Petra Jordan Photos with Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Petra, the ancient city of stone-carved wonders in Jordan, is rightly hailed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. During my first visit in September 2015, I had the chance to explore this breathtaking archaeological site while capturing its beauty using the newly launched Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
This remarkable city dates back to around the 2nd Century BC and flourished until the 5th Century AD. Petra was once home to multiple great civilisations, including the Nabataeans, Romans, and Byzantines—each leaving behind a rich legacy of architecture and culture. The result is a stunning fusion of Assyrian, Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman styles, all etched into the rose-red cliffs of southern Jordan.
Despite common misconceptions, Jordan is one of the safest and most welcoming countries I’ve visited in the Middle East. The locals are warm and hospitable, the landscapes are diverse and awe-inspiring, and the food—especially the Jordanian biryani rice dishes—quickly became one of my favourites.
During my week-long journey, I explored several major attractions, including Petra, Basra, Amman, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea. If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend setting aside at least 5 to 7 days, as many destinations require 2–3 hours of overland travel, but every mile is well worth it.
In this article, I’ll be showcasing a series of photos from Petra, all taken using the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. The phone had just launched globally and in Malaysia in early September 2015, making this a perfect opportunity to test its camera capabilities in a truly epic setting.
All images were captured in standard mode, with no additional lenses or enhancements. I’ve included captions to provide context and help you better appreciate the incredible locations featured. Click on the images to view them in full size.
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| Just after you enter the main entrance, you will pass a few cave homes of the Bedouin people. |
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| Various massive rock-carved structures catch your eye as you head to the Gorge. |
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| Upon entering the Petra Gorge, you will follow it to the Treasury. |
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| Walking through the Gorge is a fascinating experience for just about anyone. |
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| Camels are used to taxi visitors for a small fee, usually JD$5. |
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| Beautifully carved structures on the Gorge walls. |
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| A couple of camels pose in front of the King’s Tombs here in Petra. |
If you have enjoyed these photos of Petra, I look forward to sharing more photo articles on Jordan, which I plan to publish in the coming weeks, highlighting the many other places I visited in Jordan. A huge thanks to the
Jordan Tourism Board for making this trip possible and accommodating the Southeast Asian team and me throughout the journey.
Our team agreed that this was, in fact, one of the most interesting, fun, and exciting FAM trips ever conducted to date. We hope that other tourism boards from different countries will follow suit in how they approach media or FAM trips.
I must say that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has lived up to its name, and using the latest smartphone by Samsung impressed me. As you can see from the photos above, they mean business when it comes to camera phones.
On a side note, for those viewing this using the latest smartphones or monitors, you will see the photos in high-resolution colours. In contrast, those using older smartphones or monitors will see them in standard resolution. Also, you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter under the name @MalaysiaAsia.
Conclusion
I think this inaugural trip is not enough to see Jordan entirely, and I look forward to returning someday, as there is much more to explore here. If you have any comments about the photos or general questions, please feel free to do so in the comment form below and check out my
Petra Jordan Photos with Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Part 2 story.