Deadsea Jordan - where you float and get salty-up

Day 1: (Airport ----> Movenpick Dead Sea Resort Jordan)

So on Day 1, my journey begins -400m below sea level. After getting all excited receiving the key into my room, I immediately searched for my swimmers which was stuffed into my hand luggage (in case I loose the check-in one you know), I got changed, grabbed my camera with a water-proof zipped bag and headed down to the dead sea beach which is part of the resort private access area. With the movenpick map in hand, I knew it would come into handy, since this resort is much like a theme park village, one that you can get lost easily. Especially when each block looking so similar, and with not much directions or signage within the complex. It actually took me more than 15min to walk through the maze before arriving to the beach and pool area.

small potteries that were sold inside a souvenir shop

But the walk wasn't a boring one, I was like a kid checking the different building blocks out, ducking into arches corridor, coming out the next, peeping through souvenir shop windows, taking millions of snapshots as I was making my way down to dead sea area. It was a chilly day, Feb in Jordan can still get quite cold so beware and bring warmer clothes if you travel during that period.

kids friendly swimming pool overlooking Dead Sea

Feb is still low season, and the whole resort feel very private

I've been longing to float in the Dead Sea, and this is one of the activity I look most forward to in Jordan. Seeing the Dead Sea for the first time, it was just unbelievable. Dead Sea was right there, just a few more steps in front of me and not in one of those glossy website promoting the site, I dropped my belongings on the bench provided, and walked my way into the Dead Sea. Beware of the slippery floorboards on the pathway, and it's a good idea to keep your flip flops on. The water was cold, but I counted to three before I lie down on my back, and the Dead Sea water will force against you naturally anyway.

Just  bit of info, because of of the extremely high sea salt content, nothing can survive in the Dead Sea and that's why it's named as it is. Floating was a difficult task, it took me several attempt before being able to do the cheesy floating position that everyone does when they come to Dead Sea. 

And you do not want the water in your eyes or mouth, as it can be awful. I didn't get any into mine, but since I was super curious so I licked my arm to taste it, and it tasted bitter and god it was sooooo salty. Definitely a taste that you don't want to get it on your plate. 

 

After floating, I just followed what the rest of the tourists did, yes mud wrap for free. Hotel was nice enough to fetch the mud from the Dead Sea bed and supply to all floating guests in a clay pot. Because my skin was extremely sensitive and had been suffered from eczema all year round, by the time I got out from the salty water, it was burning already. I practically felt like a leech being generously sprinkled with salt. Ouch! So I just applied the mud lightly, waited for about 15 minute till it dried and washed it out at the open shower on the beach. And no, eczema didn't get erased off like miracle, but the skin did felt alot smoother, it did felt like baby skin again, well for that day at least anyway haha. 

Mind you, I did buy the mud back home for both face and body which I will tell you later in my other chapters.

Pls mind my fatty belly, but it's a mud wrap photo so there's not much to hide from lol

other hotel guests waiting for their mud to get dried up

After playing around with the novelties of floating and getting muddy, I got changed and decided to walk around the complex to find a nice pool to spend the rest of my afternoon before my spa appointment.

another swimming pool - but i think this one is kids free zone

 

beach area overlooking deadsea - with better weather and clearer sky you can actually see Israel on the other side

So the conclusion is, if you want to have this novelty experience, it is well worth staying in one of these Dead Sea Resort and use their private access instead of the public beach. It just makes life so much more easier if you can just leave your belongings in your room, and just hit the dead sea in your swimmer and a one piece. And being able to have a swim and plunge and sun bath by their pools are added bonus.