I think camels are adorable. Their cute faces, knock-knees, and endearing awkwardness make me melt. For this reason I was tickled by the prospect of touring the desert valley of Wadi Rum- a portion of the tour called for a ride on a one-humped wonder. Aww!Wadi Rum, located in southern Jordan, is one of the country’s most touristed attractions. Made popular by the movie Lawrence of Arabia, the stunning desert vistas stretch further than the eye can see. Before making our way north to Petra, Liebling and I spent one day and one night here, discovering the treasures hidden within the vast, dry valley.
Time and time again, we were told by friends and guidebooks that the best way to explore Jordan’s largest wadi was on camel, so as soon as we came across a reputable tour company that included a camel ride as part of its itinerary, we booked two places without hesitation. Soon, I made a new hairy friend. I was ecstatic; while I’ve visited a huge camel market in Dubai, I’ve never actually ridden one of the gentle giants.
When in Wadi Rum, you should ride a camel. Even if, as I soon discovered, camel-riding is very smelly and quite uncomfortable.
After an hour of riding a camel through the soul-melting heat, it was time to switch to the second phase of our tour and another form of transportation. With sore thighs and smarting derrieres, we gingerly dismounted our dromedary friends and made for the relative comfort of a 4×4 truck driven by our Bedouin guide.
Massive mounds of sandstone and granite rock jut out unevenly from everywhere, begging to be scaled, climbed, and then clung to for dear life (I’m afraid of heights, remember?). After a few heart-stopping moments of terror in the air, I decided to stick to patrolling the ground and let the more adventurous Liebling reach dizzying heights. My camel ride was enough excitement for one day!
Have you ever visited the desert or ridden a camel?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi
So nice to see your travels. I will restart my travels April 10 to May 30th. I plan to go to Prague, Vienna and Budapest at the end and begin in Israel. I will be in Israel for a month.
I love your website.
I’m traveling by myself, so if you have any ideas please pass them along.l
All the best.
Paula
Paula! Great to hear from you and glad that the travelling spirit still lives on! I’ve been to all the places on your itinerary and had a great time in them all (especially Israel). Email me if you need any info on where to stay in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Masada!!
I’ve never ridden a camel OR been to a desert like that – but it all looks/sounds amazing! I mean, look at the color of that sand! Wow!
Amanda recently posted..Taking it Slow on Caye Caulker
Looking back on the pictures I can’t believe I was there! Very very cool but extremely hot!
Sounds great! Next time I visit the dessert ill do it by camel! Only done it once yeeaaaars ago when I was a kid and still living in Spain. I barely remember!
Sebastian @ Off-The-Path.com recently posted..Choeung EK Memorial und die Killing Fields von Phnom Penh in Kambodscha
It was fun overall but I was sore between the legs for the next two days lol..
The Jorda desert give the Dubai desert a run for its money…I got on a camel for the first time in Dubai also and I did not really like it.
‘Lara recently posted..Italy: Snapshots of Bergamo
I found the colours more vibrant in the Jordanian desert and also found the scenery more interesting.
I rode a camel in Morocco! Not fun, but I would totally do it again. What awesome pics!!!!!!!!
Andi recently posted..Andi’s Pick: Inn On Biltmore Estate
Thanks Andi!
I haven’t really been to the dessert like that before, but I have ridden a camel along the beach in Queensland. They aren’t super comfy, are they?
decoybetty recently posted..A magic moment
Not at all!! Definitely more about the experience than the comfort lol.
The pic of you dancing round the huge stones is too funny!
Hey Oneika can you do a blog post on you skin, make-up and hair routine? Plus what products you use? I am always curious about beauty routines of friends, family etc and will the one rummaginf through a friends make-up bag always!:)
I definitely will do a post! But to be honest, I am really simple and don’t take care of myself too well – I don’t really have a regime!
Wow, the colour of that sand is amazing! I’ve been in a few deserts, and ridden camels in Egypt, Morocco, and Mongolia. I was able to ride a Bactrian camel (with two humps) in Mongolia, and it was much more comfortable! I love your tales of adventure…
This Battered Suitcase recently posted..Should I Stay Or Should I Go? A Traveller’s Conflict
You are a desert expert!! I need to make my way to Mongolia!
uh, I just ridden a camel for the first time last Friday in Morocco and I must say it wasn’t my favourite thing to do! but I loved the desert there and the one in Jordan looks amazing! Stunning pictures! I’m nto surprised you loved it there!
kami recently posted..a guide to sleeping at the airport
Hi Oneika,
I love this post on the one-hump wonder! Hehe. Your photos of the desert are simply stunning too. I haven’t experienced both so I’m definitely looking forward to this when the time comes.
Cheers.
Fie
I have yet to visit the desert or ride a camel but I definitely plan to do both in the future. You’re pictures are amazing yet again!
Kory recently posted..Career Corner: A Chat with Janel Martinez
Thanks Kory! Definitely keep Wadi Rum in mind for both experiences