Petra: Top Rated, Tips, Ideas, History??!!

[TLCOhio]

From the Barrons publication yesterday, they had this headline: “Great Escapes: The Majesty of Petra”  with these highlights: “Petra is regarded as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, with the ancient city being rediscovered in the early 20th century. It's now an in-demand travel destination as scorching hot for bucket-listers as the desert which surrounds it.  Petra's actual roots stretch back over two millennia further than its modern 'rediscovery'—and the area as a whole was settled some 7,000 years prior to that—when Petra served as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. The city thrived with tens of thousands of residents and served as a crucial trading waypoint, before falling to the Romans and losing significance due to trade by sea, along with a devastating earthquake in the 4th century. Much of the city was destroyed, though luckily for modern travelers, there's still a jaw-dropping abundance of splendor to soak up in Petra.”

 

We super loved late last year our exploring of Petra, plus to nearby Wadi Rum.  More details and many visuals can been seen on my live/blog connected below.  This profile also notes: "Don't skip a visit to the surreal landscape of Wadi Rum, whose vast expense, sand dunes, and stunning rock formations, such as the Seven Pillars, and the Burdah Bridge, a traversable rock archway some 1,600 meters above the desert, are singularly stunning."  YES!!  Agree as to Wadi Rum being amazing, also!

 

Full story at:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/great-escapes-the-majesty-of-petra-jordan-01559338200

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Here is one of the visuals used to illustrate Petra and its historic sights.:

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[TLCOhio]

From late last fall in considering for doing this Athens to Dubai, 20-day sailing with Oceania, one of the top attractions for us was being able to visit Jordan and Petra for the first time.  Were our expectations met?  Maybe exceeded??  YES, YES!!  And then some by a very, very large measure.  Need evidence and proof?  See my below visuals to verify the point.  From about 500+ photographs taken that day, I have worked and worked to narrow the selections down to just my top 38.  

 

Fortunately, we both booked a private tour for the four of us to visit historic Petra. . . AND . . . also arranged for a later afternoon stop at Wadi Rum, another Jordan "Super Star"!  I planned our tour through the good folks at www.jo-horizonstours.com.  They were excellent to work with, ask questions, do schedule fine-tuning, etc.   We got up very early and met our expert guide/driver, Amjad Omish, at 6:30 am. It took about two and a half hours to reach Petra, including a nice gift/shopping stop at a super scenic location.  Our guide in making the tour down to and around Petra was Wasfi AL-Hendawi.  He was really awesome in explaining all of the details, history, background, etc., for Petra.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 220,783 views.

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As we neared Petra, we traveled up, UP mountains in Jordan.  We were over a mile-high at certain stages.  Here is the view of the area as we approached  this history town that was a key trading city.  We traveledvia the old historic Silk Road.  It is also called the Kings' Highway dating back to Bible-times, 2000 years ago.:

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Because Milt in our group of four was just recovering from serious back disk challenges, we were able to pay extra and have an electric golf cart to take us down and back.  This traveling method was much quicker and safer that the wild drivers of those horse-carts.  Here we are stopped at one point to check out more closely the details for this "Siq", a narrow crevice-canyon lined with niches that once held statues of gods and spirits that protected the city.  Our guide is wearing the aqua-color hat. Second is a picture of our group as we neared the famed Treasury.  See how narrow is this Siq?  Fourth is that amazing "first view" of the Treasury through these narrow canyon walls.  Amazing!!??:

 

 

 

Here are some close-ups and added details for this Treasury structure that is carved into the sandstones here in Jordan.  This complex was hidden from the outside world for hundreds of years.   Like the third shot of this camel in front of the Treasury?  Cute??  Finally, our group is right here in front of this structure from the Indian Jones film!:

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Below is part two from our day at Petra.  Like camels and unique architecture, design and history?  Yes??!!  More to come. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 235,615 views.

