~Summary~ The Dead Sea, this was the main reason for my trip to Israel. The healing properties of the waters may be overstated, but you can't go to Israel and not experience mudpacks and swimming in the salty water. The resorts are well equipped with showers, lockers, toilets, restaurant and products to take back home. The actual Dead Sea waters are receding so it is a long walk to the water edge, but there is a land train if you have trouble walking far. The waters are a bit stingy on the skin so I would advise caution if you have sensitive skin.
~Introduction~ The Dead Sea is in Israel and is shared with Jordan. The Dead Sea is renowned for its revitalising properties and products from the Dead Sea area include mud masks, bath salts and other bathing items. The Dead Sea is also below sea level in a valley and has very high salt levels, as such there are no living creatures in the water. The salt levels are so high that you cannot immerse yourself face down in the sea and can only lie on your back.~The Resort~ I arrived at the Dead Sea Resort of Ein Gedi on a tour coach, but there seemed to be lots of parking for cars. The resort we went to had good changing facilities with plenty of lockers and showers as well as a nice restaurant and a shop for all the products you can buy to take home and sample the delights of the Dead Sea.
Originally the resorts were built on the shores of the sea, but as the level is dropping fast it is now a long way from the edge of the sea. In 2000 I could just make out the water edge and the bathers from the restaurant balcony. There is a track leading to the sea, so you have a long walk or you can wait in line and take the little land train.
I caked myself in the Dead Sea's mud that was outside the shower area, so I walked to the water. It was a good ten-minute walk to the waters and when I got there the mud had dried on to me. I got into the Dead Sea slowly, as there is little point of hurrying through the salty waters and splashing it in my face. The Dead Sea's waters are so buoyant that you have to lie on your back. This is the only way in which you can 'swim' in the Dead Sea and it takes a while to get the hang of it.
I spent a long time in the water, about half an hour and that may have been the reason for the stinging sensations that I started to feel on my body. The areas that were starting to sting were the backs of the knees, inner thighs/genitals, arm pits, chest and neck. There are showers nearby with fresh water so I was able to shower off the remains of the mud and salty water, before it hurt anymore. As the Dead Sea is meant to be good for your skin I was surprised that it was stinging me this much, but I guess I over did it time wise in the water. As I walked back up to the track to the resort my skin did feel suppler and I felt as if any dead skin had been stripped away.
~Conclusion~ I enjoyed the Dead Sea, it was an unusual experience and one I would like to repeat in the future. I would say it is pretty safe for children, as there were many in the water and drowning is not easy to achieve. I would advise caution though to those with skin complaints and at least check with your doctor or nurse before you travel, as the salt concentration is very strong. If it gave me a stinging sensation I'd hate to think what it could do to someone with more sensitive skin. Oh and don't forgot it is best not to get the Dead Sea water anywhere near your mouth as it is not nice to taste.
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Jul 14th, 2005
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