Welcome to “Introducing Israel”, In this series, we will explore Israel and discover some hidden gems. 

I’m Arielle and I invite you to come with me on this intimate journey and transport yourself for a few minutes to this magical place.

Today we’re going to talk about An Unusual Beach Vacation

The Dead Sea!

The sea you cannot drown in, just a quick car ride away from Jerusalem to the lowest point on earth. 

It is probably on everyone's bucket list to float in the Dead Sea, and it is absolutely worth it! 

I have visited many unique places throughout the world, but the Dead Sea is breathtaking, unlike anything I’ve ever felt. While floating freely on water, you can enjoy other-worldly scenery.  

Next to the hotels, the beaches are crowded, so drive down the scenic road further south to reach the more quiet and calm spots and have a beer with one of the long-term campers right by the sea. 

Knowing what you are getting into is usually a good idea. Let me get right to it: 

The shoreline is made up of thick salt crystals that are a bit tough to walk on. 

As you make your way over the buttery mud, towards/deeper into the water you will start to feel the warm thick water all around your body - as if you were bathing in olive oil. 

Salt and minerals in the water make it impossible for any living being to survive – it certainly is dead - but the mineral-infused water has many healing and nourishing components for the body. 

It's kind of like going to the spa, and it comes with those stunning Jordan Mountain views – just gorgeous. 

A sunset swim is not to be missed

The oil-like water feels strange at first. As you step deeper into the water, lean back and let the Dead Sea catch you. Floating effortlessly like you are in outer space is an incredibly bizarre sensation. Relax and read a book while floating around! 

Dig in the mud with your hands and look for cube-shaped salt crystals. They are impressively shaped by nature - A GOOD THING TO TAKE HOME TO YOUR FRIENDS 

Here are my tips for this unusual vacation in this mystical place:

• The summer in Israel is hot, and I mean VERY HOT. The temperatures can reach 40 degrees CELIUS and the sun is blazing! So here comes my tip: Spring and fall are the best times to visit.
• NEVER put your head under water and don't ever open your eyes, don’t even let a drop of water touch your eyes - trust me on this: IT STIIIIINGNGGSS!
• Bring a swimsuit you don’t care too much about. The Dead Sea won’t ruin it, but it could dry it out. 
• If you have a cut on your body just be careful it will definitely burn. People, don’t shave the same day. 

[Pause - change]

In this area you have growing amounts of uniquely shaped salt islands. The most famous, which you probably know from photos, is the Dead Sea Tree of Life - a beautiful metaphor for life within all the dead.

A local artist created this tree as an art project to showcase the effects of climate change. Each day he paddles out with a paddleboard to apply mud with minerals to keep his tree alive. 

There are other marvelous creations of Mother Nature within the waters of the Dead Sea. For instance, the Round Islands. Located very close to the shore, the Islands are a short walk (not swim) away. 

Right after sunrise, the light shines through the river and the salty bottom is highlighted by the calm water. A good time to take a photo and make all your friends at home jealous ;) 

My treasured little salt island is a large round one with a long tail of smaller islands. It looks almost like a balloon. I wonder what shape you will see in it!

With the afternoon sun setting and highlighting the beautiful colors of the surrounding desert soil, head to your accommodation for the night.

Since the rest of the area isn't very interesting: an afternoon and a night here would be more than sufficient.

Shekdi’s Camplodge is just a 15-minute drive away. A mix of camping and cabins, this place offers reasonably priced accommodation with a unique charm.

I suggest you set your alarm for 4:00 a.m. for the sunrise hike to Masada.

This is definitely a highlight of my trip: to hike Masada at sunrise. 

Masada is an ancient fortress and the last holdout for rebels of the Jewish-Roman war. Until the Romans captured the fortress, the Jewish rebels barricaded themselves here. 

The last surviving fighters. 

Rather than surrender to the Romans, they chose mass suicide. Honor in the face of defeat - a place with a tragic yet heroic history. 

The two-thousand-year-old ruins are located on top of an isolated rock. When you wake up at 4:00 a.m. and hike for an hour uphill, you are rewarded with a hazy sunrise, overlooking the Dead Sea and the untamed landscape of the Desert. 

Walk over the beautiful Mosaic floors and take in the energy from this place with almost no other people around so early. 

Here’s one last tip: 

A great hike spot is the Ein Gedi Waterfall hike. There are many waterfalls in the area and it's up to you to choose your path according to how much time you want to spend exploring. The cooling water and the rich green plants are inviting Oasis in the middle of the hot desert. 

All year round, water flows from the rocks. A great way to escape the heat of the desert is to come here and cool off in the small turquoise water-filled pools. All around are lush green ferns.  

Observe the wildlife around you! Try to spot the loacl goat that gave Ein Gedi its name. Those who are curious can also find Nubian ibexes and rock hyraxes here. 

Ein Gedi is also a Kibbutz, founded in 1953. Prior to the Six-Day War, this place was completely cut off from the rest of Israel. Only after the war did they build a road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. 

In Israel, a kibbutz is a communal settlement. Although some people still rely on agriculture for income, it has shifted over the decades. Visiting this kibbutz provides a unique opportunity to gain a greater insight into a part of Israli society. 

Tourism and agriculture both play an important role in the economy of Ein Gedi. Additionally, they began bottling the spring water. 

Ein Gedi Mineral Water.

However, there is controversy surrounding the reselling of a public resource. 

There is also a botanical garden with over 900 plant species from around the world. With 500 residents,it is the only populated botanical garden in the world. A place to visit, right?! 

What an adventure it was. Take in the incredible landscape while we make our way towards Jordan to see two completely different sites there - exploring world wonders, Petra unesco 
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