Wadi Rum
A Wadi is a dried-out river bed. Dry that is unless it rains! See the photos of Jeep Ride below to see the effects of flash floods in a desert environment.
The Wadi Rum is one of the largest Wadis in the world with vast and very impressive scenery which my photos hardly do justice to.
We camped here overnight. Unfortunately because of the unseasonal heavy overnight rains we could not sleep out under the stars. Maybe next time? It was still a memorable experience.
Jordan 2014 Photos:
The unusual rock formations were are formed through the weather erosion over aeons of time.
The mornings and evenings were particularly special. It is very easy to get disoriented in the Wadi Rum at this time. Rock formations in the distance seem to change shape in the low slanting sunlight. It is very confusing here unless you are a local. Hence the ideal hideout for T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Uprising in WWI.
Of course this rock formation was given the title of Lawrence’s book – The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Unusual rock formations are worth clambering over, even if getting onto them & getting off can be a bit awkward.
Ready, steady,……..
Go….!
We drove from Petra to the Wadi Rum in 5 jeeps. Not all the drivers were good at driving in the desert after flash floods. It led to a couple of hilarious incidents with drivers getting stuck.
Getting to our camp in the Wadi Rum meant crossing some fast flowing rivers in the desert caused by the overnight massive downpour. There was obviously the risk of getting stuck and not all the drivers were competent – or confident of negotiating the torrents of water.
Watching the efforts to retrieve the stuck jeeps was entertaining. What is the Arabic for Schadenfreude?
The Bedouin Camp
A communal overnight stay in the desert made a change from the normal tourist hotels. Our Camp was in Wadi Umm al-Ishrin in the Wadi Rum. A lonely Bedouin camp, very romantic. Unfortunately because of the overnight downpour it got very cold overnight – so no sleeping under the stars.
The excellent communal evening meal was prepared by our jovial host.
Breakfast though was outside. The tea was refreshing – even better in the sun.
The afternoon that we arrived at the camp there was a camel ride laid on for those keen to emulate T.E. Lawrence. However Ann & I have been on enough (uncomfortable) camel rides over the years & declined the option.
Part way into the camel ride we were hit by a sandstorm. You can see it approaching us to the left of this photo. Luckily it soon passed us by.
The return at sunset.
The Hejaz Railway
As described in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the Hejaz railway played a key role in the Arab Uprising against the Ottomans. And here it is skirting the Wadi Rum.
A nearby reconstruction of a WWI Ottoman troop train stuck in the middle of the desert seemed a bit pointless.
