Crossing Wadi Rum｜Desert Graffiti and Sunset Wonders

In Wadi Rum, Jordan, you will feel as if you are on Mars with its unique terrain and breathtaking starry sky. Here, there is a hint of rose red that is more than the Sahara and Chile's Atacama Desert. The steep rocky peaks and brilliant starry sky make it the most unmissable destination in Jordan besides the ancient city of Petra. We chose to stay at Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp, where the facilities are quite good for Wadi Rum, with large tents offering air conditioning and even a bathing area. Although our tent did not have air conditioning, we were out exploring during the day, and the desert climate was cool and pleasant at night. They also offer star rooms, which need to be booked in advance. The food is quite good, with rice and fruit included. The accommodation price is about 200-300 dollars. We rented a car directly from the ancient city of Petra to Wadi Rum, where the hotel staff greeted us and offered full-day and half-day tour options. The itinerary includes major attractions such as mushroom-shaped rocks, large arches, and small arches. Climbing up and down is required, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. There is also a rock crevice for hiking, but I chose not to enter due to its damp and dark conditions. The locals drew graffiti on my hand, saying that this desert has a tenacious vitality. We tasted locally brewed tea and freshly baked bread, chatting about carefree topics. Although the weather was hot during the day, it did not feel unbearable. You must not miss the sunset in Wadi Rum. We climbed up high sand dunes with great effort, standing on the top of the rocks overlooking the entire desert. The distant sunset gradually sank, and the shadow of the rocky mountains slowly covered this barren land. There were also Bedouins playing a flute with a faint melancholy sound, evoking ancient memories. When descending the dunes, you can try sliding down with the help of gravity, which is an exhilarating experience. The most beautiful night in Wadi Rum, the dry climate makes the starry sky particularly bright. Looking up at the Milky Way outside the tent, you inadvertently catch a meteor, counting meteors until you fall asleep, as if you were in outer space. After having an open-air breakfast in the desert the next day, we tried sandboarding on the dunes, which was very challenging but great fun. The local guy patiently helped me carry the board to the top of the hill and slide down again. Jordan is among the top three of the more than 50 countries I have visited. Although there are some tourist traps, the natural and cultural landscapes are rich and unique. This small country can be easily toured by car. To this day, I still miss and marvel at the sunset and starry sky of Wadi Rum. The world was once so beautiful and will always be beautiful.