After a cold night (note to self to wear at least 3 layers and a hat) and breakfast – boiled eggs, pitta bread and rehydrated yoghurt which was yummy mixed with fig jam 😊 – we set off on a scramble. I’ve never really done scrambling before and this one was quite challenging for a firs attempt! We climbed Burdah Rock, which stands at a height of around 1,300m. At the top can be found Wadi Rum’s highest rock bridge, if you are afraid of heights this activity is maybe not for you!
If you are tempted to do this please take a guide as it is dangerous in parts and route is not always obvious. We had an excellent guide, who coaxed us up the more difficult sections and got everyone up and down safely. It was a beautiful day and as we climbed higher there was a lovely breeze that helped keep us cool. At certain points there were little plateaus where we could admire the view, before ascending yet another rock face clinging precariously by our fingertips at times.
Eventually you reach the final scramble to the top, and the reward of a very cool photo on the rock bridge. Getting down took a lot less time than going up and we made it back to the camp site for lunch and a rest before trekking to our second camp site, and a chance to watch the sun going down. The evening was warmer, maybe due to our location which was just inside a little gorge. The stars seemed even more amazing than the first night and I felt really happy that evening, a combination of achieving a difficult challenge, the beauty of the surroundings and the camaraderie of the group.
I know that some people think it strange that I like to go on holiday on my own and spend time with people I don’t know. This year I will be taking other trips with friends, however meeting new people and spending a week or so with strangers is what I love about the kind of travelling I do. I feel it’s really important to interact with people that you wouldn’t normally meet in your everyday life. It teaches you confidence both in yourself and your ability to connect with others and exposes you to different perspectives which helps you grow as a person. If you’ve never done anything like that before I really encourage you to try and step outside of your comfort zone.
There are a number of travel companies who offer this kind of solo travel, I’ve been with Exodus, Intrepid and G Adventures, and would recommend all of them. So get planning! and please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Elizabeth Mooney 