Saturday December 12: Masada and the Dead Sea

We got on the Shabbath Control elevator this morning and thought we’d never get from the 7th floor to the first, but we made it in time for breakfast.

We left Jerusalem for our journey southeast to the Dead Sea area.  We got our first look at the Judean hills and desert area.

Nothing but hills and desert, very little vegetation.

Another view of the Judean desert traveling east from Jerusalem.

The ridges on the hillside were created by sheep and goats moving through the desert across the centuries.

Herd of sheep and goats along the road.  What do they eat?

Beduoin village beside the road (photo taken from a speeding bus).  Many Beduoins can afford to live in better circumstances, but choose not to.

As we left the Judean hills, we encountered some agriculture.  This is a date palm plantation.

At a rest stop we saw a Nubian Ibyx.  Great crossword puzzle word.

On our way out of the Judean hills we passed the sea level sign.  From this point on we are below sea level.

A short camel ride was available at our rest stop.

Next stop is Masada, a plateau approximately 1300 feet high overlooking the Dead Sea.  This fortress was built by King Herod in the first century B.C. and served as a supply garrison for the Roman military plus a palace for Herod.  At the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 73 A.D., Jewish zealots captured Masada from the Romans and held out here.  The Romans subsequently surrounded the plateau and built an attack ramp to the top.  Rather than being defeated by the Romans and made slaves, the zealot men chose to kill their women and children and then commit suicide.  They felt it was better to die than to be a slave to the Romans.

The Masada plateau.  The three levels of Herod’s palace can be seen on the right side of the plateau.  The Snake Path leading up to the top can be seen on the lower and mid right.

Cable car ride to the top with the Dead Sea in the background.

Scale model of Herod’s palace (three levels) and Roman garrison in the background.

Topography and Dead Sea from Masada looking east.  Due to diversion of water from the Jordan River for agricultural and human needs, the Dead Sea has shrunk and divided into two parts, creating a land bridge to Jordan.  Hills in distance are in Jordan.

 

Ruins of synagogue atop Masada.

This is an original fresco from the Roman baths.

Another fresco from one on the Roman baths.

Israeli flag flying on Masada.

Tom and Susan at the top of the (Israeli) world.

Remains of Roman encampment from conquest of the zealots.  There were 15 of these encampments surrounding Masada.

 

Having taken the cable car to the top, Tom decided to walk down the Snake Path, so named because of its winding nature, not because of reptiles present (otherwise it would have been the cable car down).  The hand rails are not original.

Steps on the Snake Path.  That’s a sheer drop off to the left of the steps and a long way down.  What happened to the hand rails?

Prayer sign at Masada.

After our safe descent  we boarded the bus to the Dead Sea.  Being able to float like a rock, I’d always wanted to challenge the Dead Sea.  Well, guess what.  Everyone becomes a cork.

 

Susan and Genna Curry are standing straight up in water over their heads.

After our outing at the Dead Sea we returned to Jerusalem for one final night in Israel before continuing our journey to Jordan.  We walked down to the Old City for one final look and a nightcap. 

A giant menorah was being lighted by a man in a cherry picker and a big crowd was gathered outside the Jaffa Gate.  This was the second night of Hanukkah.

Dancing in the streets after the menorah lighting.

Man wearing formal mink Sabbath hat at the menorah lighting although the Sabbath was technically over.

After our nightcap it was back to the Dan Panorama for a good night’s sleep.  We leave for Jordan in the morning.