6th Post - Friday, April 4 - Masada and Ein Gedi

Today was a change from the chaos of the urban, cultural, and political

to the stark scenes of the Dead Sea and the rugged hills. From 3000 feet above sea level in Jerusalem, we dropped down to 1400 feet below sea level to the Dead Sea - lowest spot on earth.

We climbed Masada, where nearly 1,000 Jews died in a 'murder/suicide' pact during a siege by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.
Half of our group rode to the top by cable car and the other half climbed to the top via the Snake Path, an elevation gain of 900 feet!
From Masada we continued to Ein Gedi and the Waterfalls of David. What a beautiful oasis in the desert with lovely waterfalls and greenery.
In the evening we went to a synagogue for Sabbath (Shabbat) service and finished with a Shabbat dinner back at Tantur.

Lush Date Groves stand in stark contrast to the desert hills.

Rugged badlands between Masada and the Dead Sea

Riding the cable car, while hikers below climb via the Snake Path

Joe and Don struggle to complete their trek up the Snake Path.

Rugged hills to the northwest of Masada

Renee and Gladys atop Masada - the Dead Sea and Jordan in the background

Hiking to the Waterfalls of David at Ein Gedi

Lower Falls and a refreshing pool

The hike gets steeper going on to the upper waterfalls.

Fresh water in the foreground and the Dead Sea in the background

Upper Falls of David and some of our group

Ferns and moss - lovely and cool

Upper Falls of David

Mark and Kate on the way back down

The Dead Sea with the country of Jordan beyond

We concluded the evening with Sabbath Service at the Kol Ha Neshama Synagogue.