Soaking in the Seaweed: Irish Spa Bliss Immersion

I am in the west of Ireland, immersed in a seaweed bath at the Spa of Delphi Mountain Resort, slithering around in rubbery green strands of kelp. The salty odor reminds me of my childhood at Bailey Beach in Rowayton, Connecticut, where I would try to pop the seaweed during low tide. I didn’t care for the smell then, but here, it doesn’t bother me. It’s part of the healing properties. I lay back in the steamy water and stare out at a perfect view of the velvety green hills of Mweelrea Mountain range, the tallest mountains in Connemara. I move the ropey kelp around the tub the same way I push foam into little mounds when I’m soaking in a bubble bath.

Seaweed is the oldest form of life on the planet and is full of beneficial ingredients. The Polynesians knew of seaweed’s curative powers and used it to treat skin wounds. The ancient mariners called it “the Sailor’s Cure” and used seaweed oil to help cure illness. For centuries, the Irish relied on seaweed’s therapeutic benefits to see them through the cold and flu season. I’m doing the seaweed for a different reason altogether: it beats climbing Jacob’s Ladder.

Jacob’s Ladder is a 50-foot-high rope ladder, one of the many outdoor adventures offered by the resort’s Adventure Program. You wear a helmet, a climbing harness, and are attached to a safety line so you can never fall more than a few feet. The purpose is to climb to the top of the ladder, and to get there, you are belayed up the rope by a teammate. Basically, your safety is in someone else’s hands, and in this team exercise, you learn to trust others. Just as importantly, you have to trust yourself because the climb gets tougher every rung up.

A few years ago, I did a similar rope ladder climb at the New Age Health Spa in Neversink, New York. It was called the Corporate Ladder, and was part of a rambling Alpine Tower with suspended wooden ledges, rope swings, and thick wire cables. As with Jacob’s Ladder, you ascend by swinging your legs over the wooden beam and hoisting yourself up to the next rung. To make it even scarier, the entire tower shook with each movement.

At New Age Health Spa, I’d started up the Corporate Ladder and was doing fine until I noticed that as I climbed higher, the rungs were spaced further apart. “Hey,” I called down to the guide, “The higher I go, the harder it is to get up.”

“Why do you think they call it the Corporate Tower?” she yelled back.

The canvas straps of my climbing harness were digging into my thighs so tightly that I was sure I’d be bruised for life — if I made it back down alive. I adjusted my helmet and kept going, but suddenly, I could go no further. I was paralyzed with fear — too high to go down, and too tired to go up anymore. My throat was so parched I could barely swallow. I stood there, clinging to the rung as below, my teammates shouted their encouragement. I wanted them to lower me down, but that would be admitting failure, so I took a deep breath, grabbed for the bar above me, and with every last ounce of strength, pulled my body upwards. Miraculously, I was able to hoist myself to the next rung. And the one above that. But one rung remained, so far above only a giant would be able to swing his leg over it. I tried to haul myself up but couldn’t. “It’s impossible,” I called down.

“You can do this,” the guide called up. I took a deep breath and pulled as hard as I could, finally managing to haul myself up to the rung. From there, I stepped onto the top of the platform and pumped my arms in victory. I’d done it and couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. It was like winning Olympic gold.

I stood in the forest clearing in Ireland, looking up at the top of Jacob’s Ladder, remembering how tough my climb had been. I’d already proven I could do it – why did I have to prove it again? It was drizzling and cold outside, not a great day to attempt climbing a slippery ladder. I gave it one last glance and headed back to the Delphi Spa where I changed into a fluffy robe and headed straight for the Seaweed Bath.

I laughed as I ran strands of kelp through my fingers, soaking in the briny tub. I always dare myself to try new challenges, but I never allow myself enough time to relax. And for the first time in what seemed like forever, I’d given myself permission not to have to do something. Let the angels climb Jacob’s Ladder into the rainy sky. I was a mermaid, splashing in my green sea.

Margie Goldsmith, the Adventure Spa Writer for healinglifestyles.com has been to 115 countries and written about her adventures in all of them.