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Up early to set of for the Dead Sea. Me, Tink, Jock, and
Car troubles as we had a parking ticket (I really don't get the parking restrictions. Other cars were parked. There was no sign indicating limitations). On the other hand, the fine wasn't a terrible price for 32 hours parking. So, we got into the car, started it and it seemed dead as a dodo. Thought perhaps the battery was flat but I think it's something to do with the immobiliser. Called Hertz. Gave it another go. It started. Called Hertz again to tell them we don't need their help after all and we set off.
Had to fill up and we had service which was annoying. Would have preferred self service since I speak the same language as the pumps and had more time to work out what I wanted.
But anyway - enough of that - The trip:
Masada
A UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the ancient fortified palace in the Judean desert. Watched a movie about the history of the place. Well, most of it. The power went off just before the end. Took the cable car to the top and saw some history. Some of the bits of the site were remarkably well preserved. The site is at the top of a mountain and about 33m above sea level. This part of Israel is very deep below sea level. Fascinating place. Well worth a visit Overheard someone guiding people talking abut the bathhouse. And asked them to work out what the question they hadn't asked was (how did the water for baths and the several hundred soldiers get to the top of a mountain in the middle of a desert). Still don't know the answer to that one.
Dead Sea
So the Dead Sea has resort hotels and a small mall next to it. Palm trees by the side of the road, showers and changing rooms. It's clearly pretty popular in-season. Right now it's off season. During the winter there's a lot of construction going on and it's pretty empty. It's a chilly 21 degrees (or perfectly pleasant for hardened Brits). Neta is Costa Rican/Israeli so considers this to be cold. Tink managed to brave the water. We eventually persuaded Neta to come in as well.
Swimming in the Dead Sea is fun! You just need to sit and you float extremely easily. It's actually quite hard to stay stable. Had a lot of fun playing in the water.
So, have been to Masada and the Dead Sea. I think those are the remaining Must See places in Israel.
Car troubles as we had a parking ticket (I really don't get the parking restrictions. Other cars were parked. There was no sign indicating limitations). On the other hand, the fine wasn't a terrible price for 32 hours parking. So, we got into the car, started it and it seemed dead as a dodo. Thought perhaps the battery was flat but I think it's something to do with the immobiliser. Called Hertz. Gave it another go. It started. Called Hertz again to tell them we don't need their help after all and we set off.
Had to fill up and we had service which was annoying. Would have preferred self service since I speak the same language as the pumps and had more time to work out what I wanted.
But anyway - enough of that - The trip:
Masada
A UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the ancient fortified palace in the Judean desert. Watched a movie about the history of the place. Well, most of it. The power went off just before the end. Took the cable car to the top and saw some history. Some of the bits of the site were remarkably well preserved. The site is at the top of a mountain and about 33m above sea level. This part of Israel is very deep below sea level. Fascinating place. Well worth a visit Overheard someone guiding people talking abut the bathhouse. And asked them to work out what the question they hadn't asked was (how did the water for baths and the several hundred soldiers get to the top of a mountain in the middle of a desert). Still don't know the answer to that one.
Dead Sea
So the Dead Sea has resort hotels and a small mall next to it. Palm trees by the side of the road, showers and changing rooms. It's clearly pretty popular in-season. Right now it's off season. During the winter there's a lot of construction going on and it's pretty empty. It's a chilly 21 degrees (or perfectly pleasant for hardened Brits). Neta is Costa Rican/Israeli so considers this to be cold. Tink managed to brave the water. We eventually persuaded Neta to come in as well.
Swimming in the Dead Sea is fun! You just need to sit and you float extremely easily. It's actually quite hard to stay stable. Had a lot of fun playing in the water.
So, have been to Masada and the Dead Sea. I think those are the remaining Must See places in Israel.
