Uncover Petra's Secrets: A Wassaif Camp Adventure in Jordan
Alright, let's dive into this review of Uncover Petra's Secrets: A Wassaif Camp Adventure in Jordan, and let me tell you, I'm already buzzing with excitement and a touch of trepidation. I mean, Petra! One of the wonders of the world! This isn’t just a hotel review; it's a promise – to help you decide if this Wassaif Camp lives up to the hype. Buckle up, buttercups, 'cause it's gonna be a ride… and you're gonna get the unfiltered truth.
First Impressions & That Whole "Accessibility" Thing…
Okay, let's rip off the band-aid first: Accessibility. This is where the dreamy Petra experience meets the REAL world. The description lists "Facilities for disabled guests" and "Elevator". Bless 'em for trying, but let’s be brutally honest: Petra is NOT the most accessible place. Think ancient city carved into sandstone. Think rugged trails. Think steps. The good news is, the camp itself, from what I’ve gleaned (and let's be honest, I haven't personally wheelchaired it -- but I've READ), aims to be accommodating. "Facilities for disabled guests" isn’t a guarantee of full accessibility, but it's a good starting point. Definitely call ahead and clarify EVERYTHING. Seriously, don't leave this to chance. And be prepared to compromise. The thought is there, but the implementation might, well, be a bit… Jordan-esque. We're talking about a location in the heart of a historical site.
Internet: The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler (and, Let's Face It, a Bit Addicted)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the travel gods! 10/10!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Gotta upload those Instagram stories, yeah.
- Internet [LAN], Internet services: Fine, if you absolutely HAVE to plug in. Who even does LAN anymore?
- Internet: Yeah, it's there. (Hopefully, it's not buffering like crazy when you're trying to Facetime home.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, You Know, We're Still Living in the World
Okay, this is a big one. I’m a germaphobe at heart, confession!
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Breakfast in room/in-room breakfast: Oh, yes please!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Awesome, you should have it.
- Hand sanitizer: Essential.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Necessary.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Trying, bless them, but don't hold your breath.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay, good, because a 72-hour wait from when I request my room be disinfected to it actually happening is not cool.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: YES.
- Safe dining setup: Essential.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: A must.
- Shared stationery removed: Yes!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Praying they are.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Relieved.
- First aid kit: Essential.
- Hygiene certification: I hope so.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Hopefully, they're as effective as the cleaners.
- Sterilizing equipment: I hope so.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventurer's Soul
This is where things get interesting. Let's see what the culinary adventure is really like:
- A la carte in restaurant: Okay, options.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Good for dietary restrictions.
- Asian breakfast: I'm intrigued…
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Okay…
- Bar: Gotta have a sundowner after a day of hiking.
- Bottle of water: A life-saver in the desert.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I LOVE a good buffet.
- Breakfast service: Essential.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Needed.
- Coffee shop: Always nice.
- Desserts in restaurant: YES.
- Happy hour: Even better.
- International cuisine in restaurant: I wanna eat Jordanian food!
- Poolside bar: Because you must relax.
- Restaurants: Plural? Good.
- Room service [24-hour]: Excellent for midnight snack attacks.
- Salad in restaurant: Healthy.
- Snack bar: Always handy.
- Soup in restaurant: Perfect for a cool desert night.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Good to know
- Western breakfast: If all else fails.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: But give me Jordanian food first!
Okay, so the food situation sounds… varied. "International cuisine" makes me nervous. I'm hoping they embrace the local flavors and don't just serve sad, generic hotel fare.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Hopefully)
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: If there are any.
- Business facilities: Probably there.
- Cash withdrawal: Always useful.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: YES.
- Convenience store: Just in case.
- Currency exchange: Very helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Necessary.
- Doorman: Nice touch.
- Dry cleaning: Very important.
- Elevator: As mentioned.
- Essential condiments: Hopefully.
- Facilities for disabled guests: As mentioned.
- Food delivery: I would order something.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Convenient.
- Indoor venue for special events: Nice.
