After leaving Petra we continue our journey to the Dead Sea. It’s about a 3 – 4 hour drive to our hotel situated on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea, which is preferred over the Israeli side because of the nicer beaches.

A few hours of driving through Bedouin countryside and we get our very first glimpse of the Dead Sea. Here are some interesting facts about the Dead Sea. First off, it’s the lowest point on Earth at – 1412 feet below sea level. It’s also hot. The water is some of the saltiest on earth, 10 times saltier than the ocean. You can’t actually swim in the water, you float due to its density. Nothing can live in the water, hence why they call it the Dead Sea.

As we approach the Dead Sea, our driver said he had something to show us. He asked me if I knew the story of Lot’s wife, and how upon fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah she was told not to look back or she would be turned into a pillar of salt. Then he pointed up to the cliffs and showed us several pillars said to be those who chose to look back. Very spooky.

For this leg of our journey I chose a hotel that will allow us to experience the Dead Sea in a private yet exclusive location. I chose the Kempinski Hotel, Ishtar. What a great choice! Stunning views and a private beach, I couldn’t ask for more. After checking into our suite I realized I still had time to do a mud bath and float in the Dead Sea, more major things on my huge bucket list. So off we went.

Serina decided she was going to do her floating in the morning but I can’t wait, so I made the walk down to the beach area and waded into the water. First thing that I realized is that you really can’t swim, you just float. The hardest part is trying to stand up, its nearly impossible. So I paddled my way around for about 15 minutes and then I made my way back to the shore where Eric the assistant was waiting for me with a bowl of black mud.

He started slapping it all over my body including my face. He said I needed to sit in the sun for 10 minutes and then go wash it off in the sea. Easier said than done. I did what he said but the stuff sticks to you like glue. Also, it stings a bit, especially on my face. Genius me decided to dunk my face in t he water. Bad move. Then I rubbed my eyes – bigger mistake. I was blind for a few minutes. I finally made my way up to the showers where they proceeded to hose me down like a Subaru. Next on the list, a salt rubdown. Ouch. Now I’m ready for another rinse.

People travel to the Dead Sea from all over the world to do this treatment every day. It’s supposedly very healthy and therapeutic. We shall see. I do know that I worked up an appetite so we wandered up to one of the many restaurants to get me something to eat. I barely ate anything for breakfast so I was in the mood for a burger. Sure enough, they had an Angus burger. It was huge! We nicknamed it the camel burger. Actually it was pretty good. Serina went with the grilled octopus. Good choice.

We were so full from lunch we decided to skip dinner. Instead we had a couple drinks in our room and watched the beautiful sunset. Tomorrow afternoon we will make our way to Israel and Jerusalem.