Is it Aruba? Is it the Bahamas? No, it’s the Dead Sea! Despite its not so lively and not so exotic name, we found the Dead Sea a very lovely and rejuvenating place to be. It was a perfect place to revive our tired spirits and sore muscles after our active exploration of Petra, Wadi Rum and otther places in Jordan.
Bordering Jordan to the east and Israel to the west, the Dead Sea has attracted visitors since the Biblical times for its therapeutic effects and has been considered the world’s first health resort.
Situated at 400 meters (1,312 feet) below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It is also the saltiest body water in the world. The Dead Sea water contains about 350 grams of salt compared to about 40 grams per kilogram of water in the ocean.
Dead Sea is fed by the Jordan River. Having no outlet and coupled with high temperature results to high salt and mineral content.
Keith floating effortlessly on the Dead Sea. Due to high salt content, the water is very dense and you cannot sink in it no matter how hard you try.
Entering the clear but pebbly water of the Dead Sea. I was able to walk in the water up to almost waist high and I then started to float.
The water felt nice and silky on the skin. But be warned, you will be aware of a very small cut in your skin that you didn’t know you have as soon as you dip in the water. It will sting!
Fellow travelers enjoying their buoyancy on the Dead Sea.
Since the time of Herod the Great, the rich minerals of the Dead Sea has been used in treating various skin disorders. Today, the minerals are used as main ingredients in skin care products. I covered myself with Dead Sea mud for about 15 minutes and my skin felt smoother!
Up to this day, the locals frequent the Dead Sea. This is a lovely local lady we met who traveled from Amman to the Dead Sea to soak in its healing qualities
For those who would like to relax but do not like the idea of dipping into salty water or be covered with mud, most Dead Sea resorts offer old fashion pools.
The Dead Sea is called such because no living organisms can exist in its salty water. However, rich minerals thrive in it. The white parts that outline the edge of the water are the mineral formation
Unfortunately, the increased usage of water by both Jordan and Israell from the Jordan River has significantly reduced the water flow into the Dead Sea. Its water has been evaporating faster than it can replenish.
It is said that the water level dropped by 17m/56 ft since the 1930’s and the overall area has shrunk by one-third. To halt the state of decline, Jordan and Israel are planning to buildi a canal from the Red Sea to bring more water flow into the Dead Sea. Let’s hope that they can save the Dead Sea from dying.
The mountains surrounding the Dead Sea.
The area around the Dead Sea is also dotted with rejuvinating hot springs. We visited this hot spring in Ma’in which is said to be frequented by Herod the Great.
Enjoying the Dead Sea sunset with refreshing cocktail at the resort is a perfect way to end the day.
i feel revived just reading this post! i used to live in slc, i know all about salt water, it does leave you a mess after dunking, especially when i grew up in the crystal clear waters of tahoe. there was brine in the great slc back in my youth, they would wiggle in your toes
such an exotic trip. i adore the woman smiling full on mud shot, she looks so happy. i am having waterfall envy, gorgoeus shots…
a quiet life recently posted..the secrets of pistoulet *****
So pleased that you felt revived! That local woman was so happy indeed to be in the Dead Sea. It’s a special treat even for them to be there. Thanks for the visit.
I hope they manage to save the Dead Sea
Love the road through the mountains surrounding the Sea. It would seem odd to be in a Sea that had no living creatures in it. At least you would not have to worry about any fish nibbling on your toes.
budget jan recently posted..Tuesday in Townsville: Boating and Clouds
Hi Jan, We’re also really hoping that the canal project will help save the Dead Sea from dying. Yes, it was weird for a sea not to have a fish but you’re right it was one less worrty:)
I visited the Dead Sea a few years ago. Had a bath, so nice and … salty :):). I remember there was a huge shop nearby with some cosmetics made of the mood and sand, great for your skin.
Agness recently posted..Travelling the World under $25 a Day in style! How? Housesitting!
Hi Agness, wasn’t it so much fun. We really did enjoy the experience. I bought some of those skin care and yes, the work great.
How sad that the water levels are decreasing so rapidly. It looks a wonderful place for a holiday especially after all the sightseeing. Let’s hope they do not leave it too late before solving the water level problem.
It truly is a wonderful place to relax and we also hope that the cana l project will solve the water level problem.
Wow! Amazing! That’s definitely something I would love to see in person.
Hey Dana, it was amazing indeed. I hope you get to go there soon.
I bet it feels nice to relax after a tiresome (but an amazing) Petra exploration journey. Hot springs and then some cocktail by sun down sounds so relaxing.
