From Masada and the Dead Sea
Published by Daniel August 1st, 2008 in Travel LogOnce again, I must be brief. This trip is packed, and every chance we get to sleep is valuable. One highlight today was hiking up to the fortress at Masada, which is very significant to Jewish history. A second highlight was swimming in the Dead Sea, which was really cool, er actually warm. It’s hard to describe the sensation of floating in salt water so dense without experiencing it first hand. We’re staying tonight in a hotel right on the Dead Sea.
The photos below are from previous days (haven’t downloaded photos from today yet):
Another camel.
A shepherd’s cave. Unlike what traditional manger scenes would suggest, this is similar to where Mary and Joseph would have been when Jesus was born.
This is the Dead Sea from the eastern (Jordainian) side. This is only a small part of the Dead Sea, but you can start to get a sense for how big it is.
Another part of the same castle that I posted a photo of last time (with Katie in a tunnel).
A Bedouin man walking between two of their tents. We saw a lot of beduins in Jordan.
A shepherd leading his flock to new pastures.
A young shepherd with one of his sheep.
Another shot of the main facade in Petra.
A different facade. This one was used as a monastery.
Pagan Nabatean temple in Petra.
Us at the Jordan River near where Jesus was baptized. We are standing in Jordan, and Israel is on the other side of the river less than 30 feet away.
Alright, that’s it for now! Shalom.
It’s thrilling that you’re getting to do and see all this. I feel ready for a dip in the Jordon myself! Greetings to Micah and Jenn, and Wyn!
Yay! More pictures
Funny note- we went to that exact baptism site too - was there still a tractor on the Israeli side as they’re doing construction?
You take awesome photos thanks for sharing again!
Love to all & I can’t wait to hear your amazing stories.
We “me and family” made a trip to Petra in Jordan in April 2007. it was a piece of art and fabulous.
We flew from Berlin to Amman- Jordan. We traveled at modern buses with a guide/driver.
Our route was Amman, Jerash, Ajloun , Petra , Dead Sea.
On the way we experienced architectural, archaeological, historical and cultural places: noble mosques, interesting museums, ancient castle, unique ruins, stone paths, the lowest point on earth with mineral salty water at Dead sea. Also we went to see how nomads live in their tents.
Before our trip we got a lot of warnings and surprising comments on Jordanians’ hostility toward Westerners. Anyhow in every city, town and village we felt ourselves very welcome and every person was polite and hospitable to us.
Our guide was the best possible guide. His knowledge of Jordan, the past and the present is enormous and his driving style is convincing, A trip with him was like a trip with a friend not with a formal guide. From my experience, http://libertytourism.com/Programs.html is one of the best tours at Jordan where all you may need and ask on one place.
Hans Herrman