b'1. The walk through the narrow valley has spectacular sights around every corner.2. The climb to the monestary can be very treacherous.3. Views from the top are stunning.4. Donkeys provide transportation for tourists and locals.5. The treasury building in Petra is amazing.Petra, Jordan (continued from page 31)opening,whichrevealedtheTreasurybut walking it took me all day and 30,000climbing the steps burdened with tourists. building, bathed in morning sunlight. A fewsteps (which is equivalent to 21 km). TheI passed a large Roman-built amphi-camels were resting in front of it, and don- temperature was in the mid-thirties, andtheater, as well as hundreds of temples. keys and the odd horse could be seen withsunscreenandmyhatweremybestLunch was in a small, makeshift restau-their masters, in the event visitors neededfriends. An ancient monastery marked therant, with surprisingly tasteful food. All in a ride. end of the stretch, and my guide neglectedall the day was spectacular and I was so The view was emotional, as the sheertotellmetherewereoverathousandgrateful to have been able to explore Pe-magnificenceoftheplacemesmerizedsteps, all carved from the rock, leading totra at leisure with a knowledgeable guide. me. We climbed the surrounding cliffs tothe top. I was however, glad to see my hotel, and get different views, and my camera wasIt was worth the climb, as the viewsafterarestanddinner,mademyway working non-stop. After half an hour orwerespectacularandtheaccomplish- acrossthestreettothenewlyopened so we continued on, gaping at dozens ofmentnoteworthy.Everyfewminutesamuseum, where I filled in the gaps from temples all carved into the rock walls. donkey or two carrying tourists, unable tomy education during the day.My guide explained the carving beganmake the climb on foot would pass me.Petra is one of those places you have at the top and the ancient workers madeMy guide warned me that ride was aboutto experience to get the full effect of its their way down, slowly etching amazing$20 but they would charge another $20sheer grandeur. Having thoroughly visited details as they progressed. The drynessto get people off the beast.I was alsothe place, I can see why it was added to of the desert, coupled with the secrecy ofsaddened when I saw the little donkeysthe Seven Wonders of the World list.the place, had kept the city nearly intact.Petra has been settled for nine thou- Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, published author,sandyears,andwasamajortradingaward-winning photographer and keynote speaker. route during the 4th century BCE, whenWatch his new show The Jonathan van Bilsen Show on YouTube.the current city was constructed. Bedouin people then settled it until 1985, when theTRAVEL TIP: governmentrelocatedthemtothesur- For the adventurous travellers, Saudi Arabia is now offering visas to Canadians rounding city, and made the site part ofwho wish to tour the Middle East country. It is the first time tourists are being the UNESCO Heritage program.welcomed, and the cost of the visa is about $150. Where do I sign up?The entire site is seven kilometres long, What areYOUdoing forMARCH BREAK?TM158 Casimir Street, Port Perry905-985-2268virginia.frew@marlintravel.ca TICO #457753232 FOCUS - JANUARY 2020 TM'