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For our two grandsons, ages eight and six, in Charlottesville, Va., we knew that they would love seeing these various camel pictures.  More camel snaps to come later from Wadi Run.  Hope others like seeing these unique animals!:

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In addition to the Treasury, it is important to "turn right" and walk farther and down hill to experience more from Petra.  Many more interesting structures and rock carvings can been seen, including a large outdoor theater carved into the solid stone.  The final visual gives some sense of the "scale" of these large "buildings" compared to the people walking around.  Some of the more primitive-looking carving were done in the earlier days before they were able to perfect and make their designs more sophisticated and complicated.:

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Below finishes more of the visual samples from the main areas of historic Petra, including the Royal Tombs. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 83,028 views.

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First is a view of the Royal Tombs at Petra.  No, sorry, I did not try to climb all of the way up to the top there. I know my limits!!  But, many other visitors, mostly those younger of age and legs, did go up there for a closer examination.  The fourth picture shows the "sacrifice" site where such ceremonies were conducted on animals at Petra.  Fifth shows the Treasury structure closer with two "guards" positioned in front of it.  Their shields and swords were rather "fakey" but it was all of part of "experience". :

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[TLCOhio]

While our friends, Amy and Milt, both having had serious back challenges, took the electric golf cart back to the main visitor's center, my wife and I stayed longer and then did the long hike back.  It took some time and effort.  BUT, it was super worth it in being able to sample more of the many visuals "treats" and unique angles/sights.  Plus, I gained many more special photographic opportunities.   For those more challenged in seeking to get back, there were those horse carts available to haul people back up the include and reach the visitors center.  But, the "suspension" system for those carts is non-existent and it can be rough traveling over the stone passage way of the Siq. 

 

Our travel firm (Horizon) was very flexible as to how much time we wanted to spend down in the Petra historic area.  After completing our hike back, we called our driver on a cell phone he provided to us for letting him know we had completed this "journey".  Now, we were ready for the buffet lunch at a nearby hotel.  Excellent lunch!!  Not just a canned, boring Tourist 101 version of dining.  

 

Next will be a visual sampling from Wadi Rum.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Many visuals, details for a city with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 28,114 views.

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Going back from Petra via the Siq can be challenging!.  It's uphill, plus dodging those horse carriages roaring down this narrow passageway.  Much fun with many places to pause, rest, sample the sights, etc.:

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After completing our long "walk" (or the semi-death-march for me) back from Petra, here is my wife with our very friendly and helpful guide, Wasfi AL-Hendawi.  Overall, I have been pleased with how my body and legs have been holding up.  It was late May 2018 when I had a total knee replacement done on my left knee.  All operating well!!  It's just that my stamina is still not quite back to 100%.  Maybe it's a little about my age, too??:  

 

[TLCOhio]

Wadi Rum Nature Reserve is also known as “The Valley of the Moon”.  This location has amazing sandstone and granite rock formations.  It was used as a background location for much of the film “Lawrence of Arabia”. More recently, earlier this month, they completed shooting segments for an upcoming version of “Star Wars”.  It also was used for the movie, Martian, plus its settings stood in for the planet Mars in the movie “Red Planet” in 2000.

 

Inhabited for centuries, Wadi Rum shelters a number of important Nabatean temples, along with ancient petroglyphs. Today, many Bedouins live here and serve as guides to those exploring Wadi Rum's wonders.  Many like to climb the rocks here.  You can also arrange for camping, etc.  You can obtain more information by checking the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature website (www.rscn.org.jo), which contains specific information about eco-tourism to these dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum and at other nature and wildlife reserves in the Kingdom of Jordan.

 

THANKS! Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio.

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 63,931 views:

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Near Petra, we passed by this mountain.  This is the location where Moses' brother, Aaron died before the Israelites crossed the North Jordan River.  Arron was buried on Mount Hor and you can see a portion of the memorial erected on this site near Petra.:

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At Wadi Rum, these visuals give you a small sampling for what we experienced while being driven around in the back of a Toyota four-wheel vehicle by a Bedouin driver.  Great fun and exciting exploring around on the reddish sands of this scenic location.  In the third picture, we can got some people on the top of this rock formation to spell out our home state of "O-H-I-O".  They were able to get most all of the four letters done correctly.:  

 

 

 

