ISRAEL - Chapter 7: Ein Gedi

Our last day in Israel we spent down towards the Dead Sea at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Ein Gedi is an oasis in the desert, the largest on the Western shore of the Dead Sea. It's comprised of two main wadiis, with fresh water springs drawing inhabitants for thousands of years.




"Ein Gedi" literally means "the spring of the kid (goat)", and being a wildlife preserve we saw some ibex running around.



















This was our first day to experience any intense heat, as most of our stay was accompanied with milder temps.







Only Wadi Agurot was open for hiking, due to severe flash flood damage in the larger and more popular Wadi David.




To recall some Bible history, this is the very same wilderness where David escaped to and hid from Saul. I can understand how he could have a hidden here for a quite awhile!

























After a loooonng hike, we made it to the "Hidden Waterfall"....




Have to stop and get a pic of our adventurous trio :o)




And of course me and and my wonderful permanent traveling companion ;o)







On our hike back, we stopped to wade in some quiet pools in the stream, having time to discuss and solve the problems of the world ;o) or at least trying to tackle our own ;o)








Utterly exhausted, we had to take a walk down to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the earth!



The salt and mineral content of the Sea is 33%! Compare that to 3% salt for "normal" seas and oceans! The high mineral content makes swimmers INCAPABLE of sinking! It's the wildest feeling ever! You just kinda "bob", thrashing around is out of the question as you DO NOT want to get this water in your eyes! ;o) or in your mouth! eweeee :o)




The mineral fomations on the rocks make quite the sight




Jacob, the Dead Sea, and the hills of Jordan in the distance.




We then sleepily wait to catch our bus back to Jerusalem, a several hour ride...




We then stay up til 2am draining our last possibly bits of fun from dear Mary and Malcolm, and then time to catch our sherut to Tel Aviv to catch our flight out...

Shalom Israel!!! Can't wait to return this fall!!! YEAHHH!!! :o)