The first big city and main point of interest when entering jordan from the north is Jerash, know for its old roman city, partially excavated

jerash

Then the tourist route crosses the capital city Amman and goes down to the Dead sea.

dead sea drive

Up again, the king's highway (rather King's way) stretches all along the mountains that borders the dead sea on its east side. The road passes through numbers of old castles and antiques ruins, as some nice views on the dead sea.

jordan grand canyon

Main stop along this road is Petra, world known Nabatean city dating from around 2000 years and now officialy one of the new 7 wonders of the world (as lot of people were complaining only one of the old 7 wonders of the world can still be visited today). The nearest 'village' is packed with hotels, restaurants and tourists. It seems jordanians really understand the importance of this site when they ask for a 60€ entrance fee (a bit less when it s about cleaning and protecting it). I ve decided to have a walk around outside the site first. From a side road you can see some monuments maybe 2 kilometres away :

sneaking into Petra

There is no real path there but the place has been inhabited by bedouins and their goats and maybe crossed by other stingy tourists.

approaching Petra

around Petra

And after about 3 hours walking and climbing, I ve seen the first caves and later found myself in the middle of the ruins of Petra

Petra inhabitants

the theatre

the treasury

the monastery

The following day, I ve continued my way to the red sea, going a bit closer to the real desert africa.

riding down to the red sea