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maitre2pitza
maitre2pitza
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4 out of 5
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A Healthy Invigorating Experience

  • September 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by garymarsh6 from Gravesend, United Kingdom
A Healthy Invigorating Experience

The Dead Sea.

The Dead sea is an inland sea surrounded by Israel and Jordan fed by waters from the river Jordon.

Some facts about sea.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth,1385 feet below sea level.
It's 11 miles wide and 67 miles long.
The density of the salt is 37%.
Maximum rainfall is only 4 inches a year.
The water level has dropped by 874 Feet.
You can float even if you can not swim due to the high salt content.
The high mineral content of the mud are used for spa and health treatments.
The Dead Sea is so low that you can not get sunburnt here but you will tan as all the UV rays are mainly blocked out.

The water level is getting lower due water being taken from the River Jordan for agriculture and human consumption and also due to evaporation and the salt content is increasing. Currently it is impossible for any form of life to live in the salty waters except small organisms and bacteria.

The Journey took approximately 3 hours through the dessert with armed road blocks every few miles. The dessert was very flat but there was always something to look at on the journey like spectacular mountain scenery in the distance and on the other side of the border Israel. There were a number of Nomads living in tent type encampments. We passed a couple of farmsteads with sheep and there were a number of farms growing tomatoes and fruits and set up little stalls.

We visited the Dead Sea museum high in the mountains we were the only ones to visit it. We were offered a drink of hibiscus tea and looked around the museum which displayed various finds from the area and an exhibition of wild life and flowers. There were semi precious stones and various fossils dating back thousands of years. The exhibition is new with interactive areas and a large scale model of the area.

Leaving the museum you walk to the viewing point. The views are magnificent from so high up in the mountains and you can see right across the Dead Sea into neighbouring Israel. There is a map indicating the whereabouts of different cities in Jordan and the general direction of cities in Israel.

We then boarded to coach to take us to the hotel which was the Mövenpick resort spa hotel right beside the Dead Sea where we were to have lunch prior to going onto the beach area. Most visitors to the Dead Sea come to one of the large hotels where you can make full use the facilities in comfortable surroundings.


The restaurant was open aired but covered to protect you from the heat. There was a set menu of either a Greek Salad or a chicken sandwich. Think fresh nicely cut bread would just be sufficient to ward of hunger. WRONG… This was a full blown slap up meal. I was knocked over when they brought the so called sandwich to the table and told the waiter no sorry we did not order this we ordered just the chicken sandwich and a drink. He laughed and said but this is OUR Jordanian chicken sandwich. On the over sized plate there was about half a pound of cooked and shredded chicken chips and salad on top of very flat bread that resembled something like a pancake but of a bread consistency. This was accompanied by a massive salad. I was actually looking forward to a simple sandwich.

After lunch we went to the changing rooms to change into our swimming gear and walked down to the beach through the beautiful grounds of the hotel. The Mövenpick is set out like a little village with rooms built in the local style and decorated with local furnishings giving you an impression that it is a proper Jordanian village. There are little squares and fountains and the gardens are well landscaped. We passed a massive swimming pool that was surrounded by sun beds.

Approaching the beach area there was a bit of a breeze and looking at the Dead Sea it was quite choppy. The Red Flags were flying and no one was allowed to go into the sea. We went to the shore and wet ourselves and covered ourselves in mud from the urns filled up regularly by the hotel staff. We then sat in the sun allowing the mud to dry. The mud is a very dark brown colour and smell of the mud is very salty and almost like sulphur.

After half an hour they lowered the red flag and a yellow one shot up. The life guards entered the water. We went down to the water and went in. It was a little fresh bearing in mind it was still March but it was ok once you got in. The sea bed was very rocky and you have to wear shoes to enter the water as you could cut your feet. You are advised not to have shaved for at least for 24 hours before going into the sea and if you have any cuts or grazes you should avoid going into the water. You are also advised to avoid getting the water in your eyes or in your mouth. Believe me a small splash of water in your mouth and you can still taste the salt half an hour later it is very strong. Some people had grazes they were not even aware of and it stung like hell apparently.

It is very true that you can float in the water so much so that it is effortless. It is difficult to actually swim due to the viscosity of the water but not impossible. Floating in the Dead Sea was a wonderful experience. Sadly it was too choppy to take a copy of the paper in for a photograph opportunity. So I lay on my back happily floating with feet and arms up in the air without a care in the world. It was very relaxing.


Time to get out….now this is where the problem began. I had been in the water for about 20 minutes and decided to get out of the water. Problems. I could not lower my feet, No matter how much I tried they just would not go down and I was unable to stand up. It got to the point that I was beginning to get a bit concerned but not showing any outward signs. The life guards are obviously very well trained and can recognise when someone is in difficulty and they acted very swiftly. Before I knew it they were at my side asking if I was ok. I said yes fine thank you. I felt very stupid and without asking they each got hold of me under the arms and yanked me flying up into the air and then lowered me to a standing position. I was extremely grateful and a bit embarrassed but then realised they must see this sort of thing every day. It was very difficult trying to walk to the shore because of the waves coming in and also every time you lifted your foot off the sea bed it wanted to float.

I eventually got out and showered under the water then covered myself in mud again and sat in the sun drying out. We sat there for about half an hour caked in the dried out mud which was beginning to flake off at every movement. We then entered the sea again on the little jetty sitting down on the edge allowing the waves to come and rinse the mud back off we showered again and sat in the sun for an hour or so.

Our trip back to Aqaba was quite eventful we were due to arrive back at 7PM but about half an hour before arriving back in Jordan we were in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden the bus shuddered and careered off to the side of the road with a flat tyre. The driver was very adept at bringing the bus to a safe stop albeit rather swift. We got out of the mini bus and already it was incredibly cold. As soon as the sun sets the temperatures plummet. It was pitch black in the dessert there were no lights apart from the illumination of the skies in the far distance of Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh.

We waited for about an hour for the replacement bus in the meantime made use of our time by chatting to the other passengers, driver and tour guide we handed around sweets and whatever each of us had in our bags. In turn the driver shared with us some wonderful seeds and dried fruit. We had a great time waiting for the bus to come chatting about all the fun we had had on our travels.

I would highly recommend a trip to the Dead Sea.

From journal Wonderful Jordan

Dead Sea

  • February 25, 2001
  • Rated 3 of 5 by maitre2pitza from West Chester, Pennsylvania
The cab ride from Amman was interesting. There was an extreme difference in temperature. In Amman it was sunny and about 55 degrees F. As we descended toward the Dead Sea I felt like I was traveling from Pennsylvania to Florida. The temperature and humidity increased as we lost altitude. The cab driver explained that the warmer temperatures supported the agricultural activities, which were prevalent. I was surprised to see several camels along the road. Off in the distance I could see the Jordan River and beyond smoke rising from the city of Jerico. At the Dead Sea there was a beach type resort where they had facilities for changing into a bathing suit and for showering afterwards. It’s true, you can lay on your back in the water and read the newspaper.

From journal Amazing Amman

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