Autumn Dead Sea Trip 2010

[DSG]

Hi All,

It's not often that I vent my frustration , however in this instance I felt it necessary to put finger to keyboard.

I was contacted by a concerned gentleman at the weekend who was considering going to the Dead Sea in Jordan with our group this autumn, he had previously travelled to the Israel side but a good friend of his who had returned from our Jordan trip this spring group, had spoken with him and had highly recommended that he try Jordan instead as this individual had also already been to Israel and his personal view was that his friend would find the Jordan experience more favourable!

That was until he spoke with one of the few travel agents that operate trips to the dead sea in Israel.
Luckily the individual who was considering a dead sea trip contacted myself to ask my opinion rather than listen to the complete and utter garbage being spouted by a travel agent obviously desperate to profit from another sale!!!
So as comically as this sounds let me clarify the following

The Dead Sea Coast is approximately at the same depth below sea level on both sides!!!
Sorry science was not my best subject at school but if the dead sea was significantly lower on the Israel side as claimed that would mean that Jordan would have no dead sea as it would flow unevenly!!! Anyway both sides have dead sea. Sounds like the travel agent forgot to mention that the Dead Sea is drying up at such a rapid rate (this effects both sides) although on the Israel side due to the location of the hotels they have been affected more and the sea is now effectively channelled to the hotel coast line, which means that the sea is  rather murky due to lack of flowing water, this does not occur on the Jordan side as the hotel resorts are further north and the water is currently free flowing, strange how the travel agent did not mention this!!!

The sun is the same on both sides
Apparently claims have been made that the sun is different and not as effective on the Jordan side!!!! Now i did only get a D grade in my GCSE , so just to be sure I have just looked out of the window at work and as far as I can tell, I can only see one sun!!!!
Fact-both sides have the same sun, both work well in treating psoriasis, I have been to both sides Israel 24 times and Jordan 11 times, I have had  great results on both sides, peoples results are dependant on the individual as everyone is different, so many factors are at play, stress levels, general health, diet etc etc etc, the good news is both sides work and work well for psoriasis. I choose to go to Jordan because I prefer the experience, the good food, the ambiance and excellent service provided, its a personal choice!

Jordan does serve beer and alcohol
Yes that's right the unscrupulous travel agent even claimed that they do not serve alcohol, well I can 100% assure you that they do, it's not the cheapest but they do, they even have a 2 hour happy hour every day where drinks are half price, a drinks and aperitif evening once a week where the wine and beer are free for a couple of hours, oh yes also a free mini bar which is replenished daily with soft drinks and crisps! Strange how the travel agent forgot to mention this!!! So much for impartial advice eh!!!!!


Jordanian camels only have two legs
OK, just joking I made this one up, but it would not surprise me what this travel agent will come up with next!!!


Come on if its not bad enough that we have to put up with a rubbish skin disorder at the very least lets show a little honesty here Mr Travel Agent, rather than coming up with as much utter garbage so that you can make a profit and get people onto your trips..
Give them the facts, we all have to part with a lot of hard earned cash to go for out for our treatment.
Accurate, honest and impartial advice is whats required, thank god for this website at least people can talk to veterans and get honest opinions.

We have spend lots of time trying to get the best deals for people going to the dead sea. My advice is don't listen to profit making Travel agents ask one of the veterans.

As said before, I much prefer the Jordan side as I believe you get a better overall experience & no travel agent gets to profit from our skin condition, however it is a personal choice on were you travel, they both work and work well!!!!

Right I'm going to get off my box now

PS Rest assured the individual who phoned me will probably write his own review when he returns from his trip to Jordan this spring. 

PPS Dishonesty gets you nowhere and will always come back to bite you on the bum 

Cheers
DSG




 

[Toffee_Fella]

I can confirm that they serve alcohol in Jordan. Can also confirm that they have semi-naked dancers of an evening and also serve a bong of your choice.

My feet did touch the floor in the dead sea, so the rumours that it maybe shallower on the Jordan side could well be true. 

[Munchkin12]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone's well! I'm getting very excited about my trip next week, and getting loads of sun! I hope I'm not too self-conscious on the beach sunbathing. Anyway, I have a question for those that go to the Dead Sea alot.

How do I prepare my skin? It's quite dry at the moment, with quite a few thick and dry patches. I do try and moisturise, but not always practical.

