Jeep Adventures in Wadi Rum: Jordan
Hauling our heavy rucksacks onto the back of the battered Toyota jeep , we settled down for our ride out into the unknown, the vast desert of Wadi Rum or as it is nickname the Valley of the Moon.
We rattled over the sand for miles, gazing out at the empty horizons; the only sight a thick carpet of flaming orange sand, except for the rocky escarpments, which towered high into the simmering, cloudless blue sky.
Heading out into the desert on our rattling jeep.
Jeep tracks
climbing one of the plateaus to get a 360 view
About an hour into our journey, we stopped to climb one of the sandstone peaks. Throwing off my hot, sweaty boots, I scrunched up my toes feeling the grainy sand massage my skin. But not for long, the sand was burning hot.
I began to race up the desert bank, letting my feet sink deep into the cooler sand below the surface. Finally at the top, I clambered over the sandstone-granite ridges taking in the vast view before me and the silence- the blank canvas of the desert, all 720km of it.
In the distance I spotted a few tiny shapes moving slowly and methodically across the desert highway; two camels and their little babies- the only sign of life visible in the stifling heat of the afternoon.
Two camels and their babies crossing the desert
more sand tracks
Driving onwards, we stopped for lunch at a Bedouin tent, enjoying pittas, hummus, salty sardines and tomato vegetable stew in the shade of the fabric throws. I even spotted a tiny little desert beetle as we explored, his metallic armour glinting in the sun. Khazali Canyon provided us some fleeting respite from the sun as we navigated our way through the gorge, admiring petroglyphs and ancient inscriptions on the walls. We even saw local Bedouins ‘sand-surfing’ down the dunes.
the white tree
A Bedouin man on his phone in the shade of one of the colossal sandstone escarpments
Camel
kick back and take it all in!
Atop one of the natural arches
spot the people! exploring the gorges
sand surfing
a desert beetle
sunset
As the sun began to dip, we arrived at our camp and settled in our outdoor camp huts for the night. Sitting on the steps, I drank tea and watched the sandstone cliffs glow orange. After watching and waiting nightfall soon descended on the desert and finally we got to see the sky at its best. I sat and watched the stars for an hour, dizzy with awe and wonder- every inch of the sky was studded with light.
I was far too awake to sleep, it felt like an awful crime to shut my hut door, and close out the peace and beauty of the night sky. I struggled to tear my eyes away as I wondered when I might again see stars so clearly.
camp for the night
alone in the desert
first stars coming out…my camera couldn’t pick up anymore
leaving camp
