photo by Megan Snedden

I don’t know about you, but after my late afternoon Masada jog, I like to cool down with a few laps in the Dead Sea. WTF?!

Kind of kidding, but really, that’s a pretty close depiction of one of my days in Israel. After spending the early morning at the Bahá’í Gardens, a UNESCO world heritage site that gives Versailles’ manicured lawns a run for its money, we jetted off to Masada only to get stuck in  desert traffic, rerouted by sink holes and IDF operations. After racing up and down the mega-rock we drove to our home for the night, Herods Dead Sea: a secluded spa & resort with one of the best dinner & breakfast buffets I’ve ever had.

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While the facilities, like the sulfur pool and the spa were remarkable, the construction going on around the hotel was a bit of a distracting eyesore and I wondered if we got there right before the area became a resort strip. Nevertheless, it was on the Dead Sea!

That evening, I started with a sunset knee-deep stroll and I could feel the buoyancy immediately. The water, extremely high in salinity and rich with minerals, creates an almost oil-like layer on your skin when you emerge. Seeing this place as the sun set reminded me of renderings of Mars: bare, crater pocked mesas with water reflecting the oranges and purples of the sunsets. Such a privilege.

The next morning, after a hefty breakfast and not waiting two hours to swim, I took my full body dip and mud bath. I wore jellies that I bought for the trip because water shoes are kind of dorky and the hotel waterfront had some pretty rough stones. It was amazing: relaxing, rejuvenating and a surreal experience. The Dead Sea’s healing properties are known throughout the world — I think I’ve discovered Bar Refaeli’s secret. After that morning, my skin was glowing for a week, my hair was conditioned, full of shine and I felt really zen.

Middle finger to all of my Waukeela camp swim counselors that said I would never float! It’s all good baby babayyy.

*Word to the wise: do NOT shave the morning or night before going into the Dead Sea. Trust me, you’ll thank me.

photo by Megan Snedden

photo by Megan Snedden

serenity now!

best mud facial

Salt deposits

gorgeous little walkway we found a few paces away from the hotel

Get my look!