Jordan Day 5 2012 – Memorial of Moses, Bethany beyond the Jordan and the Dead Sea

Morning we returned to Mt. Nebo after checking out of the hotel. Our first attraction for the day was Memorial of Moses.

Carved out face from the rock.
The Memorial was still under massive renovation when we were there.
The Memorial was still under massive renovation when we were there. Couldn’t visit in the end.
More mosaic.
More mosaic exhibits underneath a tentage nearby.
Cravings on the pillar.
Cravings on the pillar. Must be really old.
The Serpentine cross reminded me of the medicine symbol.
The Serpentine cross reminded me of the medicine symbol. This one was behind the memorial.
Atop of Mt Nebo with reference to other locations.
Atop of Mt Nebo with reference to other locations. The view of the “Promised Land” in which Moses saw.
View of the promised land.
View of the promised land.

Didn’t spend much time there since there weren’t a lot to see due to the renovation. After admiration of the view, we left for Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a UNESCO site where Jesus was baptised in the Jordan River. It was not a long drive from Mt. Nebo. The closest we could drive was however only to the visitor’s center, and taking guided tour from there.

Map of Bethany beyond the Jordan.
Map of Bethany beyond the Jordan.
Waiting for the bus tour to begin.
Waiting for the bus tour to begin.
Audio guide plus paper guide showing the different locations for the information.
Audio guide plus paper guide showing the different locations for the information.
Mosaic showing the ascension of Elijah in a chariot of fire, at Elijah hill, covered by the tour.
Mosaic showing the ascension of Elijah in a chariot of fire, at Elijah hill, covered by the tour.
A long walk in the uncomfortable heat.
A long walk in the uncomfortable heat.
The baptism spot.
The baptism spot.
Golden roof of St. John the Baptist church.
Golden roof of St. John the Baptist church.
The small river separated Israel and Jordan.
The small river separated Israel and Jordan.

We went on to check in at the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea Hotel, one of the more affordable ones along the Dead Sea. We were quite early and they provided a free upgrade for our room to a suite! Lovely surprise. Had our lunch at one of the many eating places available in the resort, beside the pool.

Our lunch of wraps and chips.
Our lunch of wraps and chips.
And burgers and chips.
And burgers and chips.
Holiday Inn resort.
Holiday Inn resort.
Free upgrade to suite!! Living room.
Free upgrade to suite!! Living room.
And the bedroom with an amazing dead sea view.
And the bedroom with an amazing dead sea view.
Sink.
Sink.
Bathroom.
Bathroom.
Balcony view of the dead sea.
Balcony view of the dead sea.
Dead Sea view
Dead Sea view from the Holiday Inn Resort.

During the tour the baptism site, we met a tourist from Iraq whom said that we should visit the Ma’in hot springs while here. So we took a drive out and as we drove, we saw a Dead Sea Panoramic Complex which we visited for a while. Here we learnt how the Dead Sea was formed and how it was drying up.

Dead Sea Panoramic center.
Dead Sea Panoramic complex.
A historical introduction on how the Dead Sea was formed.
A historical introduction on how the Dead Sea was formed.
Indeed an amazing panoramic view can be seen.
Indeed an amazing panoramic view can be seen.

There after, we drove on to Ma’in hot springs to have a look. There was a huge waterfall and cave that was opened for public. There were also some other springs meant for families and for ladies only. The water from the waterfall was actually quite hot! I had to purchase a pair of shots to get a piece of the action in the waterfall.

Smaller waterfall for the families.
Smaller waterfall for the families.
Dipping into the hot water for some time.
Dipping into the hot water for some time.
And red like cooked prawns after.
And red like cooked prawns after.
Temperature guide for the hot spring waters.
Temperature guide for the hot spring waters.
Nice waterfall from the top.
Nice waterfall from the top.
Standing there to enjoy the massaging effect of the hot water.
Standing there to enjoy the massaging effect of the cool water.
A small cave where people can sit in and enjoy the sauna.
A small cave where people can sit in and enjoy the sauna.

We didn’t stay long as I was only one in the springs while my wife waited outside. I couldn’t stay too long as well since the water was really hot and the weather was hot too. Drove back to the hotel to enjoy the room for a bit before heading to the private beach of the resort for some Dead Sea experience.

There were some bowls of mud that were already collected from the shore and we could just apply it onto our face and bodies. However, the saltiness of the mud bit into our skin, took some time to get used to this. There was a clean water facility for us to wash down after we were happy with the application.

The other experience was of course to float on the Dead Sea. It was quite amusing to do so although it must take a little bit of balancing. The risk to this was at the water getting into the eye that would make you cry since the saltiness was so much higher than normal sea water.

Bowl of mud available at the beach for use.
Bowl of mud available at the beach for use.
Yup, end result. The saltiness bit bad.
Yup, end result. The saltiness bit bad.

 

Floating on the water watching the sunset.
Floating on the water watching the sunset.

Got back to the room and clean up before dinner. We settled for dinner at the resort itself, not knowing where else we could get dinner nearby. It was a dining under the stars experience, with the cool breeze coming in.

Dinner under the stars.
Dinner under the stars.
Our table set up.
Our table set up.
A glass of wine.
A glass of wine.
Soup.
Soup.
Kebah and fries.
Kebah and fries.
A few kitty companions.
A few kitty companions.

Then it was the end of a short but amazing experience at the dead sea.