They say honesty is the best policy, right? Well then, to be honest, our visit to the Dead Sea was my least favorite part of our trip to Israel. It's a fascinating place, but still...
We were impressed by the distance between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. And not so much by the miles traveled on the bus which took us there. It was even more impressive to consider the difference in elevation. Jerusalem 2,474 feet, above sea level. The surface of the Dead Sea, in contrast, is over 1,300 feet below sea level, and bottom of the sea lies over 2,300 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea is also roughly 10 times saltier than the Atlantic or Pacific, so we took the warnings not to get the water in our eyes quite seriously.
Walking down to the sea involved traveling though sucking, stinking, black muck. I lost a flip-flop there and suspect it will be excavated centuries from now and cause quite a wonderment among the creatures which will survive us. Folks said that generous applications of the goopy stuff on the skin was beneficial but, frankly, I couldn't get into a shower quickly enough. And despite rinsing my swimwear vigorously and triple-bagging it in plastic, every item in my suitcase had to be washed or dry cleaned to get rid of the smell.
So with apologies to those who have fond memories of the Dead Sea, I will gladly pass if I'm ever given the opportunity to visit Israel again.
How interesting, it looks beautiful anyhow.
ReplyDeleteYikes, I can do without the muck, but I wouldn't mind getting in the water (if I won't have wade through mud to get to it)!
ReplyDeletePictures of big water for me always great, but nearby it looks not very inviting...
ReplyDeleteAs I wrote you earlier, I'm hosting a weekly meme "Weekend Green" everxy Friday on my blog
http://mascha-colorofhope.blogspot.de/
Have a blessed week
Hi! Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI left a favorite pair of flip flops on an island in Belize once. I hope someone got good use out of them.
ReplyDeleteI remember... we learned at school about this extremely salty sea. The teacher sayed, you didn't know to swim, you can lay on the water. It's funny. And a colleague was there concerning her Skin desease.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Bavaria
I've never visited such places but I've always thought them to be so very beautiful, and they are, but your experience leave me speechless ... the Death See is something like a salt lake, maybe the discomfort you have experienced is due to it, sweet friend ...
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a lovely week so far,
I'm sending hugs and more hugs to you,
thanking you as usual for hosting your so inspiring link-up party
XOXO Daniela at - My little old world -
That was fascinating - it's a good thing there isn't smell-o-vision on computers yet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having the linkup.
Maggie
Very interesting and informative post! Those future archaeologists will wonder what sort of one-legged creature walked the earth. The standard attire in south Florida is t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. Losing a flip-flop would be a major catastrophe.
ReplyDeleteInteresting pictures and information on the Dead Sea. Thank you for sharing it.... and for hosting the link party. :)
ReplyDeleteGood post interesting too I liked the photos :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a mucktastic week ;-)
I've only ever heard good things, and no one ever told me about the smell (though I believe you, that actually makes sense). Isn't it funny what people remember (I've never heard about it from people that have just been, it's always a visit from their memory..so I'm guessing you forget bits that at the time you didn't like)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so gross! Sorry about the flip flop!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of salt water either. Give me a fresh water lake any day!
ReplyDeleteMust have been very inconvenient for you losing your flip flop. I wouldn't like my whole luggage to smell from the goopy stuff! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that about the Dead Sea. I wonder what has caused all the muck?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. It looks nice and it is still a place I would like to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhen we went my husband went swimming in the dead sea, but it was just a little too cold for me (it was January). He loved it and had so much fun floating around.
ReplyDeleteIf you have the tiniest cut or skin break of any kind, it HURTS. They don't tell you that, either.
ReplyDeleteI never heard that smelled bad before. Did you float on the water (really high up on the water)? DId the water stink or just the fetid muck?
ReplyDeleteIt really is such a cool place - so desolate!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos! : ) Thanks for sharing... I can imagine the smell, yikes!
ReplyDeleteIt must be an interesting place - thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography of the Dead Sea ~ wish it was better trip for you ~ thanks for hosting ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you ~ ^_^
I have memories of a lake I walked in that sucked my feet into the mire and it was not only stinky but scarry at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOne always has varied experiences during travel.Thanks for the info and great pictures!
ReplyDeleteGood to know if I ever get to go to the Holy Land!
ReplyDeleteI'd still want to see this place one day. Sorry to hear about your swimsuit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
You're right! That smell is really horrendous. Nice pictures, though. :)
ReplyDeleteHeh heh! Love your comment about the flip flop.
ReplyDeleteAwww no, it's a shame you didn't enjoy it as I've heard great things about the Dead Sea, and apparently the water and the mud are great for helping the skin to heal. I love the fact you can simply float on the water due to the high salt content too, I'd love to try that, but maybe that was the cause of the smell? Your comment about the flip flop made me laugh too, I once almost lost my welly in a really muddy field on a geography trip and then fell over, so it reminded me of that! Lovely pictures though, and I'm really enjoying reading about your adventures at the moment Sue. - Tasha
ReplyDeleteI went there in 2015 and it was a unique experience indeed. RIP your flip flop LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. I still want to go there, because you brought wonderful pictures! The place is beautiful! Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteI like your honesty! I'm also not a great fan of the Dead Sea, though I do love the scenery around it. The water scan really sting too!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered what it's like there, but it doesn't look or sound very pleasant! Great pictures, though :)
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review. I have never heard these descriptions from friends who have visited the Dead Sea. I think I would be happy to just look at it from afar!
ReplyDeleteRight, well that puts it all in perspective, doesn't it? It's great to have these kinds of blogs about places that we might romanticise in our minds.
ReplyDelete