We now go live to the boxing ring - here’s the match announcement:

Fighting out of the blue corner, wearing yellow trunks with orange-purple trim, standing approximately 430 meters below sea level, and weighing in at approximately 147 Cubic km, is the former ultra-heavyweight champion of the world for millions of years, the “Sea of Death.”

Fighting out of the red corner, wearing green trunks with black trim, standing on average 160-180 cm tall, and weighing in at an average of 60-80 kg, is the reigning middleweight champion of the world for the past few decades, he goes by the name of “Human.”

While it might be amusing to think of it as a boxing match, the reality is that the conflict between humans and nature is in full-force around the Dead Sea, and with everything dialed-up to extremes in the area - the boxing match seems more like a wild mixed martial arts match.

Children enjoy a hot summer day in a pool at Ein Feshkha, also known as Enot Tzukim Nature Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the Judean Desert alongside the shores of the Dead Sea

A man riding a donkey passes between camels in Kfar HaNokdim near the city of Arad, in the Judean desert, Israel

Children play at the beach during sunset near Ein Bokek in the Dead Sea, Israel

A general view of the Dead Sea from Route 90

People swim at Ein Bokek beach in the Dead Sea

I remember a time, not very long ago, in which the fight between mankind and nature around the Dead Sea seemed mellower. The sea water used to reach the main road, and some of the beaches that are now closed and off-limits due to sinkholes, were a great place to spend a day. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; The Dead Sea is still a sight to behold, the tourism infrastructure is much improved (some claim this is part of the problem), the roads safer, and there is a lot to see around, especially if history and/or archaeology are your thing (don’t miss Masada and Qumran National Parks).

Surely, this old boxer still has some fancy tricks up its sleeve, its grace is only slightly faded, and to use a famous boxing phrase which seems appropriate here, given the buoyant force in play - it can still “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Just make sure you take it easy on him, show some respect and remember he was boxing well before you even existed.

A sunrise view of the Dead Sea from the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert

Hikers climb up the ‘Snake Trail’ to the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert

Visitors at the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada in the Judean desert

A view of the Herods Dead Sea Hotel in Ein Bokek, during sunrise in the Dead Sea

A tourist covered in mud enjoys a hot summer day at Kalia Beach in the Dead Sea

People enjoy a hot summer afternoon at Ein Bokek Beach in the Dead Sea

A view of the Dead Sea hotel complex in Ein Bokek

Nahal Og Canyon in the Dead Sea region

Hikers in Nahal Og Canyon in the Dead Sea region

A view of the Judean Desert during a Tomcar tour in the Dead Sea region

Mountains reflect in a pool at Ein Feshkha, also known as Enot Tzukim Nature Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the Judean Desert alongside the shores of the Dead Sea

Pools at Ein Feshkha, also known as Enot Tzukim Nature Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the Judean Desert alongside the shores of the Dead Sea

Tour buses and camels are seen at Kfar HaNokdim near the city of Arad, in the Judean desert

People take part in a camel riding tour at Kfar HaNokdim near the city of Arad, in the Judean desert

A waterfall in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, in the Judaean Desert

A hiker pauses near the David Waterfall in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, in the Judaean Desert

Tourists take photographs of the Dead Sea from a viewpoint along Route 90

People swim at Biankini Beach in the Dead Sea

The photos in this post are part of a commission for Fattal Hotels chain. To see more photos, please head over to the commissions page.

David Vaaknin

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