This next picture at Wadi Rum gives an idea for the type of vehicles used to explore this area.  Second is a picture of Amy and Milt enjoying this unique environment and the super special sights.  Do they look happy?? Yes, it was getting cool out here late on this afternoon and we were glad to be bundled up to keep warm.  Third is another wonderful camel sighting in the dessert!:

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Here are the final visuals from Wadi Rum.  It was getting a little cloudy late in the afternoon and the sun was starting to set.  Did we we get any interesting views for this late in the day?  See below!!  From this location, it was only about 50-60 minutes back to our ship and its port location.  After starting the day at 6:30 am with our tour pick-up, we returned exactly at 6 pm.  Two hours ahead of our sailing-away time.  

 

THANKS! Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio.

 

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From Wadi Rum in Jordan, here are some of our final visual samples and treats.  This includes my wife with our Bedouin driver.  The various sunset views and impacts on the rock formations was an "Exclamation Point" for a wonderful day and experience in Jordan.  Great memories!!  Do these pictures bring back memories for those who have visited this part of the world?:

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[sansterre]

Great post - thank you so much.

We hope to get to Petra next year.  The ship is there overnight.

Would you recommend one day at Petra and one day at Wadi Rum?

I am limited in my walking ability so wondering if we will need two days at Petra.

OTOH, I am willing to take golf carts, donkeys, and or camels to see as much as we can.

DH might do some stairs.  I cannot.

Appreciate any other suggestions you might have for limited mobility people like me.

[cruise kitty]

Hi Terry,   May I ask, how far ahead did you book with Jordan Horizons?  I plan on booking with them for our 2021 trip (yes, It's a year & a half away lol)  we both know the great guides get booked early so I'm trying to pre plan.   Ramadan starts at sunset the day of our Jordan stop so I'm thing that will also factor into the number of guide available.

 

Thanks in advance!

[TLCOhio]

4 hours ago, sansterre said:

Great post - thank you so much.  We hope to get to Petra next year.  The ship is there overnight.  Would you recommend one day at Petra and one day at Wadi Rum?

I am limited in my walking ability so wondering if we will need two days at Petra.  OTOH, I am willing to take golf carts, donkeys, and or camels to see as much as we can.  DH might do some stairs.  I cannot.  Appreciate any other suggestions you might have for limited mobility people like me.

 

Appreciate your kind comments and these good questions.  Understand your serious physical challenges.  As I noted with Milt in our group late last fall, we were so glad that things worked well with Petra's new, electric, golf cart-like vehicles.  It is a serious distance to walk down there.  Plus, walking back is "uphill" and that tests your physical strength even more.  A caution as to taking the donkey-pulled carts is that the "cushion" on those vehicles is almost no-existent.  AND, the drivers tend to speed them fast in going down there to the main treasury site.  In traveling at a higher rate over this rough and rocky route can make such travel even more challenging for fragile bodies and brains.  In the main area, there are many options and aspects to explore, climb, etc.  Given your physical limitations, the net time needed down there will be limited.  That makes it easier to allow the time to go to Wadi Rum. 

 

Overall, it is good you have two days in this region.  BUT, I liked having just one long day to do both for us.  Your choice!!??  Given the "logistics" and travel distance, there are various pro/con factors in deciding for doing both in one day versus spreading it over two days. From our experience, we are so glad that we were able to do both!!  Each location was a wonderful, unique and amazing experience.  Other questions and info needs?    

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 45,659 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

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[TLCOhio]

17 hours ago, cruise kitty said:

Hi Terry,   May I ask, how far ahead did you book with Jordan Horizons?  I plan on booking with them for our 2021 trip (yes, It's a year & a half away lol)  we both know the great guides get booked early so I'm trying to pre plan.   Ramadan starts at sunset the day of our Jordan stop so I'm thing that will also factor into the number of guide available.   Thanks in advance!

 

Glad to hear you are researching and planning far ahead.  Smart!!  For us with Jordan Horizons, I went back and checked my file.  We wrote to them April 4, 2018, in preparing for our Nov. 27, 2018, visit to Jordan.  That was plenty of time ahead.  But write to them whenever is handy for your purposes.  Am sure they can clarify how the Ramadan timing might affect your situation.   

