Wadi Rum in Jordan - exploring the cave and area around where Lawrence of Arabia hidded

2005-08-21

The myths about the British adventurer Lawrence of Arabia are many. The truth was not just like the story in the movie about him where the actor Peter O'Tool appeared.

To find more about him and what happened in Wadi Rum, I went far out in the red sand area. It was a real desert revelation. Lawrence of Arabia stayed in this area before the famous trekking through the desert, attack and conquering in Aqaba.

I experienced the sound of silence by sitting on top of one of the sky-high sand dunes, which was beautifully set against the eroded rocks.

I passed the seven pillars of wisdom, described so vividly by Lawrence of Arabia. I was touring deep into a moonlandscape. It was a astonishing and timeless place with massive shaped mountains rise out of the rose-red desert sand. The most unique shapes were the rock bridges. In the evening I could admire the beautiful sunset. I also studied a inscriptions written by the Thamudic and Nabatean people from ancient time. But the most interesting thing for me was finding the cave where Lawrence of Arabia hidded, and take a look inside .......

First and foremost Wadi Rum is a great natural wonder. It was famously described by T. E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like". Here is plenty of hiding places.

The Bedouins are the traditional inhabitants. Many places here has a relic of the past: Thamudic, Safaitic, Nabataean, Greek and Arabic graffiti litter the cliff faces. It`s splendid rock art, some with hunting scenes. Near Jebel Rum, there is even an ancient Nabataean temple.

Some sheer granite and sandstone cliffs rise 1,750 meters up. For they who like challences for climbing this area could be just perfect. It`s also possible to take a camel ride or a night under the stars in a Bedouin tent.

Photo. One of the rock brigdes - an amazing natural shaped formation in Wadi Rum.

What was inside Lawrence of Arabia`s cave? How did he live?

.....TE Lawrence and the Arab Revolt ........... Coming up more soon!

Stein Morten Lund, 21 August 2005

Additional information
Explore the Nabataen Empire on Travel Explorations. Read our articles about the amazing wonders in Petra in Jordan. Read also about Bedouins, UNESCO sites and more about Jordan.

We will also present tour operators from Jordan where travellers can book there adventure tours.

The tour operator Jordan Beauty Tours made my tour become a great adventure for life. Especially thanks to these persons: Joseph, Ibrahim, Abdullah and Ali.

Contact information for our recommended tour operator in Jordan (who also arrange tours to other countries in the Middle East):
Jordan Beauty Tours
Tel. +962 795581644
Fax. +962 3 2154 999
E-mail: info@jordanbeauty.com
Website: www.jordanbeauty.com
Tourist St. Near Movenpick Hotel
P.O.Box : 8
Petra 71810
JORDAN