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Published: December 28th 2010
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« Back » on the road after a few weeks break in France and on for a new humanitarian mission, after one year in North Korea, I have now moved to Baghdad, Iraq!
Middle East is now my second home so do expect a lot of blogs from that part of the world ! The first one of this series is dedicated to the Dead Sea in Jordan … Mud, Salt & Sea ! Long week end in Amman before starting my mission, explored already many sites in the capital city and felt like going for a little “escape” from the crowd so when my colleagues mentioned that by the dead sea the temperature would be about 7 degrees warmer than Amman although only at 45mn drive from the capital I made my mind immediately!
The scenic drive from Amman is already quite spectacular, large steep express way, pretty much going down the whole way from 765m to 422 meters below sea level, hilly & dusty countryside with pocket of vegetation here and there…It doesn’t take long to feel already far away from busy Amman!
When reaching the dead sea, you unfortunately realized that most of the
Chill out time
Movenpick resort, Dead Sea actual sea side has been taken over by resorts & private beach so you have pretty much two options: either you go for one of the cheapest one, access to the dead sea via one of the private beach or you treat yourself with a deluxe resort and in this case the Movenpick is definitely the reference. True oasis of tranquility nested on the north shore of the Dead Sea amongst a lush garden, three infinity pools & one of a kind spa… this is exactly what we needed!
The whole “ritual” around a swim in the Dead Sea is quite an experience in itself! And it started with a really good laugh when after walking across the resort we reached the sea side, only to find out that the swim will have to wait for a little while, first Mud time! From head to toe, you would cover yourself with mud (yep). Naturally at the beginning you start modestly (not quite the usual thing you would do when reaching the sea side) but after a short explanation by the lifeguard about the virtues of the mud before a swim in the dead sea, you end up covering yourself
Gold and more gold !
Sunset by the Dead Sea with generous amount of mud, only to find out that you are now on for a “lizard session”. More precisely, lying down while watching the mud drying up and turning your skin to some lizard (or dinosaur) skin… 15 mn later, we are officially on for the “swim”.
“Swimming” or I should say trying to swim in the Dead Sea is quite fun, you float and “paddle” more than you actually swim as the last thing you want is to put this extremely salty water anywhere close from your mouth and eyes and you end up being quite creative…
26 degrees, floating, enjoying the sun and the view, alternating between the infinity pool and the Dead Sea, this is indeed a perfect gateway!
When the sunset comes, it is time to head for the spa and its outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzy...Perched slightly above the sea, you get a full panoramic view over the Dead Sea from the Jacuzzi and it is quite spectacular, the sky and sea turns into shade of gold & orange color, the air becomes fresher which from the warm water of the jacuzzy is truly enjoyable and then the sun disappears on the
Very relaxed...
Dead Sea, Jordan opposite shore of the Dead Sea.
The evening was spent enjoying some more the numerous facilities offered by the spa before simply lying on a long chair and enjoying the starry sky.
Next: Christmas Eve in the famous ancient city of Jerash with its mind blowing roman ruins…
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Chris and Nikki
Chris
Great picture!