On Wednesday we left the kibbutz. Spent the morning at Hai-Bar, an animal reserve trying to bring back nearly-extinct indigenous animals to repopulate the area. Pecked at by ostriches, nearly run over by a Somali Wild Ass, almost kicked out of the park by irate ranger when Arron against all advice of the women in the car drove off the main road.
We all agree it's a nice change to be back in a car again! Funny how things you take for granted become special.
Drove that evening to Mitzpeh Ramon, the Grand Canyon of Israel. We arrived at a fairly empty Bedoin campground to spend the night, then took off for lovely hike down a wadi that was unexpectedly lush. Pools of water in the middle of the desert, and animal life abounding. Awakened through the night by the dogs barking at wolves - not a worry for us as we were in a room - however the fat Finnish tour group in the open-sided tent may have found someone gone missing.
More Mitzpe in the morning - Elinor's first big hike. She's determined to do it, having been left out of hikes so far on account of being little. A great start, followed by mega-shwarma lunch in town before driving on to Masada, passing a large group of ibixes on the way. The Masada hostel is unlike any hostel I've ever known previously - very clean, very roomy and most importantly with an unbelievable pool. Welcome relief! There we slept at the foot of legendary Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea.
Up 5 am for the hike up the Snake Path to the top of Masada. Jake in backpack, Samantha on her own, Elinor being pulled by one parent and pushed by the other. But we made it - 60 minutes! Spent probably 2 hours on top of Masada, appreciating the view and the ruins. Amazing piece of history. The cable car ride down was pretty good too.
Arrived this afternoon at Ein Gedi, which sits next to a wadi that runs into the Dead Sea....but too hot for us to visit this afternoon...waiting for the a.m.
Arron highlights: Mitzpe Ramon crater, getting up pre-dawn for a family hike up Masada. Humus
Amy highlights: Masada 25 years later. First avocado in 6 weeks. The freedom of the car. My nap today in air-con while World Cup soccer on TV. Surprising amount of wildlife here.
Samantha highlights: Yotvata ice cream, Hai-Bar ostrich nearly getting Dad, hiking up Masada, sleeping at the moment, sitting next to Jake in the car, seeing all the Roman stuff was really cool
Elinor highlights: Communicating with Jake, swimming pool at Masada, cable car down Masada
