Thursday 18 April - Masada, Dead Sea and Jericho

The next day we were up early for the journey to ...

Masada

On the journey to Masada we passed the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in 1947.

Masada, one of the greatest ancient fortresses, was constructed by Herod the Great between 37 and 31BC. 

The cable car to the summit offers a view of the spectacular scenery 

The scene from the top with a view to the Dead Sea

The narrow Snake Path winds up the eastern slope - it can take up to two hours to walk to the top of Masada.

Model of Herod's fortress

The original steam pipes and columns in the steam room.

The stairs linking the various levels of Herod's fortress

The broad plateau is 20 acres in size.

The Jews revolted against the Romans in 66AD and overtook the Roman garrison at Masada. 
Around 74AD the Romans had finally completed a bridge and moved a battering ram up the bridge to smash their way into the fortress. A fascinating story! The old Peter O'Toole film makes interesting viewing. 

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, at 393 metres below sea level, is the lowest place on earth. The percentage of salt in the water is over ten times that in ocean water.

In recent decades the water-line has fallen, in some part, due to drought.

Everyone floats in the dead sea - even a non-swimmer!

No ordinary beach!

It is impossible not to float in this water!

We floated in the water, emerging with an oily feel all over our skin. Then it was off to the mud tubs for more beauty treatment. 

How much would this cost in Australia? 

After our beauty treatment we made our way to....

Jericho

 Barren countryside can be seen in every direction when travelling down the 1066 metres in the 55km journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. 

Sheep and goats on the barren slopes

Stunted vegetation

From Jericho we caught a cable car up to ...

the Mount of Temptation which is traditionally regarded as the mountain on which Christ was tempted by the devil during his 40 day fast.  

While Jesus fasted the devil tempted him three times to prove his divinity.

Greek Orthodox Monastery on the Mount - no visitors are permitted

Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world. Jesus passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. The sycamore fig, the tree which Zacchaeus climbed in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus, still grows in the area.

Life is very simple for people who live in this area.  

The view from the cable car.

The freshwater spring of Elisha in Jericho was once the only source of water for the city.

Sycamore Tree Jericho  - Zacchaeus

Mass 

Fr Tom Carroll, our chaplain, said Mass for us at the summer home of an elderly Christian man who is the owner of the company that provides guides for pilgrims to the Holy Land. It was a moment of great joy as he was very emotional about our faith, the need to bring peace to this sacred land and the importance of their role as custodians of our Christian heritage in this land dominated by Jews and Muslims. 

The Valley of the Shadow of Death 
psalm 23

Travellers came this way in ancient times when travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Travellers were often robbed in this area, such as in the story of the Good Samaritan. 

There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him and beat him up, leaving him half dead. ...

But a Samaritan who was travelling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. Luke 10

Wadi Kelt and the monastery of St George perched on the side of the hill- amazing!

In the distance we can see Jerusalem

Bedouins were at the top of the hill trying to sell all sorts of trinkets to visitors. Just before we left this site, Israeli soldiers took away two boys for questioning - a Jewish driver had claimed his car had been hit with stones as he was driving by. 
What was amazing was how calm the two young boys were as they were being questioned by heavily armed (and very young) soldiers.

Our children don't realise how lucky they are!