5 days, 650 km and 390 pictures is one way to sum up last week. This was the kids first long road trip, I on the other hand have fond memories of road trips as a kid. Packing your bags, waking up at dawn, watching the familiar streets and buildings slowly give way to new and exciting landscapes, starting the day in one country and finishing it in another, choosing hotels, exploring the rooms, choosing beds, busy markets and interesting architecture. Road trips in my opinion are a wonderful way for families to bond, make memories that last a lifetime and for sure the best way to explore a country.
Our road trip started from Amman, down south to Madaba, Dead sea and Petra. I will be sharing pictures of our trip in my upcoming posts starting with Petra.If you are here for the recipe please scroll down and you’ll find it at the end of the post.
UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”. It was chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the “28 Places to See Before You Die, it is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Yet, all that does not prepare you to what you will see and experience in Petra, you have to see it to believe it.
Petra is located 260 Km south of the Jordanian capital Amman. Once you leave Amman, the road for the most part is nothing but sand and mountains as far as the eye can see.
Mountains that go from yellow to brown to black. Goats, camels, sheep causing the kids to go wild jumping from the side window to the back window. Trucks, buses, cars and then long expanses with just nothing and no one
After a 3 hour drive, we got to Petra, checked into our hotel which happened to be situated directly at the visitor’s entrance to Petra and took off to explore the rose red city half as old as time.
After buying the tickets and getting through the gate, you are given a choice to make the trip on horse back, in a small carriage or to walk it on foot. If this is your first visit to Petra I strongly recommend you do it on foot, there is so much to see on the road leading up to the siq and the walk down the siq is an experience you don’t want to miss.
When you first leave the gate, these stone cubes are the first thing you encounter, they are shrines for the protective God’s that the Nabateans worshiped and they are found around the city and its water supply.
Right before you get to the Siq, there is a dam on the right hand side, this dam was built by the Nabataean to divert rain water and flash flood water away from the Siq and away from their city. The Nabataean knowledge of water hydraulics and how to manage water is nothing short of astounding. Every drop of water that fill within a 25 km diameter around the city was guided to the city through a system of canals and wells, that enabled them to maintain a continuous water supply to their capital city that is located in the middle of the dessert
The water canal to which the water was diverted
Starting at the entrance of the Siq and spanning its entire length the remains of the water channel that entered the city , on the opposite side there is a system of tubes that carried the main water supply to the city, can you believe it? water pipes 2000 years ago? and that is not the best part, those water pipes were joined together using a water resistant cement that the Nabateans invented! Recent excavations and work in the area discovered that the pipes did not run horizontally, they were angled in a way to ensure that even when full with water-the pressure with in the pipes would not build up to the point of causing the pipes to crack or explode! a technology we figured out only during the 20th century
The Siq is the main entrance to the ancient city of Petra. This narrow gorge (in some points no more than 3 meters wide) winds its way approximately 1.2 Km and ends at Petra’s most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (The Treasury).The walls that enclose the Siq stand between 91–182 meters (300–600 feet) in height
The Siq started as a crack in the mountain due to an earthquake and was then deepened and widened by the flash floods that happen in the winter. The walk down the siq is a magical experience, the colors and forms of the sandstone that make up the walls is breath taking to say the least
note the size of the people up ahead to see how tall those walls were
At various points in the Siq you see these trees growing from cracks in the stone, sometimes near the bottom and others midway up the wall. This tree was the biggest I saw, to think that this tall and magnificent tree grows from a crack in stone!
Through out the siq there are kids from the bedoin tribe that used to live in Petra, they sell postcards and handcrafts are mostly friendly and love posing for pictures
At various points the walls of the Siq have different carving in the stone
and stair leading to what is thought to be high points for the guards to stand watch over the caravans entering the city
The siq ends with a sneak peak at Petra’s most famous ruin, Al Khazneh.
