Trip Day 22 - Masada and back to Tel Aviv

Official itinerary:

Visit Masada • Qumran Caves

Our day begins with a visit to Masada, where we’ll ascend by cable car to walk among the powerful, 20-acre ruins of this isolated hilltop fortress, where from AD 70-73, Jewish defenders made the last stand of the Judean revolt against Rome.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon to relax or explore Tel Aviv independently before gathering for a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant. 

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Friday September 22

Time to say good bye. Everybody in the group was punctual ... but there was no bell boy and our suitcases were not taken care off. We left 30 minutes late. 

It was already very hot. Selman had to load the luggage into the bus himself and his head was wet from sweat. 

Look what we DIDN'T visit. 

It wasn't far to Masada. There it is but you don't see the grandeur from the road. I had no idea. I should watch more movies. 

First we saw a movie. 

Then up with the cable car. 

Of course one could walk up on foot. 

Yael explains the site on a model. 

Restauration has been done very cleverly. The black lines inside and outside show what had been done. Everything below the line has been found as is. 

The colors in some frescos are incredible. 

There is a lot to see and admire. I have to limit the photos. But here is another model which only shows Herod's palace. 

Herod had even a very sophisticated spa built. This photo shows that it was altered later. Yael says that Herod would have never done anything so crude . 

 

The way they would get water into the cisterns. Amazing. 2000 years ago!

A building to raise pigeons. Food? Or mail?

Next 

Look at the patterns. Even in the walls. 

At this point one in our group feels unwell which meant that we all hurried to get down again. It was hot (very) but James and I could have stayed up there for a while. It was so so interesting. 

The cable car was crammed. 

No chance to take some panoramic photos from the middle of the crowds but I did get the halfway point one. 

Back on the bus

Soon Selman stops and we wonder why. There is the blue sign and a bit above slightly to the left are two horizontal lines on the rock. Those are marks were the Dead Sea levels were 100 years ago. You have seen the roads and the level of the sea on the right ... just imagine. As I said before, the Dead Sea is dying, and Yael explained why. 

Our plan was a bit askew. Yael suggested to stop at the Quran place (Dead Sea Scrolls sect). They had a pretty good cafeteria. But we were so lucky. Just after our arrival the place filled up to the brim. 

Back on the road we saw donkeys between the palm trees (but I didn't get them into the photo). That is on purpose because they eat the weeds and the palm dates can be sold as organic because no chemicals are neede. The donkeys probably do a little organic fertilizing too. 

As before we see Beduins living at the sides of the highway with donkeys, camels and cars. 

Around Jerusalem we also see the Palestine walls again. Sigh. 

In Tel Aviv we have to go first to the airport to drop Carole and Terry off. They are on their way to cruise on the Nile. Bon voyage to them. 

We checked into the Center Hotel again. 

We have to say good-bye to our driver Selman too. He will start another group tomorrow. Lucky people. 

Here we have a room on the fourth floor. We got a bit of a surprise (the willies as my father-in-law would have said). Do you remember the two figures on the telephone in the blog Trip Day 8?

Well, he is on our balcony. 

The group walked to dinner later. I think it was called "The Olive Corner".

We sit opposite Yvonne and Ken. 

And the food pictures:

Spinach salad with fresh dates, lamb. 

Special dessert because of the New Year celebration. Btw the year changed from 5777 to 5778. 

Then we had to say good-bye to everybody. Some are leaving very early. It's always a strange moment when you have spent so much time (3 weeks with most) with each other. We will see who wants to stay in touch. 

Safe travels to everybody!!!