Petra... and so much more!

For our first morning in Jordan, many of our group started it out by watching the sunrise as we rode camels! We shared breakfast in the large dome then left Sun City camp to drive to Petra, of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO world heritage site. Most people associate the image of the treasury with Petra; it is really the beginning of the sites to see. The name Petra is derived from the Greek word 'petros', which means rocks.

Petra is believed have been established in 312 BC, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. It was the capital city of Nabateans, who were ancient southern Arab people that arrived in Jordan around the 6th century BC. They were essentially the makers of one of the most extraordinary civilizations This was a trade center and the financial center of the ancient world,
being situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.

Petra is home to roughly 800 tombs, therefore known as the "Royal Tombs", with the most renowned being The Treasury. The Treasury was originally built as a mausoleum and crypt, and is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. It was discovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. If the scenery looks familiar to you is because it has been used in several films, the most popular one being Indiana Jones and the last Crusade.

It wouldn't have been possible for Petra to exist if it had not been for the water channel system that was constructed.. As a result, there was apparently enough water to support the 30,000 citizens that are believed to have occupied Petra at its first century peak.. What remains left is mainly from the Nabateans period. The Nabateans were extremely skilled water engineers, traders, builders and carvers. There was even built a large swimming pool by the palace.. in the middle of the desert!

We spent most of the day at Petra, walking through together as a group and then having some optional hikes before and after lunch. We had the opportunity to ride donkeys and mules up out of the canyon instead of walking up a long, steep hill to the bus.

Our hotel was only a few minutes away, and very unique one called the Olde Village Hotel. This is the property of an old Turkish village which was purchased and renovated into beautiful hotel rooms nestled into a terraced hill. Our dinner buffet was the nicest food we have seen it on this trip!

Our passage of the day:
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Psalms 8:1-9 ESV