Salika Jay recently posted..Washington DC: Make The Most of Your Visit
Hi Salika, it did feel great! It was really a fun and perfect place to relax after all the exploration.
This is the perfect place to rejuvenate. Even the water helps out – all you had to do was just relax.
I’m surprised there were so many pebbles — I didn’t expect them or that they’d be that color. I also never how the saltiness would affect nicks on the skin. Thanks for that reminder. I’ve not been but a friend of mine brought us back sea salt and mud masks once. Pretty cool place, eh?
Marcia recently posted..The Breadfruit, Bligh’s Gift to Jamaica and the Mutiny it Caused
Hi Marcia, being able to float without any effort was really fun and relaxing. I was also suprised that the water was pebbly. It truly is a cool place!
I had no idea there were hot springs near the Dead Sea. I really like the waterfall at the one you went to . I’d love to float in the Dead Sea one day. I was helping my teen practice for his swim test for summer camp, and he has absolutely Zero buoyancy and kept sinking like a rock in the pool whenever he tried floating on his back. He’d love the Dead Sea.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted..The Géode as Big as the Ritz
Ha! Ha! You have to bring your son to the Dead Sea, Michelle! He’ll definitely love it! All the kids we met during the trip said that the Dead Sea was their favorite part of the trip. I hope your family get to go sometime soon.
I have seen a lot of pictures of people floating on the Dead Sea, but I’d just seen now that there are resorts out there too! How crazy hehe Jordan’s still on my bucket list; there are too many of them! haha
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..How to Travel Cheaply in Batanes
Hi Aleah,
Oh yes, there are a lot of nice resorts that lined the shore of the Dead Sea. In fact, most visitors, local and foreign alike, access the sea through resort areas. It has been a resort area since the biblical times. I hope you get to cross off Jordan from your list soon!
Lovely “travelogue”!!! Thanks for the introduction to Jordan!!!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy the visit.
Beautiful photos
Muza-chan recently posted..Unusual Japanese vending machines, Fortune telling dispenser
Thanks Muza-chan!
I was interested to read about the hot springs here. Unfortunately we missed seeing them. I was not as enamoured as most with the Dead Sea…my skin reacted to the salt and minerals and I was itchy for days! I probably should have gone stright back in and let the minerals do their work!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Mostar’s Old Bridge
I have always wanted to visit the Dead Sea – mostly because I’m a very weak swimmer and the idea of floating effortlessly appeals to me! I had no idea that there were resorts in the area – looks a lovely place to visit. Hopefully the government involvement will help to save such a unique place!
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..Blue Mountain Resort: The Perfect Family Getaway
I always expected the Dead Sea to look .. well dead. I guess that shows the power of naming. It looks beautiful, despite the high salt content!
Amy Moore recently posted..Where the Plants Look Like People – Mosaicultures Internationales at the Montreal Botanical Gardens
Ha! Ha! I know it’s such a tricky name. It was really beautiful and the high salt content makes it truly interesting.
That looks like a fabulous way to unwind – and I can’t tell you how much I would like to be doing that tonight as I just finished a solo 3 day backpack and my whole body hurts.
I do hope they are able to get the water levels up again – otherwise you wonder what the lifetime will be of the lake.
I have so enjoyed your Jordan posts and really hope I make it there one day.
Leigh recently posted..A Phenomenal Kayaking Trip near Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Oh my God, I can’t wait to hear about your SOLO 3-day backpacking!!! Hope you muscles and joints recover soon!
simply beautiful shots…lovely reading about the place!
Thanks Kalyan!
What a fantastic way to rest and rejuvenate after your travels! And I love the option of the pool version, too!
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..Strolling The Sculptures Of Midtown Manhattan
Hi Jess, it truly was relaxing after all the crazy travels. Yes, it’s great to have that option:)
I loved the Dead Sea too. The people were lovely, and it’s really quite incredible with all those salt formations. Unfortunately my computer got stolen (in France, not Jordan) before I could post about it myself. We also loved Ma’in – one of the cheapest Six Senses hotels in the world I think, and they had an amazing organic garden, and even grew wine grapes there. Must be the only wine grapes to be growing below sea level.
Love your first hat-shot!
Sarah Walton recently posted..Ramadan and Iftar – what it means for the food traveller.
Hi Sarah, sorry to hear about your computer. Such a bummer. But I’m glad you loved Dead Sea as well. Oh, we missed those wine grapes. Interesting to know that they would grow below sea level.