Unique Dead Sea photos – mud yoga, floating and sand storm
When I visited Israel for 10 days in early September 2015, one of my must-do’s was definitely visiting the lowest place on Earth, the Dead Sea.
One of the most famous ”seas” in the whole world was very high on top of my bucket list mostly because of the three facts:
1. it’s unique (despite of its name ”sea”, it’s a lake covering 600 km2. And not just any lake. Its max depth of 304 m makes it the deepest hypersaline lake on Earth situated 429 m below sea level.
2. due to the high content of minerals you can float without doing anything (Dead Sea contains 34% of salts vs. most of other seas just 0.03 – 0.3 %. Its density of 1.24 kg/l makes it impossible to swim and you have no choice but floating. However, there are a couple of lakes with even higher density, some of which are located in Antarctica but they are just not so famous.)
3. mud with therapeutic properties (Dead Sea mud contains potassium, magnesium, low sodium and other minerals which relieve skin problems, such as psoriasis or acne; they allow penetration of water and thus make the skin silky smooth)
I had a similar experience of floating already in the past at the Cejar and Piedra lagoons in Atacama desert in Chile. Very few people know that you can float in those lagoons, too and they would never imagine such a cool place in the driest desert in the world.
Also, I tried floating in a water tank in Barcelona which was so unique it’s difficult to explain!
However, our Dead Sea experience was so special and different even after floating twice in other parts of the world.
Why?
When I was in Israel, there was an unexpected sand storm which came from the East/Northeast from somewhere in Syria (usually it comes from the West.) This sand storm was not only from the opposite side but also did not happen in that part of Israel for 75 years.
It meant we were not able to see the Dead Sea until we walked very close.
It was extremely humid and hot (showing 39 Celsius at 4 pm.)
Important tips:
- a guided tour from Jerusalem/Tel Aviv to Dead Sea might be better than going solo
- Do NOT pee in the water. We were told it hurts.
- Do NOT fart in the water. It’s supposed to hurt, too.
- Do not drink the Dead Sea water but keep hydrated drinking bottle water as much as you can.
- If you put mud all over your body and face, let it dry for a few minutes at least.
- You can wash out the mud from your body in the Dead Sea but to do so with your face, use a fresh water shower instead.
- Do not immerse your head and face into the sea.
- Avoid getting the sea water in your eyes as you could get blind.
- Take a shower after getting out.
- Definitely change your clothes before you leave.
As I spent the entire 2 hours at the Dead Sea covered with mud, or floating, some other guys who were on the trip with me took most of my photos.
PS: no filters nor photo-editing was used, the weird yellowish colour was due to the sand storm.
My unique Dead Sea photos:
Photos by Alon Bar David:
Photos by Brad from My Wanderlist:
Photos by Michael Tzur:
I was invited on this trip by All over TLV and Stand with Us. Thanks for giving me a chance to take unique Dead Sea photos as part of my Adventure and Spa project.
David Rainey
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Interesting information presented clearly and I learned from the article. Thanks for sharing, Alexandra.
Gagandeep Singh
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Is it safe to travel Israel? Some of my fellow traveller say it’s too much religious tensions in this country.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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It is an intense experience, that’s for sure but it is way safer than many people say. So I do recommend it ;)
Ellis Shuman
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It’s absolutely safe to travel to Israel. The media highlights certain rock-throwing incidents but tourists and citizens don’t even go to these places.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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I agree Ellis, I felt super safe in Israel.
Claus Gurumeta
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Haha great photos, looks like you had fun!
The yellow colour of the air with the sand makes it look like you are in a different planet :P
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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It so did not feel like on Earth, not much oxygen could be felt through so much sand :D