IMG_0071.jpg
Resort on Shores of Dead Sea -- 17 & 18 Nov 2011
The water level of the Dead Sea has been dropping probably more than one foot per year of over 20 years (probably longer, but I did't see any really long-term numerical data.
The amont of the drop is quite evident in this "near-the-beach" area. You can see how their walls and steps that provide access from the patio containing the beach chairs has been modified at least once. Now they also have this jury-rigged aluminum ramp to provide a walkway over the rocks for people to use to enter the water. It's probably a losing battle.
These people are floating in the water, not standing (you can see that the legs of the woman on the right hand side of the photo are extended horizontally in front of her). The "proper" way to do this is to float in the water in a sitting position, like you are sitting in a chaise lounge. I saw one woman "sitting/floating" like that reading a book (but she may have had the book with her for posing for a photo).
Because of the high salt content of the water, you float VERY high.
Most of the people at the shore at this time (early morning) seemed to be Russian,
