Biblical Jordan

Our first stop on our path to southern Jordan was Bethany Beyond the Jordan (or the Baptismal Site), where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. The Jordan River is not quite what it once was due in part to political reasons (river diversions) & climate change, but that didn't stop me getting in. The water was freezing, but I baptised myself round 2.

The Greek Church at the Baptismal Site

The Baptismal Site, Jordan

Dad getting some of the good stuff, Jordan river

Me dipping my feet in

The traffic is terrible around there 

The day was getting hotter and hotter which was a big positive as we were heading next to the Dead Sea. We drove passed the sea level sign that shows we are officially at 0m and then continued another 429 meters below to get to the Dead Sea beach.

Cheesy photo next to the sign

I was hoping to have gotten sick during my time in Iran so that I could be sporting my new beach bod, but it unfortunately never happened.

The Amman Beach, Dead Sea

I had heard that the Dead Sea was incredibly buoyant but I wasn't quite prepared for it. It was like wearing a full body life jacket. If you were lying on you back you had to wind up to spin around.  I decided against popular advice to dunk my head under.

Just writing in my diary

The pain was immense, first my nostrils, next my eyes, then my mouth. It was like sucking on a really sour lollie and your jaw kind of cramps up. So I told Dad it was invigorating and watched him writhe in pain as he experienced it himself.

We then caked ourselves in the mud, and stood in the sun like two black statues to dry. When we washed it off, I felt like a new me, and I didn't recognise dad, he looked 20 years younger. Unfortunately the effects didn't last long and we are back to our old selves.

Dead Sea Mud

Dad all mudded up

After that refreshing swim, we headed up Mt Nebo. This is where Moses saw the Promised Land. The view was fantastic.

Similar to Moses, me looking out to the promised land

A guide to the Promised Land

Then we made our way down to the town of Wadi Musa where you stay to see Petra. That night Dad wasn't feeling well so I went to the oldest bar in the world alone. It was built a couple of thousand years ago and is in a cave, surprisingly it's called Cave Bar. I was drinking arak which is made from aniseed, and is popular all over the Levant. It tasted a lot like sambuca, and completely numbs your mouth.

Cave Bar, the oldest bar in the world

Petra tomorrow.

Lots of love

Nick + Tony