This is my journey to Jordan; the warmth of its people, the stunning desert landscapes, the delicious food, and the comforting sense of being close to home all came together to make this trip truly unforgettable. The heat of the air, the raw beauty of Wadi Rum’s desert landscapes, seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye, and floating in the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth—it was all nothing short of magical.
Photography became my personal way of documenting both my travels and life’s journey. As someone who often finds it challenging to express emotions with words, I use photography as an outlet to convey the feelings and experiences that words alone cannot capture.
I grew up in Damascus, Syria, what is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world. Back then, creativity and photography weren’t really part of my world. Life was simpler, and so were my dreams.
My love for travel began after a tough chapter in my life. I decided to book a solo trip, my first ever, and it turned out to be life changing. I spent the freezing winter traveling across Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, and finally St. Petersburg, Russia. That trip lit a spark in me – a love for exploring the world.
The vibe and atmosphere of the journey to Jordan was absolutely amazing, one that reminded me of home a lot.
Technically, I’d been there before as a kid—we used to visit the capital Amman occasionally – but I never traveled beyond the capital.
We sought out experiences in the desert, chasing sunsets at unique spots and connecting with locals to hear their perspectives. Speaking Arabic definitely helped break the ice and made those interactions even more meaningful. Jordan is a very safe country, and throughout our travels there, we always felt secure and well taken care of. The people were welcoming, and we never had any safety concerns.
We rented a car upon landing at the airport. We found it the best way to get around Jordan. The country is relatively small, and driving is generally pretty straightforward. Although we had to be mindful of speed bumps and the occasional camel that might cross the road unexpectedly! When we headed into the desert, the local camp picked us up, so we could leave our rental car safely outside. We didn’t want to take the risk of driving through the sand which can get tricky. For some parts we still needed to let a bit of air out of the tires for better traction.
Booking with one of the local camps was an amazing way to immerse myself in the true desert experience. We stayed at “Mohammad Mutlak Camp,”. It was incredible, and we really got to experience the desert in its raw, authentic form. It’s a unique experience that I won’t forget! We spent a lot of time chatting with the owners of the Muhammad Mutlak camp in Wadi Rum, and it led to a genuine connection. I know that when I return, they’ll welcome me with open arms!
We started out quite literally less than 500 km away from where I grew up. I have a strong desire to venture out on my own, so I even experienced almost getting lost in the desert. The desert’s vastness and lack of landmarks made it easy to quickly become disoriented and lose my way back to the camp. It was an important reminder to always be cautious. Even better to stay with a local guide or as a group!
It’s tough to pick a favorite place in such a diverse country with places like Petra, but if I had to, I’d choose the Wadi Rum Desert. Its vastness, the unique rock formations, and the magical night skies with zero light pollution make it unforgettable. It was also my first time in the desert, which made it even more special. Exploring the desert with our local guide was fascinating. No roads, just the unique rock formations by day, and the night sky as their guide after dark. What an extraordinary and timeless way to navigate!
One evening we went deep into the desert with our friends and local guide to catch the sunset. We stumbled upon this uniquely shaped rock, and one of our friends climbed up onto it while the rest of us climbed on rocks opposite for a better view. As the sun began to set, the scene unfolded into something magical. What an adventure, what a view – and thankfully, I was there to capture the moment!
After that sunset adventure, we had one of those heartwarming local encounters. The local Bedouins invited us for tea, and one of them, who owned a few camels, struck up a conversation with me. He only spoke Arabic, so I was the one talking with him. Being from Syria and speaking Arabic, I had little trouble with the language. The Jordanian dialect is a bit different from Syrian Arabic, but still I was still able to understand and communicate.
He shared stories about his life in the desert – how he lived in a cave with his wife and kids and a few camels. Then, he showed me his phone: one of those old Nokias from the early 2000s that only made calls and sent texts. I don’t know; something about that moment really humbled me. The simplicity of his life and his apparent contentment made me reflect – do we really need more to be happy, or is happiness found in being content with what we have? Most people seemed genuinely content with what they had, it still reminds me to try and find fulfillment in whatever life throws my way.
Petra – one of the wonders of the world – still was absolutely magnificent. Seeing it in person for the first time was truly amazing. You hear about these wonders your whole life, but standing there, surrounded by it and imagining the countless people who walked the same path throughout history was a deeply humbling experience.
