Dead Sea - Bobbing Around like Corks

Just 90 minutes from Jerash, we reached our sea side destination. First things first, we sat down for a bite of lunch at a local buffet. I had an amazing dessert sort of like a rice pudding made of sugar, cream, apple and maybe dates?

So with an ever-so-flattering full belly, it was time to put on our bathing suits and head down to the beach. The day resort we used had two pools, changing areas and showers. Not too fancy, but nice to have. 

Down the steps to the sea!

Now, it’s called the Dead Sea but it is actually a lake. It’s also the border between Israel and Jordan. 

The salt content in the lake is about four times any other water. You can get about 340ml out of a litre of the water. There is a rim of salt at the edge of the lake and in the water. 

All that salt means super floaty fun times!

Look ma! No hands! No feet!!

Here’s me just floating upright. No kicking and my shoulders are way out. 

It was very hard to stay upright. You almost immediately flipped on your back without significant effort. Also, beware because the salt burns in any little wound. Or if you ignore your friends advice and the signs and wonder what happens when you stick your head under. Answer: some burning in your eyes if the salt gets in. More burning in your eyes when your sunscreen does... 

Next it was time to experience the therapeutic and healing powers of the Dead Sea mud. Now I couldn’t actually see where the mud came from. You paid at a little shack for mud in a bucket. Here’s hoping it was the real deal! We all slathered up from the bucket and were told to let it dry in the sun for 15 minutes before floating in the sea again to rinse. 

The mud bucket 

Mud train

This started to feel a little culturally inappropriate. However, we were told the mud was rejuvenating and getting your face was a must. 

Time for some goofing around while the mud did its thing. 

I may have missed a spot or two. 

Back in the water the trick was to scrub clean without getting salt or mud in your eyes. Unsurprisingly a challenge when you are bobbing around like a cork. 

Squeaky clean and oh so soft it was time to rinse and change before watching the sunset.