Day 44, 17 August 2012, Full day exploring Petra topped off with a Turkish Bath - Today we spent 8 hours hiking around Petra - via Donkey, Camel, Horse and of course, Shanks's Pony. Whilst James has ridden a few horses, I can honestly say I've ridden only 5 times. And three of them were today. We walked through the Siq in daylight this time and the Treasury was imposing in brilliant sunshine. We continued through the Street of the Facades and also past the Royal Tombs. The goal was to reach the Monastery (pictured). 800 odd steps. Easy climb said the On the Go Guide. Perhaps. For mountain goats on performance enhancing drugs. James and I elected to take Jordanian minis - that is Donkeys - up to the top. Small, easy to park, crap to drive and mine at least had a mind of it's own. Thankfully the guide realised if he ever wanted to rent that donkey again he would have to molly-coddle both it and me to the top. Donkey's have pointy little backs and keeping all your weight forward is important when they are climbing flights of rocky stairs. By the grace of all the gods we did make it to the donkey drop off/parking lot and walked the last 100 or so stairs to the top. Photos were taken, views were oohed at and sand was emptied from shoes before we converted to Shanks's Pony for the walk down hill. Apparently it is too risky to take a donkey down, as was ably demonstrated by a tourist who did it and whilst endeavouring to stop the beast pushed her feet into the stirrups so hard one broke off. She landed well would be the best that could be said. Hard but well. Glad we didn't see it on our way up - might have scared our donkeys. We made it down in one piece and had lunch. It was going to be a jolly long walk out. With our last 10 dinar of the day we negotiated a couple of camels. Business is tough in Petra in low season - usually costs 50 dinar for a pair of camels and our last 10 secured a deal. Now we're talking! If the donkey was a mini then the camel was an A380 aircraft. Spacious, comfortable, steady and sweet tempered, quiet and a pleasure to fly - CamelAir! Take off and landing was much more dignified than the donkey too! Back on foot through the Siq (Canyon to the exit), then we took our final ride of the day - an Arabian horse for a little under a kilometre. James looked quite at home on his horse but I strongly suspect even with rose coloured specs that I looked like a sack of potatoes. Nevertheless, I reached the gate and both I and my trusty gray horse were in one piece. Yippee! shower, change and off to Hammam for soakings, steamings, rubbings and scrubbings. It was all a bit quick and perfunctory really (note for anyone heading to Hammam at the Petra Palace Hotel. Nice jacuzzi. Short treatment). We enjoyed a great dinner at the Sand Stone Restaurant in downtown Petra and had wonderful service from the blonde Syrian lady - called us all 'dear' a lot. Felt loved! We managed an early night (I know, I know - just for a change). Tomorrow should be a breeze - a 3 hour walk/stroll/hike by some "secret" route. Honestly - how secret can it be if it's in a tour itinerary? Shouldn't be too difficult - managed 7 hours activity today and only 3 hours required tomorrow before we head to a desert camp in Wadi Rum for a night with stars. Not under them per se, just with them!