the trail after the Siq,
donkey drivers tried to tempt us with a ride
 to the Monastery; however, we were determined
to be the oldest of our group to do it all on foot!

Hmm, water delivery in the middle of Petra

The Nymphaeum/public fountain has a wild pistachio tree (KSS)

The Colonnaded Street thought to be the principal
shopping street of Petra

Steps leading up to the "Great Temple," a series of three
levels including two huge colonnaded terraces totaling
6,000 sqm/1.5 acres  that were more likely used as a royal
reception hall; we were saving our energy for the climb
to the Monastery, and skipped these stairs which
we were then too tired to climb afterwards!

Photo op with "Nabataean guards" at the Temenos Gate,
the gate to the sacred precinct

 "Nabataean guards" were practicing drills to the beat of a drum

Now here is the real temple, given the name Qasr al-Bint/castle
of the pharaoh's daughter, by the Bedouins; it is thought
this temple was dedicated to the Nabataean god Dushara

Camels were available to ride the distance between
the Treasury and the start of the climb to the Monastery

Although the Bedouins were given housing to move out
of Petra, many still use the rock chambers to live
during the tourist season, while other family members
live with their nomadic tribes in tents, and very few
actually live in the provided housing

A two-car garage and single garage; the chambers
are also used to shelter the pack animals

The vendors along the way called out from their
seated positions, but did not bother chasing us

The detail and repetition of patterns on multiple
scarves makes me doubt they are hand-made by locals,
but the designs were exquisite

Looking back down the trail; some of the stairs
were newly carved, but most were eroded sandstone

A hazy view at the cliff where the
Royal Tombs are carved into the base

Kitten at one of the "tea houses"

It was slow-going, but we made it up the
900 or so steps to Ad Deir/the Monastery

The largest monument at Petra, this was a biclinium/
meeting hall for religious associations, and later
used as a Christian chapel, thus the name

One could climb even higher; because we heard thunder
we decided to stay away from the possibilty of lightning
(right, like that's why we did not go up there!)

For a tip, we received a key for the restrooms
(the port-a-potties were padlocked)

Now we had to go all the way back 5.25 km/3.8 miles (for a total of more than 10.5 km/7.6 miles!).

Another version of this design

Capparis spinosa/Caper Bush with blossoms

Locals and tourists check out each other

I think the Captain Sparrow character was the
one who trotted by on his donkey while texting

Even in the Siq, one could take a Club Car

Here are the puppies again

The Cave Bar uses an old tomb space, thus it is the oldest
bar location in the world

Inside are cozy seatings in loculi/burial cells!

We joined fellow travelers, the Air Force pilots' group, for drinks

Kent & Tamiko at the Cave Bar entrance

We still had time for the Petra Museum (2019, by
Yamashita Sekkei using a grant from the
Japan International Co-operation Agency)

Sections of pipe (for transporting water from the water
channels to public buildings and residences) show
an understanding of hydraulics

Bust (1C CE) of the Nabataean god Dushara

Quern/flat stone used for grinding 8800-
6400 BCE); this stone has been worn through

Flint blades (before 6900 BCE)

Mother-of-pearl and beads made from red limestone,
turquoise, white shell, and hematite form a child's
necklace (7500-6800 BCE) (KSS)

Head of Medusa (1C CE)

Representation of a Nabataean funerary ceremony
by sharing food and burning incense on the wooden coffin

Goddes of Hayyan' Idol (1C CE)

Decorations on plates (1-4C CE) (KSS)

Nabataean inscription (9-10 CE)
reads from the right

Incense burner

Vase (170-210 CE) with lioness handles is
made with Phrygian marble from Anatolia

Hot air balloon in Jordanian flag colors

Dinner was on our own at the Petra Marriott Hotel;
we opted to eat at the Aretas Bar & Lounge,
starting with lentil soup with pita chips in it ...

... then a Petra burger and fries

Next: Amman.