At first you only get a glimpse of the magical structure awaiting you and then slowly and with every step you see a little more until the khazneh makes a dramatic and magnificant appearance in all its glory, even 2000 years later.
This is the end of part 1 but only the beginning of this magnificent rose red city half as old as time, now the question to you my dear reader is, are you interested in seeing more of Petra? and if the answer is yes would you rather have this in a separate post with no recipe or with a recipe like today?
If there is one fruit that reminds me the most of the beautiful colors of the sand stone of petra it is peaches and after spending five days hiking and exploring in the June heat there is no better use for peaches that to make this energizing drink. I had pinned the recipe for a vegan peach shake I saw at munchin with munchkins and decided to play with it a little, the recipe below is for the drink I made, I replaced the maple syrup with puree dates, added almonds,omitted the coconut oil and peach preserves, and didn’t use the ice, I used a frozen banana and I froze the peach segments so I didn’t need the ice and the result was a thick and creamy consistency with a combination of flavors that is out of this world. You can find the original recipe here and the one I used is the one below, enjoy
Vegan Peach cobbler drink
adapted from Munchin with munchkin
2 ripe peaches, sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1 ripe frozen banana
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon almonds (optional, you can use the almond meal left from making almond milk)
2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs (check label to ensure it is vegan)
1 tablespoon old fashioned oats
3 dates (for sweetness)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth
Garnish with a peach slice and a spring of mint.
Serves 2
Bety
/ February 8, 2013What an AMAZING place! WOW!
I have read, I know about this ancient city, but your photos ….
The photos are fantastic!
Yummy peach cobbler ,wonderfully refreshing….
Allison
/ September 7, 2012Beautiful photos!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ September 8, 2012Thank you kindly
Mary
/ July 7, 2012The photos are fantastic!!! The narrative of your trip is great also. I appreciate the time you are taking in posting your pictures and writing about your trip. I know it takes alot of time. You have educated so many that have not had the chance to visit here or anywhere else outside the US. It truly is an amazing experience, and enlightens us to what we have in this country! Thank you!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 7, 2012Thank you Mary for the comment and for appreciating the time and effort that went into the post.
I am really glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll find part 3 just as interesting
Anonymous
/ July 7, 2012I did´nt relize you were back from your road trip. I enjoyed so much reading about Petra. Reading about the Nabatean reminded me of Mohnjodaro, another anicent city with a intelligent water system also a place I have yet to wisit. Loved your photo´s. I was wowed by the Khazneh, wow what a sigth ( have seen it in Indiana Jones.) I am looking forward reading about your trip with or with out recipies. xx Misbah
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 8, 2012I am really glad you enjoyed the post. I can’t wait to research the Mohnjodar I am in love with ancient cultures
mare
/ July 6, 2012I enjoyed this post, the text and the photos likewise. So amazing, such a fantastic place! And your pictures are amazing too and make me want to go there soonest
. Btw. Petra has been on my wish-have-to-visit-soon list for ages 
.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 8, 2012Hello Mare, I am really glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you will be able to strike Petra off your list soon
Nami | Just One Cookbook
/ July 5, 2012Honestly with or without recipe for the travel post, it doesn’t matter (as you will share that recipe on another post anyway) but please do share more pictures!!!
Wow…so beautiful. I studied geology and geography and I really enjoyed looking at your pictures today. Very fascinating!
And love your peach cobbler too! I have white peaches right now but I love all kinds of peaches and this cobbler with coconut milk is very tempting!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 5, 2012Thank you very much Nami, I am really happy that you enjoyed the post
I wished I knew more about geology when I was in Petra, I think I might have enjoyed it even more
Reem | Simply Reem
/ July 4, 2012Beautiful!!!
I really enjoyed reading the post.. The way you wrote it felt as if I was right there in the car with you watching the buildings n roads n sand..Beautiful!!
