Israel - part 2

We started all of our tours right after our 6:30 am breakfast.  Our first day was a day in the desert.

 

First stop: Qumran Caves.  This location, near the Dead Sea, is where The Dead Sea Scrolls were found by accident as some Bedouin boys were playing in the caves here.  A part of every book of the Old Testament except Esther was found, including a complete Book of Isaiah.

 

 

 

This is an "immersion font" found in the ruins there where the Essene Jews once lived.

The sun's rays were shining down on the Dead Sea as we passed it on our bus ride.

We next went to Masada.  We took a tram to the top.

 

 

Herod the Great built this fortress.  Our guide (Daniel Rona), Dave, and Russell rest in an entry chamber of Masada.

The original painted walls can be seen in many of the rooms.

Jewish Zealots took over Masada from the Romans and were besieged there until they finally decided to take their own lives rather than be ruled by them.

This little model shows what it used to look like.  According to our guide, the center tower was much taller, however.

After touring Masada we were able to go to the Dead Sea.  In Hebrew the word for it is "Great Salt Lake".  It is about 1300 feet below sea level with a mineral content of about 27 percent.

We had so much fun floating in it.  But if you have any open wounds it can be painful.

It was pretty rocky on the bottom, so I put on my Salt Water sandals.  They really held up well in all that salt.

Elaine didn't get in all the way so she was a wonderful photographer for those of us who were wet.

The Dead Sea area is a very barren, desolate place.  But I'm glad we got to experience it.