Israel / Palestine, Satruday, 26 February

Today we headed south through the Jordan Valley. This is the Judean Wilderness, and is mostly quite barren territory. The hills are very interesting, and there are some green spots at Israeli farms and settlements in the Palestinian Territories.

Herod's Palace. They were excavating
when we were here a few years ago.

Our first destination, and the farthest south we went, was Masada. This is a very interesting hilltop fortress and palace orginally built by Herod. It is amazing for all the amenities it has on top of a free-standing 1300 foot high mountain. After Herod's death, it became a last stand site for Jewish Zealots after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. It fell to the Romans in 73, and except for a few monks in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, has remained an unoccupide ruin since.

Karen on top of Masada

Beginning the return north, we stopped at Ein Gedi for lunch and a float in the Dead Sea. Dick did a repeat float, and found it just as interesting as the first time several years ago. In the picture are Arlice, Dan, and Miriam, three of the five of us who floated.

View across the Dead Sea from
Qumran to Mt Nebo in Jordan

Continuing north, our next stop was at Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. Our guide, Naim, gave us a very complete account of the discovery, as he had participated in some of the work. It was very interesting to hear some "first person" stories.

On the way back into Jerusalem and Bethlehem, we stopped at a roadside market so some members of our group could ride a camel. It was a very brief ride, but they all seemed to enjoy the experience.

Our last stop was in Beit Sahour for some shopping. Dick could not resist adding to our Nativity collection with another one carved from an olive tree large branch. Karen also made a purchase, a pair of Eilat stone earrings to go with her Jerusalem cross. Then it was back to the guesthouse in Bethlehem for dinner and another night.