The Packing Nightmare Begins
Right, so planning this trip with two kids under ten? Total chaos. Started weeks ago, stressing about what to cram into suitcases. Jordan has desert heat and chilly nights, so you gotta pack for everything. Ended up stuffing four massive suitcases plus carry-ons like we were moving house. Forgot the kids’ favourite stuffed bunny the first time. Crisis averted only because I tripped over it dragging the cases out. Packed like a lunatic:
- Enough snacks to feed a small army (goldfish crackers are life)
- Dozens of little plastic toys to distract during long drives
- Factor 50 suncream – the desert sun doesn’t mess around
- Way too many wet wipes. Seriously, never enough.
Touchdown in Amman & The Lost Bag Fiasco
Flew via Istanbul. Kids were… well, kids. Let’s just say the lady in front wasn’t thrilled about the constant seat-kicking. Landed in Amman Queen Alia airport feeling like zombies. Go to collect luggage. Three out of four bags turn up. Of course it’s the bag with ALL the kid meds and half the snacks that vanishes. Spent an hour arguing with baggage services, kids whining they were hungry and needed the loo. Welcome to Jordan! Got a promise the bag would be delivered next day to the hotel. Spoiler: it took two.
Dead Sea Float Fail (Sort Of)
Drove down to the Dead Sea next morning. Kids were hyped about floating. Got to the public beach access – super muddy entry point. Slathered everyone in that famous black mud. Looked ridiculous, smelled weird, kids loved it. Now, trying to get them to float gently? Forget it. They splashed like crazy maniacs. Salt water in the eyes, hysterical screaming. Major parenting fail number one. Had to bribe them with chips just to calm down. They did think floating was cool eventually… once the stinging stopped.
Petra: Donkeys & Little Indiana Joneses
Petra was the big one. Woke up stupid early, dragged sleepy kids to the entrance. Hired a horse-drawn carriage for the Siq bit because walking all the way? No chance with little legs. The carriage guy tried to charge triple halfway through. Classic tourist haggle moment. The Treasury popping into view? Magic. Kids stopped moaning instantly. Became obsessed with being Indiana Jones. Then they saw the donkeys. Wanted to ride EVERYWHERE. So we paid a guy, watched them bounce precariously up towards the Monastery trail while I prayed they wouldn’t fall off. Stopped constantly:
- “Look! A cave!”
- “Can we have ice cream?” (In the middle of the desert, naturally)
- Endless moaning about sandy feet inside their trainers
Worth every single whine. Seeing that place through their wide eyes? Unreal.
Wadi Rum: Dust, Camels & Sleeping Like Bedouins
Drove into Wadi Rum. Felt like landing on Mars. Dust got EVERYWHERE. Booked a desert camp for the night. Kids lost their minds seeing the massive red dunes. Took a jeep tour – driver was bonkers, felt like a rollercoaster on sand dunes. Kids screamed, laughed, then screamed again going downhill. Then came the camels. Tiny kids trying to ride these giant, grumpy animals? Hilarious and slightly terrifying. They kept trying to steer them like ponies. Failed miserably. Slept in a basic tent under a billion stars. Zero phone signal. Kids complained for five minutes then crashed, exhausted by the desert air. Absolute highlight. Ate way too much hummus.
Back to Reality & The Broken Stroller
Final stretch in Amman. Explored the Citadel. Kids mostly interested in running circles around ancient pillars. Tried showing them the Roman Theatre. Attention span: gone. Dragged them through the markets – big mistake. Too many people, too much noise, the pestering for trinkets began. Wheel broke on the stroller halfway back to the hotel (sand in the bearings, probably). Had to carry the youngest, dragging the busted stroller like a death march. Last night dinner involved pizza delivery to the hotel room. Zero energy left.
Flying home? Survived. Luggage made it this time. Kids slept most of the way. Would I do it again? Ask me when the jetlag wears off. Seeing their faces petting camels? Worth all the sand, all the bribery snacks, all the broken strollers. Jordan with kids? Madness. Amazing madness. Just pack extra snacks and more wet wipes.
