Today is my friend’s birthday and what better way to celebrate his birthday, and my vacation, than to go to the Dead Sea?! 

The Dead Sea was a non-negotiable for me on this trip and I am so glad we went! Our first stop of the day was the Octagon Panorama Dead Sea Complex which has a cliff walking trail, restaurant, museum, and a lovely overlook of the Dead Sea with the West Bank in the distance. It was a bit hazy when we visited so the pictures don’t do justice to the beauty of the overlook. The museum is small but worth a few minutes to walk through and they have some visuals for how the Dead Sea has changed (shrunk) over the years. The Dead Sea isn’t a sea at all; it is a lake with no outlet. Ironically, the Dead Sea is dying due to decreased incoming water. The combination of the diversion of the Jordan River and industry use of water has reduced the incoming water to a trickle and water is evaporating faster than it is being replenished. Though there have been a couple of plans to resuscitate the Dead Sea by increasing the water flow, no plan has yet come to fruition. 

Our next stop was the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort and Spa Dead Sea. (One important note here, things in Jordan typically have a few variations of the same name and the Marriott is no different. Currently there is only one Marriott on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea but be advised if you are planning a trip.) There are several resort options to visit the Dead Sea as well as a public access point. Most of the resorts offer some variation on the day pass so do a little research and decide which one works best for you. I recommend this option for Westerners over the public access area because 1) it is easy, 2) it is relatively inexpensive, 3) you have access to some amenities (namely a shower), and 4) there are all styles of swimwear at the resorts so blending in is easier. Plus, the resort is beautiful!

Since the Dead Sea is literally the lowest place on earth, it was fun to see signage at the Marriott telling us that we were 383 meters below sea level (picture above). We planned to visit the spa and opted for a resort day pass which came with locker use, a credit for food and drinks, pool access, towel rentals, and access to the Dead Sea. We dropped off some things in the locker area then made our way to the Dead Sea access point which is similar to a small beach area. 

There were a few “beach rules, regulations, and important information about the Dead Sea” that I found particularly interesting. These are direct quotes from the signage at the access point. 

• To enter the sea, we recommend that you enter backwards allowing your natural buoyancy to keep you stable and upright. 
• The estimated depth of the Dead Sea is 400 meters or 1,000 feet. 
• The water contains more than 35 different elements and minerals that are beneficial for eczema, arthritis, and rheumatism. 
• The Dead Sea is a 30% saline solution; it is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean. 
• Do not go into the sea with cuts or wounds, or after shaving. 

Follow their advice to enter by walking backwards. You will feel your feet and legs start to come up naturally, don’t fight it but allow yourself to sink backwards. It is a really strange and surprising feeling when your buoyancy takes over but you float with absolute ease! Don’t try to swim, the salinity and mineral content of the Dead Sea make it nearly impossible to do more than float. 

The water may leave you with an oily feeling after you exit due to all the elements and minerals. I had braided my hair and the water left my hair feeling coarse and it almost acted like a hair gel, holding everything in place. A quick but thorough rinse with fresh water will eliminate the oiliness and your skin will feel amazingly soft. Definitely do not go into the Dead Sea with any cuts or wounds; I had a knick on my heel that was nearly a week into healing and I could still feel the salty sting. Make use of the Dead Sea mud while there too. The Marriott had a large container of it on the shore (don’t try diving for it because you do not want the Dead Sea water in your eyes or mouth). Get a good handful and rub it all over then sit on the edge of the water and allow the mud to dry. While the mud dries, move your finger through the water and watch the minerals swirl or make new friends chatting with other visitors. I waded knee deep into the sea to rinse the bulk of the mud off before using the shower to rinse off the rest. My skin has never felt better but I do suggest a good shower and a good moisturizer at the end of the day to help replenish your skin as the salt can be dehydrating. 

What trip to the Dead Sea would be complete without a little time at the spa? We all went for a massage after spending some time at the Dead Sea and it was a perfect way to relax and work out the muscle kinks of traveling. After the massage, we hung out in the post-treatment area and the staff brought us some water and a fruit cup. There were some dates, nuts, and dried fruits available to snack on as well. Soon our stomach told us it was time for a more substantial meal so we went back to the locker rooms for a good shower and changed into fresh clothes. The Marriott had a sports bar type restaurant where we ate lunch before starting the drive back to Amman. Interesting fact, when you leave the Dead Sea, you will actually drive up in elevation to sea level!

Once back in Amman, we picked up a cake for the birthday boy at Hala’s Treats: Cakes and Eatery. Normally I am not a fan of chocolate cake because it is almost always dry and tastes artificial to me. This chocolate cake however was moist, rich, and chocolatey. Five stars, 10/10 would recommend. A nice glass of red wine, a slice of chocolate cake, and good company on the patio was the perfect end to a very relaxing day in Jordan.