 

I have to share that communicating with this firm was super excellent.  I had lots and lots and lots of different questions.  They were very, very good with their detailed responses and options offered.  AND, their actual service and performance was also super first-rate and highly responsive!!!   Given our special needs and desire for flexibility, it ALL worked super well.  

 

Keep the good questions rolling.  Happy to share more.  

 

Their e-mail is: jo.horizons@gmail.com.  Their website: www.jo-horizonstours.com.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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[cruise kitty]

4 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Glad to hear you are researching and planning far ahead.  Smart!!  For us with Jordan Horizons, I went back and checked my file.  We wrote to them April 4, 2018, in preparing for our Nov. 27, 2018, visit to Jordan.  That was plenty of time ahead.  But write to them whenever is handy for your purposes.  Am sure they can clarify how the Ramadan timing might affect your situation.   

 

I have to share that communicating with this firm was super excellent.  I had lots and lots and lots of different questions.  They were very, very good with their detailed responses and options offered.  AND, their actual service and performance was also super first-rate and highly responsive!!!   Given our special needs and desire for flexibility, it ALL worked super well.  

 

Keep the good questions rolling.  Happy to share more.  

 

Their e-mail is: jo.horizons@gmail.com.  Their website: www.jo-horizonstours.com.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,695 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Thank you Terry!  I've read your terrific review, as well as several others for Jordan Horizons, & it seems that they are a great fit for us !

[TLCOhio]

On 6/3/2019 at 12:43 PM, cruise kitty said:

Thank you Terry!  I've read your terrific review, as well as several others for Jordan Horizons, & it seems that they are a great fit for us !

 

Appreciate your very kind and nice follow-up.  Glad to hear you are moving forward for your smart Jordan planning.  

 

From the Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax newspapers in Australia last week, they had this headline: “Travel trends and destinations: The nine biggest things in travel right now”  with these highlights: “Travel is fashion. Destinations are trends. Sometimes you don't realise it, but there are certain places you'll want to travel to now because they've come into fashion.”

 

Here is what was highlighted for Jordan as one of these top, most important locations to visit: "The Middle East is the little region that could, an area that cops so much bad publicity, and yet is becoming increasingly popular with travellers hoping to see things with their own eyes. Tourist arrivals into Israel are at record highs. More foreigners than ever are visiting the Palestinian Territories. Iran continues to grow in popularity. And Jordan – a country that has escaped the troubles its neighbours have suffered, plus has drawcards such as Petra and the Dead Sea – is receiving visitors in record numbers."

 

Full story at:

http://www.traveller.com.au/travel-trends-and-destinations-the-nine-biggest-things-in-travel-right-now-h1eub5

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From CNN, the cable news network, they had this headline late last month: “Abandoned sacred places around the world”  with these highlights related to Petra: “The Treasury, in particular, was an unforgettable experience. 'That's like an adventure, you walk down a long tunnel in the mountain, then suddenly, it opens up after a mile. You see the treasury-- it looks majestic, but the treasury is a misnomer, it's actually a tomb full of medieval religious images," he recalls.  'In that case, the spirituality of it was not obvious unless you're looking for certain signs, but certainly you get an impression of an amazing civilizations, which blended together.' ”

 

This story with many pictures is about an author Lawrence Joffe.  His new book is "Abandoned Sacred Places" .  It "examines tombs, cathedrals, churches, mosques, synagogues and burial places across the world, which time has marauded and nature's reclaimed."  This story brings back nice memories and important details related to Petra and its historic importance.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/abandoned-sacred-places-world/index.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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To illustrate this article, they had this visuals of Petra, Jordan.  They noted: "The Treasury in Jordan isn't really a treasury, but a mausoleum. In Arabic, it's called Al-Khazneh. Petra was Nabatea's capital from the 3rd century BCE until the Romans annexed the city in 106CE.":

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

[TLCOhio]

From the Sydney Morning Herald and other Fairfax newspapers in Australia in the past week, they had this headline: “World's 10 most spectacular hot air balloon”  with details as to this option in both Luxor and at Wadi Rum Jordan.  

