Wadi Rum also known as The Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of the port of Aqaba; it is the largest wadi (Wadi is the Arabic term for valley) in Jordan. Wadi Rum’s highest elevation is Mount Um Dami at 1,840 metres.
The Bedouin people that inhabit the area still maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyle. They are hospitable and offer a friendly welcome to visitors, often inviting them to sit and enjoy a coffee or if you’re lucky, a meal.
Sadly, when I travelled through Jordan during 1989 I didn’t have the knowledge of just how incredible the place is and from Aqaba, travelled straight to Petra and and on to Amman. Wadi Rum was added to the Bucket List some time ago and I can’t stop kicking myself for missing it.
Petra is an amazing Nabataean archaeological site located south of the capital Amman, in the area known as Wadi Musa. Petra was the capital of the Nabataean civilisation during the 6th century and was registered on the UNESCO world heritage list during 1985.
Petra is a truly amazing place. From my own experience and knowing little about it on arrival, it was my own ‘discovery’. I had no preconceived expectations. I was in awe at what lay before me after reaching the end of the narrow Siq (a narrow gorge, more than 1 kilometre in length and flanked on either side by soaring, 80 metres high red cliffs).
Diary extract – 23 May, 1989
“…started out at 7.30am for the walk from the hotel to Petra. The temperature at that hour was very pleasant. There were a number of horses and donkey’s for the tourists to ride on but we decided to walk to the site of Petra. Part of the way we walked with local girls heading off to school. They were all covered and very curious about our presence at that hour. We began the walk through the mile long Siq, past the most vivid of colours in the gorge walls. The first glimpse of the Treasury as you approached the final leg of the Siq was truly breathtaking. From the Treasury we went up to the Place of Sacrifice. This was a silent, peaceful spot with fabulous views across all of Petra. I could have sat there all day and just gazed at the beauty of the rock colours and distant temples…”
Petra became even more well known in 1989 when Steven Spielberg’s movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was released. The Treasury, together with many other archaeological delights that are carved into the red stone of the area and are very well preserved and warranted the archaeological site being chosen in July 2007 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There are a number of walks throughout the archaeological park and it is advised, to see the park thoroughly, at least 2 days is recommended.
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Wadi Rum also known as The Valley of the Moon is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km to the east of the port of Aqaba; it is the largest wadi (Wadi is the Arabic term for valley) in Jordan. Wadi Rum’s highest elevation is Mount Um Dami at 1,840 metres.
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