DEAD SEA, ISRAEL - I had finally reached the lowest point in my life, and it had nothing to do with the fact I was floating 412 metres below sea level – the lowest point on Earth - in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

No, my lowest point occurred the evening before when a large Russian woman stripped me of my dignity - and underpants – during a Dead Sea mud treatment I was enjoying at the palatial Le Meridian Hotel’s spa. Let me explain.

Like every tourist who ventures to this part of amazing Israel, I was intent on sampling the soothing effects of the Dead Sea’s water and mud – both highly recommended in the treatment of certain skin conditions like acne and sclerosis. Many European governments actually subsidize trips to the Dead Sea for those citizens suffering from the aforementioned skin irritations. I was only interested in the soothing effects the mud and water are supposed to have on one’s body.

Enter the Russian therapist I spoke of earlier. Her English was as poor as my Russian. Through a series of hand signals, though, the woman with the bright, cheerful face got the message across that she wanted me to put on some disposable underwear the spa supplies its guests. The mud is so rich with minerals that it stains most materials – even bathing suits - hence the disposables.

She then motioned for me to lie down on a table covered in plastic and without hesitation began applying the thick, hot black mud to my sunburned body. The heat of the mud made me twinge but that didn’t stop the Russian woman from proceeding.

After covering my entire body with the rich mixture, the woman wrapped me in the plastic. She then walked towards the entrance, motioned at her watch before turning out the lights and disappeared, leaving me in the darkness looking like a wrapped candy bar. I had no idea how long I was suppose lie there but soon I felt myself slipping into sleep.

What seemed like a few seconds later – I had actually been asleep almost 20 minutes – I awoke to the woman’s bright face hovering above me.

“Good?” she asked.

“Good!” I responded.

Finally, we were communicating.

Above: The shores of the Dead Sea are lined with modern hotels.

The woman then sat me up, and, still wrapped in the plastic, helped me hop to a shower stall where she began peeling away the clear wrapping. She ordered me to face the tiled wall and, using a hand-held shower head, began washing away the mud. Memories of making mud pies on the beach in my youth came rushing back as the thick goo spiraled down the drain.

The mud and water were combining to create a soothing sensation when, without warning, the woman grabbed the waste band of my disposables and with one mighty tug ripped them off, leaving only a thin layer of mud between her prying eyes and my body.

She didn’t bat an eye lash – just kept showering me and then, when all the mud was gone, waved and disappeared again - leaving me exposed to yet another of the enjoyable things this beautiful country offers visiting tourists.

The Dead Sea is a fascinating place - a town of about 20 four and five-star hotels and little else. The mud and water are the main attractions here but the surrounding desert landscape, highlighted by huge caramel-coloured cliffs that hang over the Dead Sea’s turquoise waters, will leave you gasping with delight.

And there is no better place to fully appreciate the surrounding terrain than while floating in the sea’s oily waters. Because of the high concentration of minerals and salt, the water here actually feels like oil and just slips off your skin – no need to bring a towel.

Over the centuries, millions from around the world have come to the narrow 18-kilometre long body of water that is so shallow in spots you could walk across to neighbouring Jordan. It’s not recommended though – one of the sink holes that line the shore may swallow you.

Many Israelis and Europeans come here on their annual holidays. You can tell them apart from the first-time tourists, though. They are the ones floating on top of the water, reading a newspaper while a glass of their favourite brew bobs beside them. Amazing!

The reason things float effortlessly on the Dead Sea is because unlike other bodies of salt water where the mineral concentration adds up to between 3.2 and 3.5 per cent, the levels here are 37 per cent.

Besides the tourism industry that has surfaced here, the Dead Sea also supplies the country with some vital natural resources for export. The salt, potassium, magnesium and bromine extracted from the water is shipped around the world.

According to scientists, you’ll also feel more relaxed and get better sleeps on a visit to the Dead Sea because of the extra bromine (used in gasoline and solutions for developing photographs) in the air. However, some point to the mineral extracting industries that line the Dead Sea shores for causing the unique body of water to rapidly recede in recent years.

There’s no better example of that than at a spa facility built a short ways from here at the Kibbutz Ein Gedi. When it first opened about 10 years ago, the Dead Sea’s waters lapped the shores of the health spa. Now, guests have to be transported to the shore – a good 100 metres away.

Because of its low water level, the Dead Sea area is much safer for sunbathers because the harmful rays are less intense here.

Ironically, the Dead Sea may also have to change its name. Scientists recently discovered a bacteria existing in the water where previously it was thought living things could not exist. NASA scientists in the United States are studying the bacteria to find out how they can apply the amazing discovery to space exploration.

No wonder most people feel alive again after a visit to the Dead Sea.