Shal I float back to Jordan?
Trip Start
May 30, 2009
1
18
37
Trip End
Aug 04, 2009
`En Gedi,
HaDarom,
Israel
Saturday, July 11, 2009
1st up i was Mazada, we left seriously early to try and beat the heat but failed miserably - it was a really hot day today even by Israel's standards. After an hour and a half we made it to the foot of the mountains in which the ruins are perched on top.
Olia had to get the cable car up as it would have been impossible for her to climb up in her condition - and dangerous. Greg and I walked up and it was tough - even tougher for Greg but he made it up eventually!
Once at the top I learned about the story - why Mazada is so famous here. The romans were trying to capture the final people in the area and they all ascended up to Mazada to protect themselves from the Romans, it is a very good stronghold and 900+ people went up there
Views around Mazada
. They lasted a year or so as they stockpiled massive amounts of food and water and used a basic rationing system. After a while the romans tried building ramps (which the Israeli's threw rocks down) but they eventually got through the defenses. Rather than conceding defeat and years or slavery the Israeli people commited mass suicide. Only 10 people lived to tell the tale.The ruins themselves were a bit dissapointing but I think the place is justafiably impressive because of this history lesson I just gave and the views over to the dead sea - really remarcable.
After a cople of hours of walking around in the crazy heat Greg and I walked down with Olia in the cable car again and this time it was much easier. Then we drove on another 30 mins to the dead sea - a place called En Gedi.
The dead sea is a lot nicer from the Israeli side. It is free which is always nice, there is shade, showers and the biggest difference is it is very clean! I had a lovely time floating around for a while but I only like it for so long so we got out, had a nice picnic and then drove back and arived back by 3pm ish. A really nice day.