We attended the “Petra By Night” event as well, which takes place at Petra after it gets dark. Lanterns illuminate the path to the world wonder, creating a magical atmosphere. A few locals even noticed us and invited us into their cave, where we had a perfect view of the entire scene – it was truly magical!
I’ve always said that Arabic music resonates deeply with your soul, especially if you speak the language. We spent a lot of time dancing and listening to the vibrant rhythms, and I loved every bit of it. It’s impossible to sit still with music like that – it just pulls you in, and you can’t help but move your body to the beat, feeling it in every part of your soul!
The crowds can definitely be overwhelming though, so going early in the morning or right before closing time was also useful. These times seem to have fewer visitors, which allowed us to experience the wonder of Petra more peacefully as well.
Further off the beaten path was visiting Aqaba and the Red Sea in southern Jordan. We went there to relax for a day but ended up diving into an unforgettable experience in the Red Sea. I’d never seen water so clear before, with vibrant corals and marine life. The highlight for me was spotting a sunken plane wreck at 16 meters depth – it was surreal and something I completely recommend. Back then, I wasn’t the diver I am today, but it left such an impression. Now, as a certified assistant instructor freediver, I can’t wait to go back and explore it even more deeply!
We tried a lot of local food, but what really stood out was the way the Bedouins in the desert prepared their meals. They made a dish called ‘Zarb,’ where they’d prepare meat and vegetables in the morning, then bury them in an oven dug deep into the sandy ground. It would slowly cook there for hours, until it was ready in the evening. Not only unique but absolutely delicious and a must experience when you’re in the desert!
I highly recommend trying ‘Mansaf.’ We had it at a restaurant near Petra, and it was absolutely delicious. It’s a traditional Jordanian dish made of lamb cooked in a dried yogurt sauce, then served with rice. It’s a popular dish in Jordan, so if you come across it, definitely give it a try!
The tea was something special aswell. It might sound basic, but the tea in the desert was incredibly delicious. We found ourselves drinking 5-6 cups a day – it was just too good to resist!
To me, the best time to visit Jordan is from autumn to spring.
Jordan can get pretty hot, the summer months can be brutal.
Months like October or March are perfect, as it’s warm but not overwhelming.
If you’re visiting in December, though, be prepared for a temperature drop in the desert – during the day, it can reach as high as 30°C, but at night it gets freezing, which catches a lot of people off guard. Clothing can get tricky, but in months like April, light summer clothes and a jacket should be more than enough.
Exchanging currency to Jordanian Dinars upon arrival was a must for more ease of mind. Many places in Jordan prefer cash transactions so it was useful to have cash on hand. We exchanged Euros at the airport and in exchange offices. There are many throughout the cities like Aqaba and Amman.
We also bought local SIM cards at the airport aswell, Jordan has decent network coverage even in remote areas so this was a great way to stay connected. The process was simple, we found several providers offering affordable plans with good coverage. Still, we made sure we told our loved ones where we were before heading into the desert since we knew connection is not a guarantee. But even in there we found in some parts if we climbed a rock or two we could get a bit of signal.
Jordan is a pretty affordable destination. From hotels and day passes at the Dead Sea to food, diving, and desert day trips, everything is reasonably priced and doesn’t break the bank. In my opinion it’s truly worth every penny.
Jordan is truly a photographer’s paradise, offering diverse landscapes and many scenes to capture. It might sound cliche, but taking full advantage of the golden hour in Jordan is absolutely magical. With everything in a warm, golden glow it always elevates my photos. During the day, when the sun is high and harsh shadows are present, sometimes I experiment with those shadows to create striking contrasts and unique compositions. It’s a great opportunity to capture some interesting shots!
Travel has definitely changed my outlook on life. It has taught me not to take things too seriously and reminded me of the immense beauty the world holds. It’s also shown me that, despite all our differences as people, we share far more in common than we realize.
Travel has introduced me to new experiences, faces, and cultures, and given me a fresh perspective on who I am. Travel showed me photography, a passion that has profoundly enriched my life. Additionally, it was through travel that I stumbled upon my love for freediving, which has also transformed my life completely. Travel helped me to redefine my purpose in life, even through the simplest things.
Even just sitting down with the locals for a cup of tea, no technology involved – just pure, uninterrupted moments together. Enjoying each other’s company, soaking in the surroundings, and being fully present.