WHS#56

Petra, man. There isn't much that hasn't been said about Petra, so I'll make this short for once. It's one of the most undeniable wonders of the world, and to me, one of those few places that lives up to the huge amount of hype it gets. I was lucky enough to visit in April 2018, arriving late morning from Amman and staying until nightfall. It was enough time to thoroughly explore the basic route from the entrance to the Monastery at a relatively relaxed pace, though I wish I had been able to get to the Treasury Overlook and the High Place of Sacrifice. Nevertheless, the short visit was just an amazing experience, and I think it gave me a good look at Petra's unique OUV. It's a city of the dead and the living, of culture and nature, and of creative and technical genius. While the beautiful tombs carved into the cliffs seem to define the city, the theater and "earthquake-proof" building were just as impressive. My favorite part of the visit, though, was exploring this ancient city with its cute canine inhabitants. This one puppy followed me all the way from the Siq to the exit. Definitely a highlight in all of my travels!