I love the idea of peach cobbler as drink..Yum!!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you kindly Reem
I really appreciate your kind comment and the fact that you enjoyed the post
rsmacaalay
/ July 4, 2012Looks like the perfect drink for that hot place
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Profiteroles & Ponytails
/ July 4, 2012I love the idea of a cobbler drink. With the coconut milk and oats this sounds absolutely delicious! Your photos of Petra are stunning. It was such an interesting post.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you Barb, it is one of my favorite drinks, it is so good for you and tastes amazing. Glad you enjoyed the pictures:)
Kristy
/ July 3, 2012My dad would just be in love with this drink. Peach cobbler is one of his favorite things in this world.
I LOVE the pictures of Petra. I think I mentioned my best friend was there about a year ago. Until I saw her pictures I really had no concept of how incredible it is there, and I’m sure I still don’t. It seems like it’s one of those places you need to see in person to fully appreciate. I can’t wait to see more of your pictures. Road trips are absolutely one of my favorite things to do with the kids. I took them all the time as a child and your description of them is perfect! I’m just loving this post Sawsan. Thank you for sharing!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012Hello Kristy
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I have been seeing pictures and documentaried about Petra my whole life as it is one of Jordan’s most popular sites but honestly nothing prepares you for the experience of walking down those streets. I hope you will have a chance to see it for yourself someday
Eva Taylor
/ July 3, 2012Absolutely beautiful, Sawsan. Makes me want to visit. I’d love the recipe separate to the recipe post.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012Thank you Eva, I know you will love it if you ever had a chance to visit
Promenade Claire
/ July 3, 2012Oh gosh you have just taken me somewhere that I have always wanted to visit. So fascinating and beautiful. Thank you!! And the drink recipe sounds wonderfully refreshing
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012You are most welcome Claire
I am really glad you found it fascinating
Eha
/ July 3, 2012I have never had the wonderfully good fortune to go to Petra, but have naturally seen many films, pictures etc. This is not ‘same/same’ – your beautiful photos and personal descriptions have taken me to a wonderful jhourney – thank you so much Sawsan.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012Hello Eha,
I hope you will find the parts coming up just as interesting
I am really happy you enjoyed coming along on this journey with me
Bam's Kitchen
/ July 3, 2012What only 390 pictures? LOL Your photos are just amazing. What a great experience for the family. However, it does look very hot there and I think I would need a yummy peach cobbler drink or 2 to hydrate. Safe travel. BAM
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012hehehehe that was my husband’s exact reaction
The temperatures were in the 30s so we went into the ancient city in the early morning or late afternoon but in the middle of the day it was too hot so we stayed in the hotel
mjskit
/ July 3, 2012Swanson, I personally love your information about Petra. I know it’s a place I will never see so to see it through your eyes was exciting. You could put part 2 in a separate post as far as I’m concerned. The rocks and canyon walls with the narrow gaps reminds me of the slot canyons of SE Utah, one of my favorite places! However, there is no ancient city at the end of any of them! What an AMAZING place! WOW! I would be truly in awe if I were to come upon such a place after walking through those gorgeous canyons. I’m sure I’ll visit this post many times just to see those pictures! Now for the recipe – you have to know that peach cobbler is my favorite cobbler so I know that I would love this drink. In fact, since I don’t bake in the summer, what a way to have my cobbler! Very creative idea!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012You know MJ I was thinking what it must have been like 2000 years ago for the caravans crossing the desert to walk down that mile long gorge and then come face to face with the Khazneh..the Nabateans were very clever in choosing the location of their capital city.
