Dead Sea, Israel

The Dead Sea, one of the most amazing bodies of water on the planet, is a resort, a clinic and an attraction all in one. Here you can relax on the surface of the water, buried in your favorite book, treat a bunch of sores – from dermatitis to lumbago and, of course, lean in healing mud to your heart’s content (by the way, some psychologists say that floundering in the slush has a very beneficial effect on the mind: they say, it wakes up memories about the golden months spent in the mother’s womb).

Attention: banality (nowhere without it). The Dead Sea is a unique place. No, really. The water in it is extremely salty and contains almost the entire periodic table. Which inevitably gives it healing properties. Well, along the desert and rocky shores of the sea there are a large number of thermal springs rich in selenium and deposits of therapeutic peloid mud. Is it worth calling the most developed type of recreation on the shores of this extraordinary lake?

“It was a fun swim! We couldn’t drown. Here you can stretch out on the water at full length, lying on your back and folding your arms over your chest, with most of the body remaining above the water. At the same time, you can completely raise your head… You can lie very comfortably on your back, raising your knees to your chin and wrapping your arms around them – but you will soon turn over, as your head outweighs. You can stand on your head and from the middle of your chest to the end of your legs you will remain out of the water, but you will not be able to maintain this position for a long time. You cannot swim on your back with any noticeable movement, because your feet stick out of the water and you have to push off only with your heels. If you swim face down, then you are not moving forward, but backward. The horse is so unstable that it can neither swim nor stand in the Dead Sea – it immediately lies on its side.

Quote from Mark Twain, given in “Entertaining Physics” by Yakov Perelman

Dead Sea beaches

There are more than ten beaches on the Dead Sea, most of them are public. They are concentrated in the areas of Ein Bokek and Hamei Zohar. Those who like outdoor activities choose the flourishing oasis of Ein Gedi as their destination, located near freshwater sources and an hour’s drive from Ein Bokek. See CITYPOPULATIONREVIEW for weather information.

Solar radiation in the Dead Sea region is practically devoid of its harmful, “hard” component: here you can stay in the sun for 8 hours a day without any unpleasant consequences. But in the sea itself you can swim only two (maximum three) times a day, and then – no longer than 20 minutes. The extremely salty water of the Dead Sea, when it comes into contact with the mucous membranes, causes a strong burning sensation. Therefore, when plunging into this reservoir, you should protect your nose, mouth, and especially your eyes from water, and in which case, immediately rinse them in the shower. Well, only a complete misanthrope, moreover, completely devoid of the instinct of self-preservation, will splash water on his neighbors in the Dead Sea.

A few more tips on the same topic: take a shower every time after swimming, do not dive (by the way, it still won’t work), and do not rub your eyes with your hands wet from sea water.

Treatment

In total, there are more than ten dermatological medical institutions operating in the Dead Sea, they successfully treat many skin diseases, arthropathy and chronic arthritis. In addition, the oxygenated air of the Dead Sea helps in the treatment of respiratory diseases, and high atmospheric pressure helps to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. “To the heap” in local centers they accept (and not just accept, but also treat) patients with neurological and andrological diseases, and also offer various health programs with mud baths and black clay wraps.

Entertainment and attractions of the Dead Sea

The ancient fortress of Masada (visiting the palace of King Herod, the synagogue, water reservoirs carved into the rocks, visiting the campsites of the Roman troops and their breakthrough into Masada).

Dead Sea oases – Nahal David, Nahal Arugot and Ein Gedi, Qumran National Park, Lot’s Wife – a mountain range of salt rocks about 20 km long.