On another Tel Aviv layover, I took another awesome day tour... this time to Masada and the Dead Sea! I can’t believe how many bible stories I passed along the way– from the Road to Emmaus (where Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection), past Bethany (where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead) along Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives (where Jesus ascended into heaven) and then (only minutes later!) into the Judean Desert (where Jesus was tested)! We then passed Jericho and the very caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered until reaching the beautiful blue Dead Sea – across which lie the Jordanian mountains of Moab (from whence came the book of Ruth!)
The Dead Sea... (through the bus window!)
For those of you who don’t know, the Dead Sea is so named for the fact that nothing can live in it due to its’ extremely high salt content. I found it particularly amazing that the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were also located here--
in the lowest and saltiest place on earth (remember Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt after looking back...?!) ...and it is, indeed, largely “deserted” to this day!
We first ascended Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea, built between 37-31 BC by King Herod (!) as a palatial fortress for himself in the event of a revolt... He never did use it but sent his wife there, instead (and then later killed her, too!). It is most known, however, for its use by a group of Jewish rebels and their families, who in 66 AD– during the First Jewish-Roman War and after the destruction of the Temple– fled Jerusalem and settled on the mountain top, using it as a base to fight the raiding Roman Empire.
The ancient ruins of Masada...
Awesome mosaic floor from the Byzantine period!
The oldest synagogue in the WORLD... and the most posh place for Bat Mitzvahs, today! ;-)
...wait- I wasn't ready! ;-)
The tower window...
The end of the story is tragic... The Roman troops surrounded Masada by the thousands and built a ramp by which to storm the fortress... The Jewish freedom fighters, seeing their inevitable fate, decided they preferred death to surrender... And so 900 men, women and children committed mass suicide, together on the mountain plateau. The conquering Roman soldiers burst onto the scene to find nothing but dead bodies, a burning fortress and silence... Today Masada is a Jewish cultural icon and symbol of Jewish freedom from oppression. An absolute must see if you ever go to Israel!
After descending Masada, we drove just a few minutes down the road to the world famous En Gedi spa with mineral mud baths and beach access to the Dead Sea.
The lowest place on the PLANET-- 420 meters (1200 ft.) below sea level!
Unfortunately, no one told me to bring a one piece bathing suit, so when I saw the “conservative undertone” of everyone else, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it in a bikini (lol!). So I coated just my arms and legs and looked ridiculous like everyone else for a few minutes before rinsing off...only to then see another woman from our group going topless! Frankly I found the whole mud bath experience totally overrated and a little... gross!
My friend, Leonardo- getting a little dirt beneath his nails! ;-)
Floating in the Dead Sea, however, was awesome... but don’t shave your legs before you go! and don’t go under!! (Why do I have to learn everything the hard way?!) Nothing can sting your eyes like the wicked salty waters of the Dea Sea!
...yes, I floated, but I'm not posting me in a bikini! ;-)
I stole a couple salt crystals off an immersed bicycle exhibit and a floating barge with a fresh water hose (for those who make the mistake of going under!) :-0
Finally, we headed home and made one stop where I was able to hop on a camel for a ride around the gas station... lol! It was scarier than it looks!
...thank goodness it's over!