I am really glad you liked the drink I hope to hear your feedback if you get a chance to try it
Courtney
/ July 3, 2012Oh, wow, your pictures and Petra itself look amazing (and is it just me or did they use Petra when they filmed one of the Indian Jones movies?!?) Anyways, I’m up for a post with just pics or a recipe and pics. I really do not think you can go wrong, Sawsan! I just know I want to see more.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012You are correct Courtney, they did use it in Indiana Jones films, there is a gift shop named indiana jones at the entrance to petra
Thank you for wanting to see more, I hope you will enjoy the parts that are coming up
Terri at Time To Be Inspired
/ July 2, 2012I’ve seen many photos of Petra before, but never with such detail that I felt I was walking in with you. I can’t wait for more photos of this incredible site! Thanks for sharing your experience and photographic expertise.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 3, 2012Thank you Terri
your kind comment made my day
Terri at Time To Be Inspired
/ July 3, 2012You’re welcome.
foodblogandthedog
/ July 2, 2012Stunning pictures!! Those rocks are beautiful, my other half loves rocks, he did geology at Uni so I am showing him your post!! I make a smoothie every morning with fresh fruit & oat milk, never thought of adding cinnamon, will do,tomorrow!!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Hello Natalie, I hope your other half will enjoy the pictures, tell him there is a part 2 I think he may like even better
As for the cinnamon, I love the stuff and as my husband says, the only thing I have left to add cinnamon to is cinnamon itself lol
A_Boleyn
/ July 2, 2012I love the recipe and the pictures of Petra which I’ve read about in various novels for years. Gorgeous and very filling fruit drink. It really DOES resemble a cobbler in drink form.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012I am really glad you enjoyed the pictures, I hope you will enjoy the upcoming post with more of Petra
saffronandhoney
/ July 2, 2012Beautiful photos and look at the saturated, lovely color of that peach! Swoon-worthy.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Just A Smidgen
/ July 2, 2012Oh.. Sawsan, I want it all!! Who wouldn’t? I loved your photos of Petra.. particularly the ones with the high walls, the crevasse and the people walking between. Those photos really show us the scale of this site. I loved the lines in the stone, your photography really did it justice. The one photo almost could be vertebrae it has such unusual patterns. And the last photo.. just leaves me wanting more. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this place before and it’s going on my Bucket List! Of course.. the shake was a fresh, cold drink of water for the eyes after walking through Petra with you! xo Smidge
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Hello Barbara,
I am really glad you enjoyed it. When you walk through the siq, you feel so small and overwhilmed by the magnitude of it all
farmingfolk
/ July 2, 2012Delightful reading – makes me want to write about travelling!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Thank you for stopping by and for leaving me a comment
Priya Sreeram (@priyasreeram)
/ July 2, 2012loved this drink-bookmarking it. hey looks like the trip to petra was enjoyable – looking forward to the other parts
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012It was a wonderful trip Priya,I am glad you enjoyed it
Sarvani @ baker in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Oh i definitely want to see more… and it does not need to have a recipe!! petra is one of the places on my list of must-see places!!! Your photographs of the siq are something.. i never imagined it to be so awe-inspiring.. so formidable!! … can’t wait to see more… ahh.. road trips… am up for one anytime!!!
as for the recipe.. am intrigued to be honest… with the fruits, coconut milk and dates!! really intrigued.. after the lavender chicken.. u’ve really got me thinking about so many new flavour combinations Sawsan!!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012I am really glad you enjoyed the post and want to see more Sarvani
as for the siq, I hope you get a chance to actually walk down it, awe inspiring is an understatement!
I would really love to hear what you think of these new flavor combos if you ever get a chance to try them
Tales and Travels of the Tin Man
/ July 2, 2012Thank you for the most wonderful tour. What an enchanting and wonderous place.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012I am really glad you enjoyed it
bumblev
/ July 2, 2012Your pictures of Petra are just amazing. Thank you for sharing! Definitely going to try that peach cobbler.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Thank you Bumblev for your kind comment, I am really glad you enjoyed the pictures and the post
Rasha
/ July 2, 2012My friend, The photos are beautiful, very professional and the narration is wonderful. Looking forward for the rest.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012I miss you so much my friend! the month of June has been crazy but the part I miss the most is our talks
thank you very much for your kind comment
mireia
/ July 2, 2012I have great memories of roa trips too! Thhe pictures are beautiful !!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you Mireia, road trips are the perfect vacation
sarvenaz
/ July 2, 2012Bonjour,
Merci de nous avoir fait partager votre voyage.