- Ironing service: Good to have.
- Laundry service: Essential
- Luggage storage: Always good.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Good.
- Meetings: Depends.
- On-site event hosting: Who knows?
- Outdoor venue for special events: Nice.
- Projector/LED display: Maybe.
- Safety deposit boxes: Safety first.
- Seminars: Unsure.
- Smoking area: I hope it isn't in the tent!
- Terrace: Perfect for drinks.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Yeah.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Meh.
- 24-hour front desk: Fantastic.
For the Kids: Are They Welcome?
- Babysitting service: Nice.
- Family/child friendly: Nice.
- Kids facilities: Great
- Kids meal: Nice!
Things to Do: Beyond Petra (If You Can Believe It!)
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Because you'll need muscles.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath: Okay, now we're talking. Unwind after all that hiking! This is VERY important. After a long day exploring the Lost City, you'll be grateful for these amenities. I am a big fan of the sauna, it's perfect.
Getting Around: Airport transfers and Car Park
- Airport transfer: A must.
- Bicycle parking: Meh.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking: Depends how you arrive.
- Taxi service: Essential.
The Rooms: A Deeper Dive into the Sleeping Quarters
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks: the rooms. Based on the available list, here's what you can expect.
- Additional toilet: Nice.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Fine.
- Bathrobes: Very cozy.
- Bathroom phone: Unnecessary.
- Bathtub: Okay.
- Blackout curtains: YES!
- Carpeting: Probably.
- Closet: Needed.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Very nice.
- Daily housekeeping: Essential.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Necessary.
- Extra long bed: Always appreciated.
- Free bottled water: Essential.
- Hair dryer: A must.
- High floor: I always like a view.
- In-room safe box: Definitely needed.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Okay, good.
- **Ironing facilities
Petra Wassaif Camp: My Brain Vomit Travel Itinerary
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because planning this Petra trip felt less like crafting a masterpiece and more like wrestling a rogue octopus in a sandstorm. This itinerary isn’t perfect, it's probably not recommended by "experts," and it's definitely got more drama than a Jordanian soap opera. But hey, at least it’s real.
Day 1: Arrival & That Damned Camel Ride (and the Bedouin Tea!)
- Morning (or what felt like morning after 3 red-eye flights): Touchdown in Amman. Ugh, the airport smells like a weird mix of cardamom and anxiety. Luckily, the pre-booked driver from the camp (thank god, I’m not navigating Jordanian public transport after this flight) was waiting, holding a sign with my name scrawled on it. He looked like he'd seen some things (or maybe just endured a lot of tourists like me).
- Mid-Day: The drive to Petra. Scenery? Epic. Mountains, desert, an old, slightly rickety bus that looked like it was about to shed a wheel at any moment. I started to question all my life choices, including this trip.
- Afternoon: Arrived at Wassaif Camp! Okay, so "camp" is an understatement. It's glamping, but with a healthy dose of authentic Bedouin charm (and a few stray cats that seemed to own the place). The tent was actually kinda comfy (seriously, I was expecting a cot and a mosquito net, not a proper bed). But…the bathroom situation? Let's just say I'm rethinking the whole "drinking water" thing for the next few days.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: THE CAMEL RIDE. Okay, so this was on my "must do" list, and now I understand why people say, “don't get on a camel". It was a bumpy, swaying, vaguely humiliating experience. I felt like a drunk penguin clinging to life. My thighs still hurt. But… the sunset? Absolutely breathtaking. Seriously stunning. They made us Bedouin tea after and it was so potent I was sure I could see the future. It was also ridiculously sweet. Sugar coma incoming.
- Evening: Dinner at the camp. Mezze, grilled meat, and more tea. The food was delicious and the stars over the camp are something out of a fairytale; I think I could have stayed there forever.
Day 2: Petra Itself – The Treasury, the Siq, and My Existential Crisis.
