3 Unexpected Moments I Had in Jordan

When most people think of Jordan, they immediately picture Petra, Wadi Rum, and floating in the Dead Sea. Those experiences absolutely live up to the hype.

But some of my favorite memories from Jordan were the ones that could never have been planned.

These are three moments that made me fall in love with the Kingdom of Jordan.

Michelle Ruiz in Amman, Jordan

Umayyad Palace

On my first ( of many! ) trips to Jordan I was excited to experience Petra, Wadi Rum, and the trendy rooftop bars in Amman.

What I didn't expect was that one of my most memorable moments would happen on our very first day.

We were visiting the Citadel in Amman, exploring the ancient ruins and standing near the famous Hand of Hercules. We made it to the top of the hill with incredible views over the city and just as the sun began to set, the call to prayer started echoing across Amman.

Standing among centuries-old ruins while hearing that beautiful sound drift through the city was one of those rare travel moments that stops you in your tracks.

Nearby stood the magnificent Umayyad Palace, adding even more beauty and history to the scene. For a few minutes, everything seemed to stand still.

It felt like I was standing somewhere truly special on this Earth.

Hiking in Wadi Rum

Sure, the luxury glamping in Wadi Rum is incredible, but one of my favorite moments happened during a guided hike in the desert.

Now, if you know me, you know I'm not exactly a hiker or even an “outdoorsy” person.

Thankfully, this was a light hike and I was feeling adventurous this day.

Our guide led us through the desert to a series of hidden viewpoints surrounded by towering rock formations and endless open space. The scenery was so surreal that it felt like we had landed on another planet.

At one point, I found the perfect spot to practice a few yoga postures.

There I was, breathing in complete silence, surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes I had ever seen.

It was one of those moments where you feel completely connected to nature, completely present, and beyond grateful to be exactly where you are.

Baby Wild Camels

My favorite unexpected moment also happened in Wadi Rum.

We had stopped during our jeep tour to take a short break and enjoy the scenery. Out in the distance, we noticed a group of young camels slowly making their way toward us.

We stood quietly and watched.

They kept coming.

And coming.

Before we knew it, they had wandered right up to us. Our guide showed us how to offer small pieces of pita bread from our hands, and the camels happily accepted the snacks and some upclose photos!

What made this moment so special was that it wasn't planned.

We were simply out in the middle of the desert when nature decided to share a little bit of magic with us.

To this day, it remains one of my favorite travel memories … not just in Jordan, but anywhere in the world.

The Moments You Never Plan For

I could write an entire book about the unexpected moments Jordan has given me over the years.

While Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum deserve every bit of their fame, it's often the unplanned moments that stay with us the longest.

The conversations with locals, the sunsets, the sounds, the wildlife, and the little surprises that become part of your personal story.

These are just three of mine.

I'll be back soon with more Jordan stories!

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Michelle Ruiz and the team at VIVE Society Travel create Custom Private journeys throughout Jordan and host Small-group Luxury Tours designed to help travelers experience the country's history, culture, landscapes and meaningful moments for themselves.

Ready to start planning your own Jordan adventure? Submit your inquiry today.