The Dead Sea:a wonderful Place of healing

low cut shoes It's not just about the seawater, though. The thermal sulfur poolsfrom mineral springs may stink and the vats of mud - meant to beslathered on and baked in the sun - might cause the squeamish tocringe, but step right in for a soak and play like a kid. There are plenty of stopping points along the shoreline, fromsimple beaches to places like the Ein Gedi Spa, where visitors cantreat themselves to services such as massages and facials, orlounge around a freshwater pool if the salt becomes too much. Andwhile all of this is tripworthy on its own, there's plenty elsegoing on in the region: first-class hikes and historical andreligious treasures. Bordered by Israel and the West Bank on one side and Jordan on theother, the Dead Sea, which is fed by the Jordan River, is about 40miles long. But the shores are receding each year, at a rate ofabout three feet annually, as incoming water - in a part of theworld where water is gold - is now largely being diverted elsewhereby Israel, Syria and Jordan. Efforts have been taken to find ways to save the Dead Sea, amongthem a proposed "Two Seas Canal," which would pump water from theRed Sea's Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan - and at the southern tip ofIsrael - into the Dead Sea. This idea was born out of anexploratory agreement signed in May 2005 by Israel, Jordan and thePalestinian Authority. But concerns - environmental, political and archaeological - arekeeping this at bay. As is the case with so much in the MiddleEast, solutions don't come easy. --- * JESSICA RAVITZ can be contacted at jravitz@sltrib.com or801-257-8776. Send comments to livingeditor@sltrib.com. Getting there and around * The most frequent direct bus service to the Dead Sea region isout of Jerusalem's central bus station, but there are also directbuses from Haifa, Tel Aviv, Be'er Sheva, Arad, Dimona and Eilat.For a bus schedule and fares, visit www.egged.co.il/Eng/ . Buses stop at all the major sites along the shoreline, but keepyour eyes open as drivers may speed by the one you want. To besafe, check in with the driver so he/she knows where you're going,or ask an Israeli to help you out. * From Jerusalem, a visit to the Dead Sea is an easy day-trip(about 50 miles one way), but if you're interested in a predawn -necessary to beat the heat and catch the sunrise - climb up Masadabefore rejuvenating with a dip in the sea, you might considerstaying in the area the night before. The options range from youthhostels to the luxurious resort hotels of Ein Bokek, rooms at thepopular Kibbutz Ein Gedi or the desert floor near Masada's basewhere backpackers, legally or not, are known to gather. Visitwww.deadsea.co.il for details about accommodations. * If you head to the Ein Gedi Spa, entry is free for guests atKibbutz Ein Gedi, about $16 for others (there are studentdiscounts), and additional fees apply for cosmetic or massagetreatments, which should be booked in advance by calling011-972-8-659-4813. You can learn more at www.ngedi.com . * Visitors also may consider any number of desert hikes in theregion. One of the most popular is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, acanyon rich with trees, flowers, wildlife, streams and waterfalls.Entry fee is about $6 for adults, $3 for children. * Want to bring some of the Dead Sea home? Visit the Ahava Factory& Outlet Store, about six miles north of Ein Gedi, for hair andskin products made with the sea's famous minerals. For more info To learn more about the Dead Sea area - events, places to see,hike, stay, eat and helpful contact information - visitwww.deadsea.co.il. Some tips for Dead Sea dips * Drink lots of water and be prepared for the sun and heat. * Though it's harder to get sunburned at 1,370 feet below sealevel, it's not impossible: Wear sunscreen. * If you have any cuts, know that the water will make them sting.The bigger the wound, the bigger the pain. For this reason, holdoff on shaving till after your float. * Wear water shoes, if you have them, as the salt deposits on thesea floor and shores can be jagged. * Don't splash or attempt to full-on swim. This is not water youwant in your mouth or eyes. * Float on your back, read a paper if you like and simply relax.