After leaving Petra, we came to the Karak Castle, some two and a half hours north on the King's Highway before we would descend 1,312 feet below sea level to float about in the Dead Sea.
Over time this route was traversed by Israelites en route to the Promised Land, by Nabataeans to and from their sacred city of Petra, by Christian faithful on pilgrimages to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the "Promised Land", by Crusaders to their castle fortifications including the Karak Castle, and by Muslim pilgrims heading to and from Mecca.
The Castle Karak loomed high over the town below as we headed toward it.
We stopped for a tour of this cliffside Crusader Castle Karak and entered it by the Ottoman gate high above a dry moat and the land below.
Musa led us through the entire castle and explained what some of the features of the castle were, including the barracks, the kitchen in the hallways, as well as the prison.
Standing at this Crusader castle, it’s hard to think back in imagine why people would come from such a long way to wage war between Christians and Muslims in this desolate land. I guess it’s the same issue now with the war between Israel and Hamas no one wins except for the war industry.
After leaving Karak Castle at an elevation of 3,000 feet, we began descending to the Dead Sea, now some 1,312 feet below sea level.
First Views of the Dead Sea
After 1 1/2 hour we pulled into the Dead Sea Spa Resort for an afternoon of beach time.
When we headed down to the Dead Sea beach we passed three signs that marked the receding waters of the Dead Sea beginning in 2005. Evaporation has occurred faster than the Jordan River has been able to replenish it with the lack of rain in the area.
We enjoyed floating on our backs and before we entered the water, we were warned not to swim under water and avoid getting it in our eyes because the water was so toxic.
Crystalized Sea Salt Along the Shore
In addition to floating about including posing while reading a pocketbook, we lathered up with the Dead Sea mineral bath mud and were supposed to let it dry on us for the full therapeutic effect.
Hear no evil, Speak no evil, and See no evil.
I found it itchy and took to the nearby showers to wash the mud and salt water off.
Later we headed up to the pool area to relax and to go down the water slide before we dressed and headed to Mt. Nebo where Moses was supposed to see the “Promised Land”.
Mt. Nebo was a short drive from the Dead Sea Spa Resort and as we entered Mt. Nebo, we saw a monument marking the visit of Pope John Paul II who planted an olive tree while there.
We entered the church which had expansive mosaic floors. They were well protected by walkways over the tiles.
It was then on to our final destination, Madaba, where we stayed at the Salome Hotel.
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