Locals in Petra were mostly originated from a nomadic tribe known as Bedouin. Since Petra has been commercialized through The NEW Seven Wonders of the World, lot prefer to stay put.
Providing horses and donkey rides through the punishing Petra journey is one of their main sources of incomes. I was shocked to see children as young as 12 to 15 years ago became donkey masters. In this scenes there were around 10 to 20 donkey riders trying to convince three western girls to take a ride in their donkey!
Finally… They just scared all those girls away.
Their too eagerness, dirty clothing and smelly animals explained it all!
Finally… They just scared all those girls away.
Their too eagerness, dirty clothing and smelly animals explained it all!
While most teenagers ran the show with their horses and donkeys. Men operated café inside Petra itself. This café owner attracted customer by shouting out…
“Come take a rest, drink some coffee!”.
Drinks and food sold were more expensive than the 5star Movenpick Hotel which we stayed in.
All citizen of Petra Town depends on tourism to make a living; the women sell stone, potatoes, souvenirs and etc while looking after toddlers. The living conditions of these children are a sore in the eyes.
This kid must be around 5-6 years old and forced to sell stone under the sun. His emotionless face showed how bored he was. They are taught to say "one dollar... one dollar" whenever any tourist pass by. Those stone they were selling are of none value and can be picked up anywhere within Petra itself. This scene was pitiful but I didnt buy anything because I believe if I do, it would only encourage more children to be exploided.
The children of Petra are a talented bunch!When I took the picture of this boy holding a baby sheep, he said "give me one dollar, you take my photo!". I am not sure if he goes to school but their education system seems to be more effective than ours, as some of children in rural msia still struggle to speak english.
Lillian ask me to give this kid a piece of chocolate but I am reluctant because I was afraid others children will chase after me for more. You know la... just like those stories from china. Now I regretted not giving him because all my snacks spoilt already!
They said children are the future...So what did children in Petra learn?
One Dollar... One Dollar...
Growing up in this palace, all their learn is to earn a quick buck from tourists through begging, shouting or anyway they could.
It's sad to see that the only joy children had is through the suffering of the animals. I saw several times donkey being hit and punished for no particular reason!
A friend of mine gave these kids a MARS choco bars and they were extremely pleased. These children were taught to "SELL" stone for a dollar and not used to take anything free. These poor children needs help... They should be at school not doing stuff like this!
The most amazing incident I saw a western woman give USD10 to one of these children without buying anything from that child. The child was "STUNNED" starring with puzzleness at the woman, unable to understand the woman's action. 
Petra was magnificient but its children are a sore pitiful sight.Well... at least we end the day in a high note!
Alfred sang a birthday song while playing organ to Laypeng, she was lucky to be able to celebrate her birthday in Petra!
Indiana Jones Snack Shop...
After watching few Indiana movies,
So...
Hermm... not sure how should i put it?
Anyone got the numbers for the animal abuses police? This woman is definately too much for this pity ass to carry. The kids gotta push the donkey to move as well.
Walking up Petra is no easy task. We walk from 8am to 6pm... that's like 10km of journey so some tourist prefer to take a ride up.
Those irresponsible ass jockey just let those asses run down petra freely without control because tourist usually dare not to take the downwards journey because its much more dangerous. The running donkey is a PAIN in the ass for people there.
The important of Horses and Donkey are shown in the thousands years old scruptures that suppose to look like a horse drinking from water.
The plane of the budget airline we took is the worst I have ever ride in my entire life. My seat keeps leaning back even after numerous attempts to straighten it. No wonder the stewardess didn’t ask the passengers straighten their seats during take off and landing. Nothing to complain, because this is the cheapest airline in the whole gulf region!
Three hours later we touch down at Queen Alia International Airport. After the immigration, this guy helps us to push our bags in trolley. He is like gentle giant and gave me a good first impression of the Jordanian people. He got huge body but a shy face and extremely happy when I took his photo with my hand phone camera.
The moment we came out of the custom department, everyone was looking for water. We had no choice but to buy from this Shop inside the airport vicinity. A 0.5litre mineral water cost FOUR-JORDANIAN-DINAR (RM20), that's more expensive than petrol. There is no price tag and that give me the impression this is day light robbery. There are two explanations for this idiotic shop keeper action, either he thinks that we are stupid or he was having illusion that he is selling water inside a 7-stars-hotel.
We finally arrive at Petra Town around 7pm after listening to a good long lectures from Alfred about Petra proud history. I could remember little but I am still grateful and astounish by his knowledge. His powerful and sincere presentation definately instill my interest into Petra history. Before this, my intention is just to have a look at this great ancient structures but now I want to know more about its history, the Nabateans and other related stories.
The Petra by Night which come highly rated by ROY! It was Heaven for Roy and Terry because they have Powerful SLR camera to take beatiful night photo. In fact, my camera Lumix can take nothing, either it comes out like snowing scene or all blacks!!! So... all this night petra photos are cetak rompak from the two Pro's facebook album.
Under a full moon, it was suppose to be half scary and half misterious experience but there are about a thousand strong toursit in the area, I felt like walking in a shopping mall without electricity. 
Beside trying not to step on others foot, I got to look out for animal's shits as well. The exhausted me was awaken by the "refreshing" animal shits and the cold night winds. 
According to our tour guide Alfred, Dead Sea’s water contains more than 35 different types of minerals that are essential for the health and care of the body skin. They are well known for relieving pains and sufferings while nourishing and softening the skin.
The Dead Sea is devoid of life due to an extremely high content of salts and minerals which give its waters the renowned curing powers and beautification qualities. The salt content is nine times that of the worlds’ oceans; you can float in the Dead Sea without even trying, which makes swimming here a truly unique.