Petra At Night Under The Stars
It had been our years since I had last visited Petra and, to my knowledge, Petra By Night was not available when I had last visited. Since that time I had seen numerous pictures and even some video of the experience and when Valerie and I decided to visit Petra, we agreed to make sure we could attend a Petra By Night Experience and we were not let down.
The experience was amazing! The entire mile long entrance to Petra known as The Siq (Arabic word meaning 'The Shaft') was lined entirely by bags with candles burning in them and they lit up the trail and walls beautifully. I could share some pictures, but please go experience it for yourself if you can as this is one of those experiences that pictures and even video do not do justice compared to experiencing it yourself.
After arriving into the lighted area in front of the tomb known The Treasury which you see in this picture, we were greeted with some much appreciated warm tea on this slightly cold desert night and asked to sit and get comfortable.
Once everyone had arrived and settled into this amazing scene with the towering architecture of the tomb and high above that a cloudless star-filled night sky, the experience continued.
We were welcomed by a Bedouin descendant who explained to us the history of this area, it's use and importance by the Bedouin people and ultimately its discovery, exploration and enjoyment by the world. Petra has been the backdrop for some famous movies including Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom as well as, more recently, Transformers and is easily recognized by many around the world.
After the brief history lesson, the narrator told us of some the Bedouin traditions and about one of the oldest bowed instruments and a Bedouin invention- the rebab. He then welcomed into the middle of the lighted area a local Beduin to play on a flute and a rehab as we all listened with eyes closed or lifted to the heavens drinking in and enjoying the seemingly timeless moment.
If you get a chance to visit Jordan, I highly recommend a trip to Petra and even more so, Petra By Night. Petra by by day is amazing. Petra By Night, I would say, is captivating and magical.AncientArabArchitectureAsiaBedouinCamelCandleCarvingCityColorCultureDesertDesignEye Of The CamelGraveHistoryJ. Griffin StewartJordanLightsMiddle EastNightPanoramaPetraPetra At NightPetra By NightRedRockSeven WondersSiqStarsThe MonasteryThe Treasury