J’espère un jour visiter la Jordanie et Pétra.
bonne journée
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you Sarvenaz
I am glad you enjoyed the post
Cher
/ July 2, 2012Beautiful pictures & lovely drink.
Thank you for sharing
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Thank you for stopping by and commenting Cher
sallybr
/ July 2, 2012I’ve always been fascinated by Petra, since the first time I heard about it and saw photos of the region, such a magical place, unknown for so long! I of course would be looking forward to more, so another post dedicated to Petra would be awesome in my opinion.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Hello Sally, you are right it was a lost city for hundreds of years, no one knew where it was till 1820s
I hope you will enjoy the upcoming posts as well as you enjoyed this one
Choc Chip Uru
/ July 2, 2012A castle carved out of rock – just as stunning as a peach cobbler turned smoothie
Thank you for sharing both experience and recipe my friend!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Hello Uru..I am glad you enjoyed both the recipe and the tour
renu
/ July 2, 2012welcome back to teh blogosphere sawsan:)lovely pics and had a good read… looking forward to more pics from your road trip.. with recipe without recipe.. i really dont care.. just want both… pics and recipes!!:)
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you very much Renu, it is good to be back
I deeply appreciate your comment and the ones you made on facebook. You are too kind
Villy
/ July 2, 2012First of all those photos are gorgeous! The place looks incredible but intimidating as well. For the cobbler all I can say is YUM!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you Villy
You are right, the place is both intimidating and incredible
Glad you like the recipe as well and thank you for the comment and for stopping by
ChgoJohn
/ July 2, 2012Your peach cobbler drink sounds delicious, Sawsan, and adding a frozen banana & peach segments, rather than ice, not only chills the drink but makes it healthier, too. What a great idea.
Your description of Petra and its inhabitants fascinates me. Their irrigation & plumbing systems proves the Ancients very often knew more than we are willing to admit. We have the pipes to prove that the Nabateans knew how to make a water resistant cement. It makes me wonder what else they knew but was lost.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your trip with us, Sawsan. As for Part 2, I think you should handle it in whatever way you wish. Considering the subject and your recipe trove, you cannot possibly disappoint.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012I have been fascinated by Petra for a long time John but I have read so much about it recently and seeing it in person for the first time was a real magical experience.
You should see the system of water storage and transportaion they had all over the surrounding mountains and desserts. They actually have a well they carved out of the inside of a mountain that can take up to 1.2 million liters of water! and if that is not enough it is lined from the inside with that same water resistant cement and has a staircase leading from the top to the very bottom for the workers who cleaned it every year before the rain season!
I am really glad you find this stuff as fascinating as I do John,I was worried people would find this post boring, irrelivent or too long. I am grateful I was wrong.
Thank you so much for your interest and kind comment, I do deeply appreciate it John
Chica Andaluza
/ July 2, 2012Oh Sawsan – this was an incredible post. Petra is somewhere I so, so, so want to visit one day! The photos are beautiful and I look forward to learning and seeing more (with or without recipes!). The peach recipe is a stunner too – it´s peach season here as well. I also agree with what you say about families and road trips. We used to drive to italy and back each summer in our little car, stoppping off to see family from the north to the south of Italy on the way and I still have wonderful memories
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you Tanya,
we used to go on road trips to Turkey and Syria as kids and I love those memories.
I hope you can visit Petra someday, it is an amazing place
liana
/ July 2, 2012I would like to see more of Petra through your eyes
, with a receipe!
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 4, 2012Thank you for replying Liana,, more is coming soon
Lakshmi
/ July 2, 2012The color of the cobbler made me crave of it. Looking forward to your next part to see more pictures of Petra and knowing more about the place.
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise
/ July 2, 2012Thank you Lakshmi, I am glad you enjoyed it