In April, we traveled to Jordan and Israel for a week break. Our first stop was the Marriot Dead Sea Resort, and it was super relaxing. The trip from Amman to the Dead Sea was only an hour, but the weather can change significantly because of the drop in elevation. It could snow in Amman and be 70 at the Dead Sea. Amazing!
The Dead Sea Marriot had 3 pools and a large beach front to swim in the Dead Sea.
The mud from the Dead Sea is said to have many vitamins and minerals, so guests to the Sea rub mud all over themselves and let it dry in the sun before swimming in the 30% saltwater Sea. Scott was well covered. I think he'll look 31 his entire life!
Floating in the Dead Sea is unbelievable! You literally cannot drown because of the salt content. It feels like you are wearing a life jacket. However, it does sting a little on your skin.
Of course we treated ourselves to some nice resort dinners during the trip. Hey, it is a vacation!
After 3 days at the resort, we took a cab to Petra for an overnight stay. I cannot describe how LARGE Petra is as a tourist. Wow! The first significant mention of Petra is in the Old Testament when the Israelites approached the city through the Wadi desert. In 647, the Nabateans built the city into the mountains to what it looks like today (besides the Roman ruins once Rome conquered them of course).
The only entrance into the city of Petra is through a large natural crevice in the sandstone mountains. It's a 2 km walk through narrow passages like you see where Scott is standing.
Once you reach the end of the 2 km. walk, you can see The Treasury. This building should look very familiar to you if you've seen Indiana Jones (if you have not seen the movie, you must have lived in a cave your entire life!).
The Treasury's history is dated to the first century BC, and it was built to impress. Legend says, "In pursuit of the Israelites after the Exodus, the pharaoh was slowed down by having to carry all his treasure, so he created the Treasury and deposited his riches in the urn at the very top of the facade, out of human reach."
After a 3 hour walk, 2 of the hours on steps carved into the rock up hill, we came to The Monastery. The doorway alone to this building is bigger than a house! This is most likely a temple for the Nabatean king Obodas I, who reigned in first century BC. As a matter of fact, many of the facades built into the mountain walls are said to be burial tombs.
Once we reached the top of the hiking path, we overlooked the mountains and desert of Jordan all the way in to Israel. Just beautiful.
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