 

Here is one of the story highlights about WADI RUM, JORDAN: “The jagged mountains of southern Jordan make this one of the best ballooning spots in the Middle East. Unpredictable thermals mean you can't fly over Wadi Rum itself, but the desert scenery is still superb. As you take off at sunrise, the valley floor turns from black to orange, and rocky hills are splashed in red. Squint hard enough and you might spot the distant Red Sea.”

 

This is how they highlighted for LUXOR, EGYPT: "Glide above Luxor by balloon, away from the hubbub beneath, and you'll be mesmerised as thousands of years of civilisation sprout along the Nile's riverbanks in an unfolding of temples and tombs, railway lines and modern hotels, villages and date palms. As the sun comes up, it illuminates the immense columns of the temples of Karnak and Hatshepsut, with the silent Valley of the Queens hidden in the distant mountains."

 

Sound like a fun and interesting option?

 

Full story at:

http://www.traveller.com.au/traveller-10-ten-hot-air-balloon-adventures-h1f2by

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Now at over 13,000 views.   Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

This is a picture used to illustrate this article to reflect ballooning over Wadi Rum in southern Jordan.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

[sansterre]

Hi again. - 

It's me - the mobility challenged person.  Do you recall the name of the restaurant you went to.

They list several but then ask if we want to upgrade to another restaurant.

Did you upgrade, or have a choice of hotels/restaurants?

Also, how many were in your group?  I'm doing a small tour - 4 people, or maybe 6 or 8.

What size works best?

I think 4 at Wadi Rum, but not sure about the Petra tour.

[TLCOhio]

5 hours ago, sansterre said:

Hi again. -  It's me - the mobility challenged person.  Do you recall the name of the restaurant you went to. They list several but then ask if we want to upgrade to another restaurant.  Did you upgrade, or have a choice of hotels/restaurants?

Also, how many were in your group?  I'm doing a small tour - 4 people, or maybe 6 or 8. What size works best?  I think 4 at Wadi Rum, but not sure about the Petra tour.

 

Appreciate this excellent follow-up and your very good questions. It was the Petra Moon Hotel, about a block and a half from the entrance for where you start to go down to the Petra Treasury, as to where we had our lunch on that day.  It was a buffet set-up and it was extremely nice, attractive and tasty.  Super good!!  Below is just one visual. This was the location set-up and picked by our travel guide group.  Very handy, nice facility, etc., etc.  

 

There were four of us in our group.  Six could have worked.  Maybe eight.  Given our "special needs" with the logistics for Milt with his personal health challenges, having just four of us worked very well and aided the process.  

 

Need more?  Keep it coming.  Happy to share additional information.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 221,926 views.

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From this Petra Moon Hotel buffet, here is just one sample of the many, many different items offered for our enjoyment.  Very good and tasty!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From the South China Morning Post today, they had this headline: “Seven Silk Road destinations, from China to Italy: towns that grew rich on trade” with these sub-heads: "Settlements along the route linking Europe and Asia thrived by providing accommodation and services for countless traders. Formally established during the Han dynasty, it was a 19th-century German geographer who coined the term Silk Road."

 

Petra played a key role in this story and the trading operations. Here are more story highlights: “The location of the Nabataean capital, Petra, wasn’t chosen by chance.
Savvy nomadic herders realised the site would make the perfect pit-stop at the confluence of several caravan trails, including a route to the north through Palmyra (in modern-day Syria), the Arabian peninsula to the south and Mediterranean ports to the west.  Huge payments in the form of taxes and protection money were collected – no wonder the most magnificent of the sand­stone city’s hand-carved buildings is called the Treasury.  The Red Rose City is still a gold mine – today’s tourists pay a hefty US$70 fee to enter Petra. The Nabataeans would no doubt approve..”

 

Full story at:

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/travel/article/3016088/seven-silk-road-destinations-china-italy-towns-grew

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 46,077 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

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[kendon]

On 6/2/2019 at 10:08 AM, sansterre said:

Great post - thank you so much.