I was thinking over the next week to apply baby oil directly after showering/bath and keep it as moisturised as possible. I do find that Cetomacrogol/Aqueous creams can be a bit too thick. Any suggestions?

Also, what's the best thing to put on the skin for sunbathing/aftercare, both for the face and body? I'm thinking of getting Burts Bees oil, and using that constantly. I know that sun-cream is a no-no.

I don't want to look shrivelled up like a prune when I get back, as I know the sun is intense and will be spending ALOT of time in it!!!  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thanks alot!!! XX

[mattellie]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone's well! I'm getting very excited about my trip next week, and getting loads of sun! I hope I'm not too self-conscious on the beach sunbathing. Anyway, I have a question for those that go to the Dead Sea alot.

How do I prepare my skin? It's quite dry at the moment, with quite a few thick and dry patches. I do try and moisturise, but not always practical.

I was thinking over the next week to apply baby oil directly after showering/bath and keep it as moisturised as possible. I do find that Cetomacrogol/Aqueous creams can be a bit too thick. Any suggestions?

Also, what's the best thing to put on the skin for sunbathing/aftercare, both for the face and body? I'm thinking of getting Burts Bees oil, and using that constantly. I know that sun-cream is a no-no.

I don't want to look shrivelled up like a prune when I get back, as I know the sun is intense and will be spending ALOT of time in it!!!  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thanks alot!!! XX

Hi Munchkin,

Firstly you will not be self-conscious on a beach as you will be in a private solarium with fellow P sufferers

The best way to prepare your skin is to de scale as best you can otherwise the suns rays will just reflect off the silvery scales. I moisturise heavily before leaving and take baths with a drop of oil in such as baby oil which greatly speeds up the de-scaling and is more effective than showering. Less moisture is lost in your skin with bathing than showering

Whilst there, you need to sunbathe in oil with carrot oil being the best. However, baby oil with aloe-vera works well. This helps keep your skin lubricated, attracts the sun and keeps the scales opaque so the sun can work its magic. After a day in the sun just use a good quality after sun or moisturiser, I just use my diprobase. I would try and moisturise 3 times in the evening - after cooking, after dinner and before bed.

Make sure you practice safe, gradual exposure from day one - patience in the early days will reap benefits later

You can take sunscreen especially block as it will come in handy to protect accidentally burnt skin, I also take a factor 15 for use during the midday sun when strolling about. Aloe-vera is great for soothing sunburn.

I hope this helps

Paul

[JFW]

Due to financial constraints I wont be going this year plus my UV treatment seems to keep it at bay ......except for being covered head to toe in the staining (pigment colouring) I look like that jigsaw tattoo dude

I know its not a holiday but I'm actually gonna miss an ice cold amstel after bathing in 38 degree heat.

All being well I shall never visit again but if needs be I'll be looking forward to it.....

For the newbies all the peeps from here and regulars are a great bunch.....anyone remember jeff trying to touch the DS floor with a snorkel and mask? Lots to make you smile and pass the time of day as the P fades away 

cheers DSG and Mattellie, might see you next year for my first spring trip

James

[OOHSUITUSIR!]

Have a great time y'all......My skin isn't bad enough to warrant a visit - I was happy sunbathing around the pool in Gran Canaria last week.

Why didn't anyone tell me that they served alcohol on the Jordanian side?....I spent three weeks on the wagon last time I went

ref the food - Israel vs Jordan......on my last trip to israel I got a breaded chicken breast, I cut into it and it was raw......I'm not exaggerating....raw. I immediately reported it to the guy serving behind the counter. Instead of removing the tray, he put a lid on it and stuffed off. Of course people passing, were lifting the lid and attempting to take the food!. I had to demand the chef come out, look at the chicken and physically take it away.

In Jordan, my boiled egg was hard, I reported it to the guy serving behind the counter and he immediately apologised, and boiled up 2 soft eggs to my exact requirements

That's the difference in service. In Israel, soldiers leave the military and if they do 6 months in the hotel trade they get a bonus. They are working for the bonus not because they want the job. In Jordan, jobs in this hotel are sought after as they are well paid and the tips boost wages a fair bit....they WANT the job and they look after you.

