Day 175 Jordan 12/3/2011, Madaba–Mt Nebo–Dead Sea–Ma'in hotspring–Madaba. Spectacular views, floating at the lowest point on earth and a hot waterfall

After breakfast we met our driver and set off for Mt Nebo. Mt Nebo is where Moses allegedly first saw the promised land, he later died and was buried there, making it the most revered Christian site in Jordan. It also has a giant, extremely beautiful mosaic, that we couldn't see because the church is closed for renovations! Information that would have been nice to know before hand. What you are left with is another mosaic that they have cordoned off at a peculiar angle so you can't get a good look and a very nice view. Fortunately it only cost us about £1 each to get in, we certainly didn't need the hour waiting time that is allowed for each stop.

Leaving Mount disappointment behind we headed down a spectacularly steep road towards the Dead Sea. Our next stop was to be Bethany, the site where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. To be honest we didn't know much about the site, our guide book had little to say and we were only going because it was a scheduled stop. Finding out that it was going to cost us £12 each, was enough for us to give it a miss and carry on to the Dead Sea. If we missed something truly spectacular then I apologise, but the entrance fee is a night in a hotel or a few good meals.

Our stop for a swim/float in the Dead Sea was at a purpose built resort where we had the use of a swimming pool and more importantly showers. Quickly getting changed, we headed down to the water so that Debs could get her first experience of the mineral filled waters. This is my second trip to the Dead Sea as I visited while in Israel in 1995. It is almost impossible to describe what it feels like when you sit back in the water, you just seem to stay on top. Even standing up requires a bit of effort, as you have to get your whole body pointing downwards, while the water is trying to lay you back down. After taking a few obligatory photos of Debs reading the guide book while floating, it was time to try and wash the oily water off. If you leave it on too long your skin begins to feel prickly as the water evaporates leaving the salt.

Following the unique experience of the Dead Sea, we followed it up with another at Hammamat ma'in Hot springs. Neither of us have ever stood beneath a hot waterfall! The combination of the temperature and the sheer weight of water made for an interesting experience. I couldn't stay in for long, but a local woman insisted that Debs stayed under for longer, claiming that it was good for her. Behind the waterfall was a small cave where an extremely hot, too hot to stand in, stream ran through. The confined space and heat from the stream has created a natural sauna. It was nice to relax in the hot waters and hopefully it will have got our leg muscles ready for the cycling to come.

Having spent most of the day below sea level, it was time to head back up to Madaba via another dramatic road.

It has been a good day and it will be nice to get back on the bikes and see what else Jordan has to offer.