Holy Land - Day 7

The Dead Sea

Our hotel

Unfortunately, after we got home, all of our Dead Sea photos and videos were accidentally deleted.  Except for this one that LV took of his feet in the Dead Sea.  I will say, it was an amazing experience floating in that water.  So much fun!

We had the choice of a hike or a visit to Masada.  It was recommended that anyone who was afraid of heights or couldn't do a strenuous hike, head to Masada.  LV and D opted to hike En Gedi with H.

Hike to En Gedi 

Looking out over the Dead Sea.   It is prophesied in Ezekiel 47 that fisherman will be casting their nets into the Dead Sea from En Gedi, and it will be full of life.

D and LV

Maybe it was a cave like this that David hid in from King Saul

LM asked to go to Masada, so I went with him

Masada

LM looking out over a wall of Masada

After our visit to Masada, our group had a teaching at the En Gedi trail head.

En Gedi trail head.

After we picked up the En Gedi hikers, we were off to a wilderness experience.  On our way we passed by numerous Bedouin communities alongside the highway.

At the wilderness experience we got to ride camels!

LV is in front on the front camel, D and H are there in the middle.  LM was riding with me.

When we arrived at Abraham's tent, he came out to greet us with water to wash our hands.

After all of the guests arrived (via camel), we enjoyed a large, tasty dinner.

Then we were off to our hotel in Jerusalem.

Holy Land - Day 6

Day 6

Saying good-bye to our kibutz.

 Beit-Shean

An arena where Christians were fed to the lions.

Theater

Columns in the theater.

Roman latrine

 LV is sitting on the hopper in an ancient Roman latrine.  There would have been water flowing beneath the marble slabs to carry the waste away.  If you were a wealthy person in those days, your slave would go warm your marble slabs for you.  Aren't you glad you know now?

Shhhh... Don't tell LV I put this picture on my blog.

Looking down on the Roman ruins from a mound under which is the remains of the ancient city of Beit Shean.

walking down the main city street

Gideon Springs

There was this funky tree, and nobody had a clue what it was.  

The flowers on it were very pretty. 

But the "bark" was like giant thorns! 

The spring where Gideon led his men to drink and the Lord told him who would fight. 

Arrived at the Dead Sea

Looking down from the 14th floor of our hotel.

Coming soon... Day 7!

Holy Land - Day 5

It has been quite some time since I posted photos from Israel.  I think I had better get back at it!  

Day 5

Tel Dan Nature Reserve

A lesson about the sources of the Jordan River.

Nature trail - it was beautiful!

Awaiting the next teaching.

Tonye teaching at King Jeroboam's altar.

The Abraham Gate

Israelite Gate

D climbing into an idol spot.  He missed the sign that said, "no climbing."

Getting the next 2 pictures was crazy!  There were so many people trying to get in for a photo, you had to move fast!  We were patient came away with a few.

The boys at Banias Falls.

H and I were there, too!

The Golan Heights

Captured Syrian tank from the Yom Kippur War.

Our last stop of the day was a retired military base up on the Golan Heights. There is a gift shop and cafe as well.  It was so stinking cold and foggy, but LM did not want to come inside.  He was in his element!  

LM's favorite stop on the entire trip!