- Early Morning (read: I dragged myself out of bed at an ungodly hour): Hike through the Siq to the Treasury. The Siq is narrower than it looks! Honestly, the anticipation was killing me. The first glimpse of the Treasury? Jaw. On. The. Floor. I'm not even exaggerating. It's like the world's most beautiful piece of performance art, standing tall, telling its secrets.
- Late Morning: Okay, here's where things got…weird. I spent like, an hour just staring at the Treasury. Then I started questioning everything. My life, my purpose, why socks keep disappearing in the laundry. (Maybe the Nabataeans knew the secret.)
- Afternoon: So, I was told to visit Petra’s other sites. The Monastery. The Royal Tombs. I tried. I really did. But… the climb to the Monastery. Oh. My. God. It was like a death march. Every step felt like a personal failure. I'm convinced the Bedouin people were born on those rocky steps. I made it, barely. The Monastery was impressive, but I was more impressed with my own ability to still stand.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Wandered around, overwhelmed and hungry. Found a tiny shop where I bought some truly terrible but probably authentic Jordanian snacks. Headed back to camp, and had a celebratory dinner. Ordered a bottle of wine (hey, I earned it!).
Day 3: More Petra & Wassaif camp.
- Morning through Mid-Day: Slept in, ate the breakfast provided, and went around. It was such a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everything.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Said goodbye to the camp and the people.
Day 4: Departure (and the lingering taste of mint tea).
- Morning: The drive back to Amman. This time, I'd accepted my fate. Just another, slightly frazzled, tourist. Arrived at Amman, then airport.
- Afternoon: Goodbye Jordan. Goodbye Petra. The memories of this trip are great. So great that I plan to go back one day.
Ramblings & Random Thoughts:
- The Bedouins: Seriously, these people are so incredible. Their hospitality is unparalleled. They looked out for us and guided us. I've never met such friendly people.
- The Heat: It was hot. Like, scorch-the-skin hot. Drink water. Seriously.
- The Food: I ate my weight in hummus. No regrets.
- My Internal Monologue: A constant stream of awe, self-doubt, and the occasional craving for a cheeseburger (I blame jet lag).
- My Overall Vibe: A magical mess. But hey, that's life, right?
Final Word:
Go to Petra. Just go. It's a place that will lodge itself in your brain and make you question everything. It might break you a little. But it'll also give you a story to tell for the rest of your life. And the Bedouin tea? Oh, sweet, sweet, sugary Bedouin tea… worth every calorie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. My legs are still screaming. And I'm pretty sure I left a piece of my soul in the Siq.
Paradise Found: Unbelievable Punta Cana Luxury at The Reserve!
Uncover Petra's Secrets: A Wassaif Camp Adventure - FAQs (and My Ramblings)
So, Petra. It's *really* as amazing as everyone says? Don't lie to me.
Alright, alright, buckle up. Here's the truth, *straight* from someone who's been there and sweated through the sandstone: Petra is… a mind-bender. Forget Instagram – it's *way* more captivating in person. That iconic Treasury? Yeah, it'll knock your socks off. But honestly? It's the *Siq*, that narrow gorge you walk through to get there, that gets you. Seriously, I almost cried. Not from sadness, mind you. Okay, maybe a little, but it was mostly the sheer overwhelming *beauty* of it all. Like, imagine nature and ancient human craftsmanship got together and decided to show off. The light, the colors… it's freaking magical.
Honestly, you'll probably take a million photos. Everyone does. I certainly did. But photos never do it justice. It’s the feeling of being swallowed by the rock, the echoes of your footsteps in that silent, ancient place. It's… intense.
What's this Wassaif Camp business all about? Is it just a fancy tent in the desert?
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The Wassaif Camp… well, let's just say it's not *just* a tent. It's like... a portal. To another time, maybe? I have no idea. You're tucked away in the Jordanian desert, miles from anything resembling civilization, and suddenly... you're living like, well, a darn *king* (or queen)! They've got these seriously comfortable tents, with real beds (thank goodness, after all that walking!), and... wait for it... *private bathrooms*. That was the selling point for me. I didn't think I could be that comfortable in the desert, and I'm still somewhat baffled by how great it was.
