Photo. A man is
reading a magazine or
newspaper at the Dead Sea. It`s just like balancing in a hammock (swinging
bed). © Travel Explorations.
It was amazing to watch the man literally float on top of the water
and reading a magazine or newspaper without that it become wet!
I started my day early in the morning from the coast city Aqaba. It's also
possible to reach this unique place by a 55 kilometres drive from the capital
Amman. It takes approximately 1 hour by car.
This place is surrounded by a landscape
that wakes associations of being on another planet. Around its a
desert-land and dusty, light-brown mountains. On the
road I could see that a stone marker with the inscription "Sea Level", but the Dead Sea itself
is not reached before descending another 400 meters below this sign.
|
Photo. The mud man enjoying himself in a salty and and muddy
environment.
In accordance with the name, the sea is totally absence of life
due to an extremely high content of salts and minerals, but already
for 2000 years ago people became aware of that the these natural resources in
water could cure sickness and make people healthier.
See Isreal in the background on the other side of the sea.
© Travel Explorations. |
 |
The content in the sea is also used for providing the raw materials to the
renowned Jordanian Dead Sea Bath Salts and cosmetic products which are sold
world wide.
|
Photo.
The "Green man".
Healing my body with mud straight from the bottom below the water.
© Travel Explorations. |
 |
In addition to curing effects, another charming thing with painting bodies
with mud, is that when the sun shines, it illuminates the body so it change
colours. It turns from green to dark mud colour. I have heard about green men
from space. Perhaps this is the explaination behind the myths (just
kidding)?
The hot sun was burning me. Even how thirsty I become in the water there
is no way I can drink the salty water. It would even make me thirstier
and burn me up inside.
Don`t think you can swim because you can float
on the Dead Sea. It`s amazing that the moment I entered
the water, my body floated naturally to the surface. It was not possible
at all to dive in this water. Since I had some small wounds, I felt pain from the salt. Anyway I have a good time, and there was nothing
that could prevent me from enjoying the
bathing. Here I didn`t have to worry about crocodiles, sharks, Piraja fish, Stone Fish
or Yelly Fish.
On a clear blue day it`s
possible to see Isreal on the other side of
the sea. The distance is not so long, only 30-40 kilometers, but anyway I wouldn`t try to across the sea
here. It could be too hot for me! This is not a formal
entry way into the country. On the other side heavy armed military waits
for you, and you can not expect a friendly welcome - even
if you are floating with your passport in hand. So it`s much better
staying happy near the shore with a drink or a newspaper in your hands. Then you
also will be cured!
Stein Morten Lund, 20 August
2005
Additional information
I would like to thank my guide and friend Ali Hasanat from
Jordan Beauty Tours for good assistance with taken photos and filming with my
equipment.
Warning: due to several military check points on the road, make sure that you
have valid identification documentation or your passport with you.
The area near the Dead Sea it`s a also a Biblical site. Sodom and Gomorrah,
the site where Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt, is believed to have
been located close to the Dead Sea. Coming up article on Travel
Explorations.
Explore the Nabataen Empire on Travel Explorations. Read our
articles about the amazing wonders in Petra in Jordan. Read also about Bedouins,
Wadi Rum, UNESCO sites and more about Jordan.
We will also present tour operators from Jordan where travellers can book
there adventure tours.
The tour operator Jordan Beauty Tours made my tour
become a great adventure for life. Especially thanks to these persons: Joseph,
Ibrahim, Abdullah and Ali.
Contact information for our recommended tour operator in Jordan (who also
arrange tours to other countries in the Middle East):
Jordan Beauty
Tours
Tel. +962 795581644
Fax. +962 3 2154 999
E-mail: info@jordanbeauty.com
Website: www.jordanbeauty.com
Tourist St. Near
Movenpick Hotel
P.O.Box : 8
Petra 71810
JORDAN
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