Masada and the Dead Sea

The second port in Israel we docked was Ashdod, a huge port only about 15 years old which is the port for the capital,  Jerusalem and its biggest City, Tel Aviv.

We took an extensive excursion here to Masada a mountain fort that is now a Jewish shrine and the Dead Sea for added excitement.

Our bus took us via the outskirts of Jerusalem through the dramatic landscape of the Negev Desert which for thousands of years was a crucial part of the Spice Route. This desert is truly amazing, never seen anything like it before, some towering mountains and others low lying, quite an eerie feeling they had, would hate to get stuck out there all alone and lost, scary. Our guide whilst an Israeli had spent a lot of his early life living in the USA and spoke well, clearly and easily understood.

We then descended to 3600 ft. below sea level toward the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth and to Masada,  a mountain fort that is now a national Jewish shrine and recognised by UNESCO for its unique structure and history and is the most spectacular ancient archaeological site in Israel.

 From the summit looking down to cable car stop

 Looking towards dead sea in background

From the summit showing the canyon where the water flows fast at times.

We then ascended in a cable car  to the summit of this mountaintop fortress, which was built by Herod the Great.  This included  a 3 tier palace, synagogue, baths, the defending walls and the water cisterns that are still to this day considered an engineering feat. 

It was 38 degrees and very little  shade as you walked from section to section, so found it very hot at times. One lady all but passed out and had to go back down the mountain. Tony only walked a little way as has had injured his left knee which was very painful. Spent about 1-1/2 hours wandering around.

We then descended by cable car, there is a good track up the mountain that volunteers built and there were plenty of people on it, but not for us, too hot.

 Water heaters for the baths!

Some of the ruins scattered around the site.

Then short trip to Hotel for lunch, which was meats and salads, quite nice.

After that we changed and ventured out into the Dead Sea, which has more salt and minerals than any other body of water in the world, it is considered to be a natural health and beauty spa....for me couldn’t see any difference in the old body than before I went in! 

Bugger.....It was a great and funny experience floating  effortlessly upon the buoyant waters, easy to lay down but difficult to get back on your feet which sent me into fits of laughter. Sure am glad I did it.

 A born swimmer at peace!!!!!!!

 Oops I thought that was Gloria!!!

Is this a whale!!!!

Then onto Qumran  where there are lots of caves on the hillside. In 1947 a shepherd boy discovered the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world which had laid undiscovered for over 2000 years. Then into the Judean Hills sighting Jericho and then on our way back to the ship. The trip took nearly 12 hours but well worth the time to see such amazing country and views.