Last Updated on December 5, 2019 by asoulwindow
Dead Sea was towards the end of our 7 days journey in Jordan. As soon as I entered the Dead Sea, I ran out screaming, unable to open my eyes. My co-travelers, between guffaws and friendly teasing guided me towards an open air shower next to the beach. Before I could reach that, I needed water.
I needed water without even a gram of salt in it. My friend Stuti came to rescue and helped me wash my face with drinking water. Just to make sure, I still stood under the shower and rinsed of every bit of Dead Sea water from my face.
My friends told me that in Dead Sea, you are not supposed to take a dip or submerge your head. The water is so saline that it causes burning sensations on skin; eyes and nose being the most vulnerable. Once bitten, twice shy, I entered the sea again this time with head held high (No pun intended here). The water was way too salty, dense and sticky. It felt heavy.
I tasted a small amount only to be overwhelmed by its strong taste. As I gingerly lied down on my back in Dead Sea, I was amused to ‘discover’ that the ‘floating story’ is not someone’s fabricated story. I floated effortlessly, keeping my eyes open at all times, lest I drift deep into the Dead Sea like a tragic poem.
The sun had started to melt far in the horizon as I floated eerily on the water, pebbles visible on my sides. It was a surreal moment. It was an unprecedented experience for me and easily one of my finest moments from not only Jordan but all my travels so far.
I almost did not make it to the Dead Sea. After a comforting lunch of Pasta and Pizzas (mezzes are great, but I needed my comfort food) at the resort, we were instructed to check in our room and show up at the private beach of the resort before sundown when the beach closes. Tired, I decided to lie down in my comfortable room.
I didn’t realize when I caught a sound sleep. God alone knows what woke me up after few hours and the first thing I did was check the time. Panicking, I ran towards the beach, not even bothering to carry any swimwear or towel. I jumped hurriedly in the sea with my shirts and pants on.
When I emerged from the Dead Sea, it was already dark. As I passed the café of the hotel, someone announced a Belly Dance Performance. Scared that I might miss the show, I watched the entire show wearing my salty wet clothes.
When the show ended, my clothes dried naturally by the warm Dead Sea air. The Belly Dance I saw was the best I had seen till date. The presence of Dead Sea made it even more atmospheric.
10 COOL FACTS ABOUT THE DEAD SEA
- It is world’s lowest point at 430 meters (1412 feet) below sea level.
- 33.7 % salinity makes it the world’s saltiest sea.
- It is called Dead Sea because no flora or fauna can survive.
- Asphalt for preserving Egyptian mummies was sourced from here.
- It served as the first health resort of the world.
- Potash sourced from Dead Sea is used for fertilizers.
- Thanks to its rich mineral content, many new age resorts have mushroomed across the Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel. They offer natural spa treatments. Dead Sea cosmetics made from its salt and minerals are quite popular and are available everywhere in Jordan.
- Swimming is not possible in Dead Sea due to heavy density of its water.
- It is 9 times saltier than the ocean.
- If you walk around the beach, you will see salt deposits on rock. The drive next to Dead Sea is scenic.
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Pictures above: Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, Dead Sea, Jordan
I stayed at:
Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa: It was my most luxurious experience in Jordan. My cozy room overlooked the sea. The bathtub helped me rinse off all the salt on my body post a dip in Dead Sea. Their restaurant serves good Italian. What I enjoyed was their buffet of a vast variety of mezze and Arabic sweets. Some so sinfully good that I was almost having a dessert dinner. They have a private secluded beach. They have many pools in the premises. A live belly dance performance combined with above factors made my stay memorable. My favourite part was of course the balcony of the room where I would sit and smoke in night, listening to music played far away.
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NOTE: I was invited by Jordan Tourism Board to Jordan on a Press Trip
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Thanks for this post. That sounds terrible about your eyes. I read another post about not getting the water in your eyes. They outlined some do’s, don’ts and tips. After reading your post I can see how an orientation would be good. The belly dancing sounds good too! One day I’ll go there to experience these things myself.
