The Treasury-Top things you don't know

The Treasury:

I’ve tried to keep my writing brief on this, as most of what I say is already in the guidebooks. Still, any post about Petra would be empty without the Treasury.

·         Currently, you can’t go inside because of an archaeological dig out in front. However, you can still go up and peek through the grates to see just what is revolutionizing the theories about this monument

·         Make sure to see the Bedouin bullet holes near the top. These are from tribesmen trying to break the urn and release a hidden treasure.

·         Watch “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” before you go. It makes the experience of seeing the Treasury for the first time even more memorable.

·         Make sure to be back here in the afternoon when the sun hits the Treasury, making dazzling colors (and better photos!)

·         For a funnier photo, try to get in some of the camels that sit out in front of the building. Make sure not to look too interested though, as some of the camel dealers are very aggressive salesmen!

·         If you want, you can buy drinks nearby. It is quite a memory to sit sipping a drink while you absorb this amazing landmark

    E-mail me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions. No, really do. No one has yet.

The Treasury, complete with a herd of tourist-ridden camels 

The breathtaking first view of the Treasury from the Siq

I think this one speaks for itself

Looking back into the dark and narrow Siq

The Treasury, carved out of the cliff face

Three Golden Rules for Safe Travel to Jordan

1. Always look at the American State Department Warnings at travel.state.gov for the most recent events in tourist safety.


2. Be careful not to get ripped off. Scams and conmen of all kinds are abundant in tourist rich areas. When I was there, a tour guide from a tour company we were traveling with tried to charge us $200 for a 20-minute detour to Kerak castle. Always decide what things are worth to you before consulting a local tour guide. That said, locals are usually very friendly and will want to help you.


3. Ask shopkeepers for advice or directions rather than passerby. People who own or work at shops are usually nice and speak good English. All of the shopkeepers I met were very kind and willing to give us directions. It is unwise to ask the opinions of people out on the street. Also, don't publicly say that you support Israel. Old wounds between these countries take a long time to heal.


Jordan is an excellent country to visit, if only for the spectacular rock-carved tombs at Petra. They are also one of the most stable nations in the Middle East. Don't let anything you hear stop you from going. If you want to see more Golden Rules, click here.


E-mail me with any questions at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com. Or just e-mail me anyway. You will probably receive a response quickly, because I am somewhat unoccupied.

Three Golden Rules for Safe Travel to Israel

1. Check the Travel Warnings of the U.S. State Department at travel.state.gov before planning your trip and continue checking until you leave for Israel. They will update their warning with any recent news. I know I write this in all of my posts but I can't emphasize enough how useful this is.


2. Avoid travel through the West Bank except for Masada and the Dead Sea. The West Bank is governed (badly) by the Palestinian Authority, and is essentially cordoned off from the rest of Israel. Riots frequently arise here and have to be defeated by police forces.  There are, however, several Christian Pilgrimage sights in the area, most notably Bethlehem, and these places are safe most of the time. If you do chose to enter the West Bank, do so at your own risk.


3. Do not travel in or near the Gaza Strip at any time! This location is known for its rocket and bombing attacks on Israeli security forces, and their retaliatory air strikes. Terrorists have launched rockets many kilometers from Gaza before, and may start again at any time. I do not advise travel here for any reason.


Following these three simple rules can make your trip to Israel a very pleasant one. Israel is a country filled with history and a great place to go. Click here for more Golden Rules.


E-mail me with any questions at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com. They are very likely to get answered, as no one has e-mailed me yet.

Three Golden Rules for Safe Travel to Egypt

1. Check the U.S. State Department warnings at travel.state.gov in the weeks leading up to your trip. They periodically write notices about riots, terrorism, and other dangers. Also be prepared to reschedule your trip if it gets too dangerous.


2.  If possible, take a guided tour with a reputable company. I particularly like Isram World (www.isram.com) because they have the only tour I could find that goes to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. I highly recommend taking a tour as the Guides are always aware of local events and steer you away from danger areas.


3. Plan your trip to avoid danger zones especially on Fridays, Friday is the Islamic day of worship, and protests and clashes with police are far more likely to occur on these days. It would also be wise to spend the minimum amount of time in Central Cairo on these days. Cairo is a lot safer than news programs would make it appear, but there are still dangerous areas, such as the Defense Ministry. Most importantly, do not approach or attempt to photograph protesters.  You can instead spend most of your time at Giza and Saqqara. These places are known to be far safer.

For more Golden Rules, click here

E-mail me at michaelworldtravel@gmail.com with any questions.