WADI RUM, Jordan -- Sitting in the back of a pickup truck roaring through the desert, I marveled at the expansiveness of Wadi Rum.
We were here on the second half of a jam-packed day on our G Adventures trip in Jordan. Earlier in the day, we had awoken before sunrise to make the hike into Petra to beat the heat.
Tours editor Brinley Hineman sits on a sand dune in Wadi Rum Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
After spending a couple of hours mesmerized by this Ancient Wonder of the World, our media cohort headed deeper into Jordan to visit the protected desert made famous by movies like "The Martian," "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Dune."
The Unesco World Heritage Site was seemingly endless, and the rust-colored sand really made me feel like I was somewhere other than Earth -- the probable reason why "The Martian" and the two Star Wars movies were filmed here. The heat bore down on us, but the air whipping by us as we zoomed through the sand kept us cool.
Clouds of sand bloomed behind us, coating us in the dust, but we were protected by our shemaghs (a traditional scarf one wears over their head and face) that our guide distributed to us before our experience.
The ride was bumpy to be sure, but exhilarating to speed through the red sand surrounded by mountains. The scenery was unlike anything I've experienced, especially from the vantage point of the top of a sand dune, where we could survey the valley below, taking in the sheer size of the place.
Our guide told us that tourism here has soared in recent years, thanks to the desert's appearance in film and viral videos. The result has led to luxury camps and glamping sites popping up around the area, giving guests access to the desert right outside their door.
We stayed in such a camp: Al Sultana Luxury Camp. Though the camp has trendy globe-style private accommodations, we stayed in something more akin to a nice cabin, which our guide said was more similar to what the local Bedouins live in.
Al Sultana Luxury Camp, an oasis in the desert. Photo Credit: Brinley Hineman
After our desert adventure, we dusted the sand off ourselves to get ready for what our guides said was a traditional Bedouin night filled with performances, traditional food and dancing. We dined on cushions on a sea of colorful woven rugs next to palm trees and statues of camels. In the middle of the desert, this place felt like a lush paradise.
In the evening, we danced, feasted and received henna designs on our hands from local women. Then our crew headed back to camp. I was exhausted but was stopped in my tracks as I glanced toward the sky while unlocking my tent door. Against the black night, hundreds of tiny stars twinkled down from a galaxy far, far away.