The lowest point on earth

It was time to head back to Israel - a car, bus, taxi, interrogation at Israeli border, taxi and bus ride later, we were at Ein Gedi, on the Dead Sea.

It is the oddest feeling floating in water - it's an effort put your feet under water or stand up. The water has an oily film over it, leaves salt residues on rocks that look like dripping candles and burns the eyes (as one guy found out, who ducked under the water!)

Everyone looks ridiculously uncoordinated when they try to turn over. And ridiculously touristy when they rub black mud into their skin - yes we did that, but with free mud. I'm not 100% convinced it helps your skin - it could possibly be just for the locals to laugh at.

Despite all that, it was still very relaxing and our skin did feel super-soft afterwards... to top it all off, we had a romantic dinner (omelette sandwich and water) overlooking the pink-tinged Jordanian mountains and the Dead Sea - what more could one ask for!