[poncho]

There are good and bad points about both sides, it's very subjective, the debate may go on but it just depends on individuals' priorities.  I like the more varied nightlife/bars/cafes of the strip in Ein Bokek rather than just drinking in one hotel all the time and I've personally never really had a problem with the food. Both sides are poor value compared to what else you can get around the world for that sort of money but that's just something we have to live with. I'll concede though that Jordanians are much friendlier and more helpful than Israelis, but that really isn't difficult.
There was talk of the Palestinians developing their own resort area on the northern part of the sea if they ever got proper control of the West Bank as part of a state but I can't see that happening any time soon.
Anyway, Cyprus next week should sort me out!

[STEVIE..C]

Hi Munchkin,

Firstly you will not be self-conscious on a beach as you will be in a private solarium with fellow P sufferers

The best way to prepare your skin is to de scale as best you can otherwise the suns rays will just reflect off the silvery scales. I moisturise heavily before leaving and take baths with a drop of oil in such as baby oil which greatly speeds up the de-scaling and is more effective than showering. Less moisture is lost in your skin with bathing than showering

Whilst there, you need to sunbathe in oil with carrot oil being the best. However, baby oil with aloe-vera works well. This helps keep your skin lubricated, attracts the sun and keeps the scales opaque so the sun can work its magic. After a day in the sun just use a good quality after sun or moisturiser, I just use my diprobase. I would try and moisturise 3 times in the evening - after cooking, after dinner and before bed.

Make sure you practice safe, gradual exposure from day one - patience in the early days will reap benefits later

You can take sunscreen especially block as it will come in handy to protect accidentally burnt skin, I also take a factor 15 for use during the midday sun when strolling about. Aloe-vera is great for soothing sunburn.

I hope this helps

Paul

Excellent, spot on advice...


I am also a convert to carrot oil thanks to Paul, especially if you can find one that has some form of 'water resistance' as when you pop into the shower to cool down a little whilst in the solarium, it saves the chore of having to constantly reapply the oil as I found with most regular 'baby oils'.

If shopping for carrot oil, beware that some have sunscreen but I know you can source some without, it isn't as readily available as the regular oils and purchasing oils is far more expensive in Jordan than the UK.


As Paul mentioned before, during the early days you MUST practice gradual sun exposure, even if you decide to bathe under the available parasols on site you'll find that you still consume high rates of UV, remember to always be hydrated by drinking plenty of water, I guarantee you'll be scared of the sight of plain water by the end of the trip, I at times bring along some natural flavour enhancers just to add some flavour to the water.

Don't panic on the first few days if you think there are no real distinctive results, they will come, keep a regular check with those you have been to the DS before, their advice helps loads and in most general cases it'll only be the same as what the dermatologist will say without having to pay them...    Although if you feel the need to see the on-site doctor or derm, they are fantastic, extremely helpful..

All the creams and services I used from the clinic, I invoiced back to my insurance company....


Have a great trip.

 

[Rick]

Sorry I couldn't join you in Jordon for a trial run, I hope the hotel service and telephone issues have been cured.

The adventurer in me went alone to Israel this year to try to find a bargain 

I managed to find a hotel on the beach (1 star - 2 maybe) with the help of a local in the area at $130 per night HB, food was not great but you wont starve, £300 Jet 2 flight, $400 transfer, .... plus tips ....so all in all - just under £1900 - not a saving and I gave up Daniel or Le Meridian quality for a ......so called bargain   ..... NOT a bargain after all.     

I could have went with Dead Sea Travel for just over £1900 all included and David gives £400 off if you do your own flights.... so I think I would have saved £100 going with Dead Sea Travel and they are bonded (insurance in case of hotel closure etc).

Oh well, you win some you loose some.

At some point I may try the Jordon side - how does the airport security compare, Israel is a real pain, but you know they are thorough I suppose.

The good news is skin is clear and the weather was fantastic - rained one day but several good hours of sunshine, dry heat and over 40 degrees - and 34 at night... hot hot hot!

AND skin is much much better..... you really need 3 weeks to really get skin under control with 2 to 3 baths in the dead sea it makes a real difference (to me anyway).

By the way the solarium is closed for refurb and the bedowin tent is reopen for evening drinks.

Good luck in healing your skin everyone! 

[Rick]

by the way has anyone tried Egypt?
I recently read the following...."On the Red Sea coast,  Marsa Alam  and Safaga are well known sites for therapeutic tourism. Safaga in particular is said to be one of the best locations in the world for curing psoriasis.

Safaga's potential health benefits were recently in the media spotlight when a group of scientists from the National Research Centre (NRC) found that it helps in the treatment of psoriasis ......"

Anybody tried this?