We left for the Dead Sea the next day for 1.5 days fun and relaxation. The Dead Sea is known for several things including being the lowest above water point on earth (450 meters below sea level) and for the therapeutic quality of the water and mud. Also nearby is the site where Jesus was baptized.
We woke up early the next morning and headed to the baptismal site. Our efforts were rewarded as we arrived before the tour buses. We had to visit the site with a guide as the area is directly on the border between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. Our tour consisted of 3 soldiers from Fiji who were serving in Iraq and a British family living in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. We were taken to the site where the baptism took place and the various other remains and structures in the area. We were able to dip our hands in the Jordan River (which acts as the border between Jordan and the West Bank). Our guide allowed us to take a bottle of water from the baptismal font located at the site. It is filled with water from the Jordan River, which we plan to let family and friends use for baptisms back home. You will note that the area around Jesus’ baptism is dry, the result of Israel’s controversial damming of the Jordan River.
Back at the Marriot, we quickly got our swimsuits on and got ready to mud-up and jump in the Dead Sea. Most of the party liked mud (Kate did not think much of the idea and was upset with her dad for putting mud on her). The adults liked floating in the Dead Sea, but the kids didn’t enjoy the experience as the water is extremely salty and can sting. Not to worry, the hotel had lots of pools for swimming and playing. It was a wonderful trip.
We woke up early the next morning and headed to the baptismal site. Our efforts were rewarded as we arrived before the tour buses. We had to visit the site with a guide as the area is directly on the border between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. Our tour consisted of 3 soldiers from Fiji who were serving in Iraq and a British family living in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. We were taken to the site where the baptism took place and the various other remains and structures in the area. We were able to dip our hands in the Jordan River (which acts as the border between Jordan and the West Bank). Our guide allowed us to take a bottle of water from the baptismal font located at the site. It is filled with water from the Jordan River, which we plan to let family and friends use for baptisms back home. You will note that the area around Jesus’ baptism is dry, the result of Israel’s controversial damming of the Jordan River.
Back at the Marriot, we quickly got our swimsuits on and got ready to mud-up and jump in the Dead Sea. Most of the party liked mud (Kate did not think much of the idea and was upset with her dad for putting mud on her). The adults liked floating in the Dead Sea, but the kids didn’t enjoy the experience as the water is extremely salty and can sting. Not to worry, the hotel had lots of pools for swimming and playing. It was a wonderful trip.
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