Cheers,
Jack
Nice article A..Well done.
I also started laughing after reading ur small tragedy. Lol…
The salinity of this sea is 96% tht is wht I heard in geography in school times. Might u hv got exited to float in it n forgot abt further consequences tht wud occur, but u shud aware of it n take precautions of such actions…
OMG! It certainly looks scary! I can’t understand how you could enjoy and clicked photos over there! Haha! after knowing the fact from your article that “It is called Dead Sea because no flora or fauna can survive” I lost my mind and thought of never putting my feet into that water! 😀
OH my this sounds like an intense situation! Glad you were okay in the end and can say you’ve been to the Dead Sea!
I’d read about dead sea as a child and thought it is some fantasy land. Much later I saw it one TV and realized that it is a real thing. You seemed to have lived a few dream come true moments in Jordan.
I knew exactly what you’d done when I read the title! I hope it didn’t sting for too long! I recently went to the Dead Sea but luckily I was told not to get my face anywhere near the water otherwise I would probably have done what you did. Glad you got to relax there in the end though!
The heading to the article is hilarious. And your experience made me burst into giggles. All the information provided about the Dead Sea is great. Loved reading it. Will make sure not to jump headlong into the Dead Sea when I get there.
I never knew this fact about the dead sea.That it causes an irritation to the skin. Thanks to your post. Now I will be better equipped when I visit here. Else, I would have had exactly the same reaction like you did
The Dead Sea has always been fascinating for me from the time I’d read about it back in moddle school. Got to know so many interesting facts and am thrilled to know that the thing about the salt content there is for real. I mean it mustdut have been real, but like you I never realised it was that high! Hope to visit Jordan soon-ish!
You’ve written this so well and further elaborated it with beautiful pictures! I am sure the experience must have been unlike any other.
That is new to me that the salt water of dead sea can cause burning sensation. Hopefully I get to experience this soon. Floating without knowing how to swim must be great.
I would love to float myself in the Dead Sea. I have known since I was little that it is the saltiest sea in the world where you can’t dive, you jut float. It’s weird that I know the feeling already because I did some floating therapy for my back problems in an enclosed tank. It was such a great feeling to float and the salt in the tank was brought from the Dead sea, 7 tonnes in total.
Wow, sounds painful! Thanks for sharing. I really didn’t know much about the Dead Sea. Happy travels 🙂
Catchy title. I wanted to read what made you scream that way. I enjoyed reading it till the end and you have amazing captures. I wanna plan the trip soon to have that floating experience for sure.
Haha…I went in knowing it will sting the eyes, still ended up getting water in them! I guess I forgot in all the excitement 🙂 And that belly dancing after that looks enigmatic…
I just read another post about the sea stinging them. It had never occurred to before I read that. And now, I’m reading yours. Sounds like it really bothered you. I think it would probably really bother me too, as I’m not fond of having ocean salt on my skin, so I can’t imagine what the Dead Sea would feel like. If I’m that way I’ll keep the Mariott in mind as I do like that hotel chain.
Thank you for spelling this out! Not enough people write about how much the Dead Sea stings, all they focus on is the amazing floating feeling, and while it is indeed great, I just wish I’d know about how much it stings the eye. (Needless to say, I ran out of the water to wash my eyes too, when I visited)
Yikes! What a grim and frightening introduction to one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. Glad you gave it another go after that. It’s certainly a place that is on many of our bucket lists 🙂
You have articulated about the dead sea in a very interesting way, sharing about the details. It is lovely to know about the facts which you have also mentioned..A lovely read😊
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The blog caught my interest the moment I read ‘Why I ran out screaming as I entered.’
Thanks for sharing these super interesting facts about the Dead Sea.
Welcome. Now you know what not to do in Dead Sea. Haha