We hope to get to Petra next year.  The ship is there overnight.

Would you recommend one day at Petra and one day at Wadi Rum?

I am limited in my walking ability so wondering if we will need two days at Petra.

OTOH, I am willing to take golf carts, donkeys, and or camels to see as much as we can.

DH might do some stairs.  I cannot.

Appreciate any other suggestions you might have for limited mobility people like me.

One day at each is plenty.   You will do A LOT of walking at Petra.  Sure, there is always more to see at Petra, but you don't want to miss Wadi Rum if you only have two days.

[sansterre]

1 hour ago, kendon said:

One day at each is plenty.   You will do A LOT of walking at Petra.  Sure, there is always more to see at Petra, but you don't want to miss Wadi Rum if you only have two days.

Thank you.  I'm arranging a small group tour to both Petra and Wadi Rum.  It will be two very full days!!

[ypgal]

Thank you for your very informative take on Petra and Wadi Run.  Your narrative and pics are truly amazing.  Thank you for sharing. We are planning on booking with Horizons based on your recommendation.  We are only in port for 12 hours which hopefully will be plenty of time to do both.

[TLCOhio]

On 7/11/2019 at 7:47 PM, ypgal said:

Thank you for your very informative take on Petra and Wadi Run.  Your narrative and pics are truly amazing.  Thank you for sharing. We are planning on booking with Horizons based on your recommendation.  We are only in port for 12 hours which hopefully will be plenty of time to do both.

 

Doing BOTH in less than 12 hours is aggressive, but hopefully possible.  Clearly, we were so glad we were able to experience each of these amazing and world-class locations.  It makes for a long day.  We had four sea-days after our Jordan visit to rest up after doing our two days for Luxor and then this long day in Jordan.  Our ship was in Aqaba, Jordan, from 6 am to 8 pm.  We met our guide and departed from the ship at 6:30 am.  We returned to the ship around 6 pm.  

 

THANKS for your very kind comments!  Being "truly amazing" is good and much appreciated.  Let me know any other questions. 

 

Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[ypgal]

On 7/13/2019 at 8:20 AM, TLCOhio said:

 

Doing BOTH in less than 12 hours is aggressive, but hopefully possible.  Clearly, we were so glad we were able to experience each of these amazing and world-class locations.  It makes for a long day.  We had four sea-days after our Jordan visit to rest up after doing our two days for Luxor and then this long day in Jordan.  Our ship was in Aqaba, Jordan, from 6 am to 8 pm.  We met our guide and departed from the ship at 6:30 am.  We returned to the ship around 6 pm.  

 

THANKS for your very kind comments!  Being "truly amazing" is good and much appreciated.  Let me know any other questions. 

 

Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Another question for you.  Have you ever done a one day tour from Kobe Japan to Kyoto?  Any suggestions?  Setting up private tours in Japan seems quite a challenge.  Thank you for any insight.

[TLCOhio]

7 minutes ago, ypgal said:

Another question for you.  Have you ever done a one day tour from Kobe Japan to Kyoto?  Any suggestions?  Setting up private tours in Japan seems quite a challenge.  Thank you for any insight.

 

Sorry!!  Love to help, but have not, yet, been to Japan.  It's on the future to-do list.  Good luck with your research and checking.  Have you tried this website listed below??  We have used them in several parts of the world and had good success.

www.toursbylocals.com

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.!  Live/blog from early 2018, first adventure through SE Asia, stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before exploring all over Vietnam and Cambodia, seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 48,216 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

[Janet&Carl]

Hi TLCOhio thanks so much for your very informative reviews - we travel to Petra in October.  As I recently broke my ankle I am reluctant to do all the walking on uneven ground to get to Petra and our guide has advised us against using the pony carts.  So I have a couple of questions.....

 

Did you pre arrange the golf cart or was it readily available.

 

Did you pay for it in $ or Jordanian money - we pay for our tour in American $ but we are Australian so will have exchange fees either way.

 

How much should I budget for this option ?

 

Thanks Janet

 

 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Janet&Carl