And the food? Forget your lukewarm instant ramen. We're talking feasts! Seriously, endless dishes of amazing, flavorful food. The barbecued lamb? Oh. My. God. I still dream about it. Seriously, go hungry. You'll thank me later.
Seriously, the food? Is it safe to eat? I'm a bit of a germaphobe.
Look, I get it. Food poisoning is the absolute worst. I went in with those same fears! But the food at Wassaif Camp? Totally fine. I can't speak for everyone, but I wasn't sick at all. They're super careful with hygiene. And honestly, they're cooking amazing stuff. It all felt incredibly flavorful and fresh. Plus after a day of hiking, you'll be so hungry you won't care about germs!
You know, now that I think about it… I was probably more worried about the *sand* than the food. Sand gets. everywhere. My shoes? Sand. My hair? Sand. Between my toes? Sand. It's unavoidable. Embrace it. Consider it a natural exfoliant.
Okay, I'm sold on the camp. But how hard is the actual *walking* in Petra? I'm not exactly an Olympian.
Alright, this is important. It's not a leisurely stroll. You'll be doing a *lot* of walking. A LOT. And some of it is uphill. The main route, the Siq to the Treasury, is relatively easy, but once you get beyond that? It gets real. Think stairs, uneven paths, and the relentless Jordanian sun. And the crowds! Ugh, the crowds. Be prepared to jostle. But honestly? It's worth it.
And the views? Oh, the views! They'll take you breath away. Even if you don't have the energy for the entire hike. I'd say, pace yourself. Bring plenty of water. And wear the right shoes. Seriously. Good shoes are your best friend. And maybe even a pair of hiking poles if you're feeling it. No shame in that game! I nearly fell at one point.
I met this one older couple, right? They were probably in their seventies, and they were absolutely *smashing* it. They were slower than everyone else, but they were determined! It was so inspiring! I ended up walking with them and they were telling me all these amazing stories. It totally changed my perspective about how to experience the place.
What should I pack? I'm terrible with packing.
Okay, packing. Don't overthink it. Here's what I wish I'd known:
- **Good walking shoes, really good ones.** Seriously. Break them in *before* you go. Your feet will thank you.
- **Sunscreen.** The Jordanian sun is no joke. Reapply constantly. I’m not kidding.
- A hat. Broad-brimmed, if possible.
- Sunglasses. Duh.
- Loose, comfortable clothing. Layers are key. It can get surprisingly chilly at night.
- A water bottle. And a way to refill it. You'll need to drink a *ton* of water.
- A headlamp or flashlight. The camp gets dark at night.
- Bug spray, I don't think I really used it, but you might.
- A small flashlight or headlamp
- And don't forget things like toothpaste, a toothbrush, and any medications you need.
- And camera gear. Seriously, take lots of pictures.
Oh and one more thing: a little bit of cash for tips. You'll want to reward the wonderful people at the camp, and the guides.
What about the camel rides? Tourist trap or worth it?
Okay, listen. I'm going to be honest. I'm on the fence about the camels. On the one hand, it's kind of a touristy thing. On the other hand, it can get you up to some pretty cool places and gives your legs a rest when you're tired. They can be a bit pricey, and the camel handling is not really up to the level of animal care I'm used to, but I'm not an expert. I had one ride up to the Monastery. It was… bumpy. And a little smelly. But the view from up there? Unforgettable. Maybe skip it if you have ethical concerns about the animals. It's your call. There are donkeys too by the Treasury, which are a much better option.
But honestly? The best part of the camel ride was probably the *people watching*. I saw some hilarious, and painful, dismounts. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends. And the guys working the camels can be pretty funny. One of them tried to sell me… wait for it… a camel hair scarf. I had to politely decline. I already bought one a few years ago.
Is it safe to go to JordanFindelicious Hotels
Post a Comment for "Uncover Petra's Secrets: A Wassaif Camp Adventure in Jordan"