Taking the Low Road (back up)

After an afternoon of relaxing in the Dead Sea and at our resort, we were off again not so bright and early the next morning as we had a light day planned.  Back up the long and winding road we stopped for a view from the top and got a glimpse of Isreal on the other side (the sand was abating).

Our destination wasn't far and it would require us to put our swimsuits back on for a few hours and once again relax (this was becoming a theme).  The Ma'in Hot Springs have been healing people since Roman Times.  The natural spring water comes out hot!  Almost too hot at 60 degrees Celcius (140 degrees Farenheit).  The water decends from the rocks above and forms natural thermal pools below.  Because the water is high in minerals it is said to have healing powers but we weren't able to sit in them long enough to find out.  Did I mention they were hot???

 Standing behind the waterfall.

We were on our way after about an hour and ready for a quick lunch (which we didn't get as we weren't about to brave the gas station food...) and back on the road.  This time we were stopping at the Shobak Castle.  The castle is impressively perched high upon a conical mountain surrounded by barren land and has stood since the 12th century.  It is not as complete as its neighbor, Karak, but is the more impressive of the two we were told.  And I believe they are right.  The views were amazing and the girls had a great time climbing up, down and all around the ruins of this imposing giant.

 I think we actually spent more time at Shobak than we did soaking in the hot springs!  But it was getting to be late afternoon and we still had to get to our hotel in Petra.  We hit a few traffic jams along the way...

 but made it in time for dinner and called it an early night.  We were anticipating needing a lot of rest so we had the energy for Petra in the morning - and we were not wrong!