During one of my side trips whilst working in Iraq for the UN Oil For Food organisation I had the pleasure of staying at Petra with a group of fellow Inspectors.

Being Australian it is hard to relate to civilisations this old but I was in awe of the place. Its beauty, size, colour and location was absolutely amazing (although the camel ride was a bit numbing).

Even though we spent three days there it wasn't enough to take in all the sites within this ancient city.

For those of you who are intending to visit Jordan I can only urge you to see for yourself the majestic buildings dug into the mountain sides and the sheer beauty of the place. There is no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy it.

Certainly not to be missed when planning a visit to Jordan. Impressive, fascinating, dramatic, at least worth a two day visit, Petra will keep your mind busy for a long time.

We went to Petra, the old Nabataean Capital, last July and we were fascinated. Sometimes you go with high expectations to a place and when you're finally there...it's disappointing. But not here. Don't be afraid, your expectations will be exceeded.
Of course everyone, or almost everyone, knows what at the end of the Siq (canyon): the Treasury. Yes, I saw "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" too. But anyhow, it's a breathtaking view.
But there's a lot of other things to see: the Roman Theater, the Kings Tombs, the amazing color of the stones etc. So be sure that you stay in Petra for at least one day.
If you are not too lazy you should take the walk up to the High Sacrifice Place. Take the long way up (1,5 h) and the short way down (30 minutes). Believe me, it's easier this way. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking view over Petra. Take enough water with you for this hike!
There aren't a lot of possibilities to buy lunch. The best thing you can do is bring your own food with you and have a picnic in these amazing surroundings. But there are a few places where you can buy a cold soft drink or have a refreshing, hot tea (no kidding, give it a try!). Make sure, that you drink enough. The summers in Jordan are very hot (100°F/40°C and more). And you will walk quite a few miles in Petra. So don't wear sandals or even flip flops. And make sure that you bring a sunglass, a hat and suntan lotion with you. Long trousers and a blouse with long sleeves are also recommended (the Beduins are Muslims and it will protect you against sunburn).
Although it's very hot in the summer I would go to Petra any time again. The summer isn't the peak season in Jordan, so there aren't that much tourists as in the fall (peak season). And the prices for the souvenirs are better, too! Don't forget to haggle with the Beduins (except at the shop with the sandbottles, the prices here are fixed). So if you don't bother about the heat, go to Jordan in the summer.

One of the most wonderful treasures in the world, breath-taking scenery, magical and sacred. Hiding in Wadi Musa in the vast Jordanian desert, I loved it.