We headed first to Masada--an ancient fortress/palace on the tops of a hill top of sorts. There have been movies made of events that may have happened here, but much of that might just be legends. It is an interesting site because of the amount of restoration that has been done and what it tells us about life during the early centuries. Again, if you want to know more--google it!
You take a gondola up and then walk these modern boardwalks into the site itself.
Across many of the walls and floors, you will see this black line. Below it indicates original work still in place. Above the lines are areas which have been reconstructed to match the original design often with blocks and rocks found on site.
Fencing on the site keeps people safe and out of areas not yet studied.
Here a student is recreating a floor pattern by carefully replacing small tiles into the pattern--a job I would not have the patience to do.
That is the Dead Sea in the horizon.
It is hard to get a good perceptive of the site, but look on google for that as well.
It was a genius place to build a stronghold and had some very interesting ways of gathering and storing water on a basically barren hill top.
Before going to the Dead Sea, we stopped at a small museum near where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. They were found in the late 1940s. They contained a wealth of scriptures including the complete text of the Book of Isaiah. I believe it is some of the oldest manuscripts related to the scriptures ever found.
It is so interesting what is still be found in digs throughout the world. We live in such an interesting place which has been filled with interesting people doing interesting things for thousands and thousands of years! Who knows what might be found next week or next year!
To the Dead Sea---The Dead Sea is at 1412 feet below sea level which makes it the lowest sea on earth. it is at 27% salt level (that varies according to the source of information) but makes it one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth. The Great Salt Lake is about 13%. It is noticeable harder to get your feet under you after floating on the surface. It tasted terrible!!
It was a bit of a process to get changed into swimming suits, walk down--wear water shoes for sure--through the mud and down many many stairs to the beach, but we did it and so did Sister Winn who is 80 years old. Her daughter was so determined that Sister Winn was going to float in the Dead Sea that she bought her a $120.00 for the adventure. So Sister Winn felt committed to the process and she did it!
Every good tourist spot needs a camel ride
Heading through the swimmers to get to the beach
Gary and Jena off to check the waters while I guarded our stuff
I am AT the DEAD SEA!!!!
Jena floating
Sister Winn--
Linda, Sister Winn, and Mindy, a woman on our tour who became friends with Sister Winn. Sister Winn got to know almost everyone!
Landi in the mud
Shar and Linda--the mud is suppose to be good for your skin because of all of the minerals.
Fun times. Then it was the process in reverse--up the many stairs, using the crowded showers with no way to keep your dry clothes dry and back on the bus for our next adventures.
This was actually a photo of our first views of the Dead Sea heading to Masada in the morning.
Heading north from the Dead Sea through the west bank to the Sea of Galilee. We saw a number of camels along the way but I couldn't ever get my camera out in time to get a picture. Mostly in the West bank, things were fairly drab and not much farming or other industries were going on.
View from our hotel on the south end of the Sea of Galilee Wednesday night.
Our home away from home for two nights......
A real and hot shower felt great. I couldn't believe it was already Wednesday!! Going home in four more days!
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