Petra by Night.

Petra by Night.

Despite the long day at Petra and the fact we have already hiked in and out once today, we return to Petra to experience the magical lost city by candlelight.

The Siq is lit only by candlelight as we trek back into Petra.

 We arrive to see the crowds have already gathered. People site cross-legged on the sandy crowd amid glowing candles.

Camera and tripod in hand we make our way through the crowds to find a vantage spot on the perimeter where we can set up, capture the spectacle and not obscure someone else's view.  15 sec shutter speed, f11, ISO 400, I repeat Joe's instructions in my head so as not to forget the settings I should be using.

The magnificent façade of the Treasury glows in the candlelight.

As we practise our settings, experimenting with just the right shutter speed and settings a local Bedouin poet rises to recite a monologue about the place and the land. Then he signals and the flood lights glow on the façade, the colors changing from rose to green to purple. 

 As the festivities wind down, we make our way back out the candlelit Siq, exhausted. It has been a full and exciting day. I glance at my fitbit. No wonder I am exhausted... 31,450 steps and 113 sets of stairs! 

Fortunately there is a bar just outside the gates and we gladly meet there. Falling into chairs we circle around, order a cold glass of wine and share the photos we got. 

Petra has exceeded ever expectation. Eventually we make our way back to the hotel and crash. It will be another early morning as we make our way into the desert of Wadi Rum.   Come With Me....