Float Weightlessly in the Dead Sea
Why travel to space to experience the sensation of floating weightless when you can take a dip in the Dead Sea instead? The salt concentration of the Dead Sea is unusually high giving it natural buoyancy that allows swimmers to float effortlessly. In this respect the Dead Sea is similar to the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Bordering on both Jordan and Israel, completely different experiences can be had on each side. Being a backpacker, I prefer the Jordan side which is less developed and offers visitors a glimpse of the sea’s natural beauty on a backpacker’s budget.
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Getting its name from the high salinity which creates too harsh of an environment for animals and sea creatures to survive, the Dead Sea is the world’s saltiest body of water next to Lake Assal in Djibouti, Garabogazkol in Turkmenistan and some hypersaline lakes in the Antarctic.
At 422 meters below sea level, its shores have the honour of being the lowest dry land point on Earth. The low content of pollens and other allergens combined with the mineral content of the water helps people suffering from diseases such as cystic fibrosis and psoriasis. Attracting visitors from around the Mediterranean basin for thousands of years, this salty sea was once a place of refuge for the Biblical King David. It was also one of the world's first health resorts with guest such as Herod the Great, and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products, from balms for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers. Unfortunately due to drought and water shortages, the Dead Sea is slowly drying up as water from the Jordan River continues to be diverted for irrigation purposes. It has been dropping at an alarming rate of 3 feet per year. Thankfully Jordan, Israel and Palestine have been working together to find a solution so that this treasure may be enjoyed by future generations. |
Amman Beach, Dead Sea
Dead Sea Sunset
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Mud People at the Dead Sea
Road to Dead Sea
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Teresa the Traveler in Dead Sea
Amman Beach Dead Sea
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Two men floating in Dead Sea
Dead Sea Mud
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The few hotels in the area are of the 4-5 star variety and do not cater to the budget traveler. However, the near-by town of Madaba, famous for its large Byzantine-era mosaic map of The Holy Land, has great affordable accommodations where you can rent a car or hire a cab to take you to the sea.
A great place to go for a dip is the Amman Beach Tourism Resort – a public beach with change rooms, a swimming pool and restaurants as well as a few shops offering Dead Sea products. And in order to get the full experience, be sure to indulge in a Dead Sea mud bath. After getting covered in mud you then soak in the sun for 20 minutes then wash it off for silky smooth skin. The feeling of floating weightlessly in water is surreal. You will never felt more alive than you will at the Dead Sea.
A great place to go for a dip is the Amman Beach Tourism Resort – a public beach with change rooms, a swimming pool and restaurants as well as a few shops offering Dead Sea products. And in order to get the full experience, be sure to indulge in a Dead Sea mud bath. After getting covered in mud you then soak in the sun for 20 minutes then wash it off for silky smooth skin. The feeling of floating weightlessly in water is surreal. You will never felt more alive than you will at the Dead Sea.
Dead Sea Facts
1. The Dead Sea is not a sea; it is actually a land locked lake.
2. The Dead Sea is located between Jordan and Israel in the Syro-African rift a 4000 mile fault line.
3. As water cannot flow out, over 7 million tons of water evaporates per day from the Dead Sea.
4. The name 'Dead Sea' is actually a kinder, gentler translation from the Hebrew name 'Yam ha Maved', which means, 'Killer Sea'.
5. The salt levels of the Dead Sea increase with depth. Down to about 130 feet (40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram
of seawater. That's about ten times the salinity of the oceans. Below 300 feet, though, the sea has 332 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater and is
saturated. Salt precipitates out and piles up on the bottom of the sea.
6. There are no fish or any kind of swimming, squirming creatures living in or near the water. There are, however, several types of bacteria and one type of
algae that have adapted to harsh life in the waters of the Dead Sea
7. The salts found in the Dead Sea are mineral salts, just like you find in the oceans of the world, only in extreme concentrations.
8. The sea is so salty because while water flows into it, no water flows out; it only evaporates leaving behind all the dissolved minerals and salt.
9. Scientists figure that the sea level lowers by as much as 13 inches per year.
10. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies quickly coated
with a preserving layer of salt crystals and then tossed onto shore by the wind and waves
2. The Dead Sea is located between Jordan and Israel in the Syro-African rift a 4000 mile fault line.
3. As water cannot flow out, over 7 million tons of water evaporates per day from the Dead Sea.
4. The name 'Dead Sea' is actually a kinder, gentler translation from the Hebrew name 'Yam ha Maved', which means, 'Killer Sea'.
5. The salt levels of the Dead Sea increase with depth. Down to about 130 feet (40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram
of seawater. That's about ten times the salinity of the oceans. Below 300 feet, though, the sea has 332 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater and is
saturated. Salt precipitates out and piles up on the bottom of the sea.
6. There are no fish or any kind of swimming, squirming creatures living in or near the water. There are, however, several types of bacteria and one type of
algae that have adapted to harsh life in the waters of the Dead Sea
7. The salts found in the Dead Sea are mineral salts, just like you find in the oceans of the world, only in extreme concentrations.
8. The sea is so salty because while water flows into it, no water flows out; it only evaporates leaving behind all the dissolved minerals and salt.
9. Scientists figure that the sea level lowers by as much as 13 inches per year.
10. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies quickly coated
with a preserving layer of salt crystals and then tossed onto shore by the wind and waves
RECOMMENDATIONS
Khaled Amin Al-Araj
Cab Driver– English Speaking Guide Mobile: 962 77 7461013 Email: [email protected] Khaled teaches English to Jordanians during the week and on his days off drives a taxi Rent a Reliable Car
Mohammed Hallak – Manager Amman/Madaba, Jordan Tel: 6-5929676 Email [email protected] The cars are nice and they deliver them right to your hotel and pick them up as well. |
Teresa the Traveler's Dead Sea Travel TipsBring a Phrase Book - I recommend bringing an Arabic phrase book to communicate with locals who may not speak English. Many of the budget restaurants catering to locals do not have English menus and a phrase book can ensure the sandwich you thought you ordered isn’t a pig’s ear or a lamb’s head. Locals are always more receptive when you make an effort to speak their language. Learning how to greet them in their native tongue is a great way to connect and enrich your experience in their country.
Hire an English Speaking Cab Driver - While you can rent a car and drive from Madaba to the Dead Sea on your own, finding your way around the city is not easy and the signage is not always the best. You may have to stop countless times to ask for directions, so unless you are prepared to ask for directions in Arabic, I suggest to hire an English Speaking driver for the day, it won't cost much more than the car rental and will save you some the hassle of getting lost. Public transportation is not great in this area and not worth the hassel when it is so cheap to hire a cab. Visit the Amman Beach Tourist Resort - The Dead Sea is very salty, not only do you want to avoid getting it in your mouth, you will also want to take a shower when you get out as the salt can sometimes feel like it is burning your skin. The Amman Beach Tourist Resort has showers right on the beach, change rooms and a pool. Bring Along a Magazine or Book - Be sure to get a picture of yourself in the standard "Dead Sea Pose" - lying back with your feet up reading a magazine or book! For tips on visiting Jordan CLICK HERE For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
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Where I Stayed...
Mariam Hotel 7110 Aisha Um Mu’meneen St, Madaba, Jordan Tel:00 962 5 325 1529 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mariamhotel.com Check them out on Trip Advisor 
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HOW TO GET THERE – To get to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea, fly into the capital city of Amman, then take a minibus to Madaba. From there hire a cab driver to take you to the Dead Sea on a daytrip or if you want to splurge, you can book a hotel right on the Dead Sea.
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