Jordan: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through Ancient Wonders and Otherworldly Landscapes

 

Prior to embarking on my trip to Jordan, I had scant knowledge of this small Middle Eastern nation, save for its location on a map. However, my journey in February 2022 surpassed all expectations and instilled in me an enduring sense of wanderlust and self-discovery. Accompanied by my friend Tom, I explored the country for three full days before continuing on to Egypt. Our itinerary included Petra on day one, Wadi Rum on day two, and a day of travel from Aqaba before reaching Amman, where we stayed. We would meet many folks on this trip including a taxi driver named Mumhed who featured heavily in this trip.

The view on the Hike to the Monastery 

My adventure at Petra started with a gruelling 3-hour hike - the first half of which was a real test of our stamina. Tom and I turned down rides from a bunch of men with depressing looking camels and donkeys at the start of our journey, but we soldiered on until we finally reached the Monastery. And what an outstanding sight it was! There was a conveniently placed café and shop nearby, with loads of tourists swarming around it like bees around lavender, desperate for a bottle of water and an ice cream. As we tried to take some photos, a friendly dog appeared out of nowhere, sat down and photobombed us. And then, rather strangely, I ran into another person wearing a Dragon Ball Z top like me! Naturally, we had to take a photo together.

The Monastery with the Dog

After leaving the Monastery behind and another hour hike, we made our way through the narrow canyon known as the Siq, on the way to famous Treasury, a UNESCO World Heritage site that's one of the most prestigious landmarks on the planet. And when I caught my first glimpse of the Treasury, I was absolutely blown away. It was like being Indiana Jones about to discover the holy grail, except my fedora was the wrong colour. The intricate carvings and sheer size of the structure left me lost for words. But that wasn't all - Petra has so much more to offer, with tons of other tombs, temples, and monuments to explore. Every turn was a feast for the eyes, with the rock formations playing off each other and creating a kaleidoscope of colours. And let me tell you, that 6-hour round hiking expedition without a guide and in a pair of Nike Air forces was no walk in the park. By the end of it, I was a puddle of aching mess dreaming of a hot shower and a good nap. But despite the hardship, Petra was worth it exceeding my expectations and lived up to all the hype. I highly recommend it to anyone who's up for an adventure!

The Treasury

Our second day spent in Jordan was the phenomenal destination of Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness of stunning otherworldly beauty. As a Star Wars and Dune fan, visiting this place was an absolute dream come true. Me, Tom, our taxi driver Mumhed, and two new German friends from the hostel explored the vast desert on the back of a truck, stopping to climb dunes and high rock faces (very much outside my comfort zone) and take in the incredible views. Watching the sunset in Wadi Rum was nothing short of awe-inspiring, and it felt like we were on another planet. We also experienced first-hand just how quickly a desert can get chilly when the sun sets. And what seemed both astonishing and unsurprising, I got better mobile signal in the middle of the desert than I did back living in Canterbury!

Back of the Truck at Wadi Rum

Sunset at Wadi Rum

Although we didn't stay the night in a Bedouin camp, something I'd go back to Jordan just to do, we returned to our hostel in Aqaba and got ready for a night out in the city. With our two new German friends, a Frenchman, and a fellow Brit, we ventured into the city centre and tried a local restaurant recommended by Mo, the hostel manager. This restaurant gave me a newfound appreciation for hummus that I never had before. After dinner, we stumbled upon a Coronation Street-themed pub aptly named the Rovers Return. Now, I'm not a huge fan of the soap opera, but this was one of the only pubs in the city within our radius, and as a Brit, we just had to give it a try. And you know what? We had a fantastic evening!

Tom, Me, Ben and Phillip

What made my trip truly unforgettable were the people I met along the way. Whether it was our new hostel buddies, the German lads who we bumped into again in Cairo, or the Frenchman who cycled all the way from Saudi Arabia just to experience the random sites of Jordan's path, or even our trusty airport taxi driver who quickly became our guide and friend for the entire trip. And let's not forget the ever-helpful hostel staff, Mo and his brother (whose name I regrettably can't recall), always happy to suggest the best and most authentic eats in Aqaba and eager to assist with any queries or ideas for our upcoming trip to Egypt."

But our guide and taxi driver, Mumhed, deserved a paragraph all to himself and every penny we paid him. This eccentric elderly man with his bushy white beard and bubbly personality was all about family, proudly bragging about one of his daughter's acceptances to uni. Sure, he initially tried to sell us his services, but we were prepared for that before hopping in the cab. Despite our initial terror at his driving skills, we were amazed by his character, and his prices were more than fair compared to Google's recommendations. Mumhed took us to our hostel and then gave us a lift to Petra the next day, a two-hour trip there and back from Aqaba. He even threw in some massive pita breads for us to munch on while he stopped to grab some chicken for his dinner on the way back. Along the way, he pointed out all the notable sites and picture spots, ensuring we didn't miss a thing. And when it came to organising our truck trip to Wadi Rum, Mumhed took the lead, driving us there and back himself and giving us the chance to meet loads of camels on the way. To top it off, Mumhed even joined us for the truck trip itself, which we were more than happy to have him done so.

Mumhed

My trip to Jordan was quite an eye-opener. Who would have thought that stepping out of my comfort zone could lead to experiences that were beyond my wildest dreams? It was a journey of self-discovery that had a profound impact on me. As I reminisce on this epic adventure, I can't help but acknowledge how much it has influenced me. It was my first trip outside the "western world" and out of my comfort zone, but wow did it whet my appetite for more travel and exploration. I mean, who wouldn't want to tick off all seven wonders of the world, am I right?

I must say, staying in a foreign hostel for the first time was a bit nerve-wracking for someone like me who is paranoid about snoring. But hey, I did it and would definitely do it again.

Unfortunately, as well as not camping in Wadi Rum, we also didn't have enough time to float in the salt lakes, but mark my words, if I ever go back to Jordan, that's on my to-do list, if those lakes still exist, that is.

Well, let me tell you, Jordan is one hell of a stunning place to visit. I mean, you've got Petra, the Red Sea, and Wadi Rum - all absolutely breath-taking. But you know what really made the trip for me? The people. They were so welcoming and friendly; it was like being back home. If you're looking for a holiday that's going to push you out of your comfort zone and get you feeling inspired, then Jordan is definitely the way to go. Trust me, it's got something for everyone - history buffs, adventure junkies, you name it. And let's face it, you're going to come back from that trip feeling like you've seen the world in a whole new way.

If you have a list of places your keen to visit and Jordan isn’t on your list, you're missing out. It's got everything you could want - natural wonders, cultural treasures, and some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet. So, get yourself over there, whether you want to check out some ancient ruins or get your scuba gear on and dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. Take it from my experience, it's going to be one adventure you won't regret.