A Trip Down the Garden Path

I need to catch up, desperately.  I already have things I need to share about France, but still haven't finished with our last trip.  That marathon of an Egypt post took it all out of me, and it seems my brain's been sapped of memories and all my the abilty to recall these. Even though Glen and I were joking last night about the much used idiom of the moment 'take a cup of concrete and harden up', I think that's exactly what I need to do, otherwise I'll get too far behind. 

So, Do you like the title of this post? I thought it was the most clever (and probably most lame) so far.  The last highlight of our trip in Egypt took us on a day trip into Jordan, and most significantly Petra.  Now this place is the famed set from the above movie (correctly titled of course) and so our excitement on the long walk to see the temple involved singing the famed theme song: 'da da da daaahh, da da da, da da da dAAAH, da da da da DAHHH!' the temple is reached via a walk though what seems like a parting of rock.  And in fact it is.  In a earthquake, the rock separated and thus made way for a walkway through to the temple. It was pretty amazing. Take a look...

Our first peek at the temple.  Oh exciting!

And the whole thing, in all its glory...


 It is believed to have been constructed in the 1st century BC and for what exact purpose is uncertain.  Rumour has it that there were treasures kept in the urn at the centre of the building right up the top. Over time, this has been shot at by the bedouin who believed they could release the gold stored inside. Yet infact it held nothing, and it now looks a bit worse for wear; smashed and chipped. The Treasury was constructed by the Nabatean people and it served as a significant city on the spice trading route. 

The amazing thing about this temple, or treasury as it is known, is the degree to which it has weathered time. A lot of the other buildings carved into the rock face (sandstone) have been eroded by the wind, rain, flood and sand.  In other locations throughout the city doors and windows look almost like they've melted and decorative carvings have become obselete as time has eaten away at their splendour.  Yet The Treasury has fared well because it's recessed into the rock and has been fairly protected from the elements.

Some other shots of the city...

This is by far my favourite. Our lovely little tour group jumping like champions!

Well I wish I could post more pics, but the internet is going soooo  s   l   o   w.  Hopefully I will remember to put up a few more when we get home.

Good night!

Cuddling up to a camel, who later was fed a can of sprite by his owner: full can into his mouth! He rolled it around to get all the liquind out and then spat it out. Clever!