Petra, Jordan

I arrived in the evening in Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) right outside of Petra where it was windy, snowing and raining.  Here met up with again with my two Australian friends that I had met in the deserts of Egypt.  It rained for 2 more days where I was forced to sit inside the most unpleasant place on earth...The Valentine Inn.  Lonely Planet's Middle East book lists the Valentine Inn as "the quintessential backpacker hotel" which makes me now convinced that no one from the Lonely Planet crew has ever even been to Jordan.  I'm not going to complain much about all the details but hopefully the word will spread and this place will cease to exist.  Basically, the whole of Wadi Musa is a virus feeding off the wonderful world class ruins of Petra.  Get in, go to Petra and get out is my only advice.

Finally the weather cleared and I was able to go to the "Red Rose City"  The Entrance fee is exuberant but it is a sight that cannot be missed.

The road leading down into the valley of Petra.

The valley walls of solid rock cut straight up on both sides.  Then at the bottom the sandstone walls break away and reveal the Treasury, the most iconic image of Petra.

The locals are quite proud of one particular movie that made this sight famous.

Petra is quite large.  It's possible to see it in one day but 2 days are better as there are numerous hiking trails throughout the valley.  I did it in only one because I was already falling behind schedule but I left very satisfied with what I saw.  It's impossible to post enough photos of this place to do it justice.  Absolutely incredible.  

This last one is from "Little Petra"  Another set of ruins that are free and well worth a visit outside of the Bedouin village near Wadi Musa.  The sandstone here is more golden colored.