Day 10: October 21, Masada to Moshav Faran via Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea

Sunrise at Masada

Unexpectedly, we are sitting in Peggy and Hertzel's house just after 8pm after having finished a light supper, topped off with homemade cheesecake and fresh dates. 

We expected to be in Ein Gedi tonight but our plans changed. This morning we got up at 5:00am and were on the snake path by 5:30. At 6:15 we were sitting on the rocks on the top of Masada (along with about 150 young people) waiting for the sunrise over Jordan and the Dead Sea. There was a full moon as we began our climb and a very warm, brisk wind. The snake path is a 2 K switchback trail with a lot of stone steps. The elevation gain is 450 meters. The climb took us an easy 45 minutes.

As the cable car does not start operations until  8:00 (or whenever they are ready) we had the opportunity to really explore, including climbing down and back up 164 stairs to see the remains of Harod's hanging palace. We debated walking back or taking the cable car and about the time we were ready to leave (after Anita topped up her water bottles) the cable car opened and we opted for the easy $8 ride.

Ein Gedi

When we got back to our hostel, Peggy and Hertzel were waiting for us. They were a day early, on purpose, as they felt a car would really help us manage to get around. We checked out of the Youth Hostel, cancelled our reservation at Ein Gedi, and began a day of adventure. First, Peggy and Hertzel took us to Ein Gedi, to hike the David Spring Trail, a beautiful oasis in the dessert, with waterfalls and ferns, and Ibex. As we were sitting drying our feet, after walking out to a waterfall, a group of Chinese tourists began to say a Catholic Mass, almost blocking our exit from the pond. We slipped out and continued our hike.

Ibex

Float in Dead Sea

Next we went to the Botanical Gardens at Kibbutz Ein Gedi where they have a walking path through a very exotic equatorial garden. We then headed out for lunch followed by the requisite float in the Dead Sea. We wouldn't have been able to easily make it to these sites on our own without a car there is only the hot dry dessert highway between attractions.

Tomorrow we will explore the area around Moshav Faran with Peggy, looking for archaeological treasures. Peggy says "hi" to everyone. We are helping her exercise her English