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
Hi - what a great update and what an amazing time you are all having. Perth updates - today is Tom's 41st birthday - tonight going to his favourite Italian restaurant with his mum and Gerry. Tomorrow the 4 of us are off to Subiaco to see WCE V Bulldogs - Matilda is extremely excited about this. I head off to Germany and Porto next weekend for 10 days - back for 10 days - then away for 3 weeks - then back for 7 days - then away for 3 weeks. I certainly have enjoyed the last 4 weeks being home and being there for the girls and cooking and enjoying winter in Perth. Another busy few months ahead of this mad travel that I do. Millicent is still at Gym - 3 nights a week and Saturday afternoon - this week she met some Olympic Gymnasts at training and came back to so pumped. She has got to Stage 3 of going to John Curtin High School - a school for the Arts - of which Tom went to - based in Fremantle - logistics issues - but very exciting for her and her interview is on Tuesday. Matilda continues to be the lover of all animals and the environment and the human race and still manages to never be able to tidy up ever after her self. Tom spend the last week in Melbourne for a conference and busy with work and law studies. That is all for now - we miss you all - but love the updates. S
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Tombo.
ReplyDeleteAny chance for a Jerusalem layover next week?
Photo comments.
ReplyDeleteFirst 4 photos are at Masada. The trail up is called the 'Snake path'. Most appropriate.
Military training in the desert.
Attacking ostrich at Hai-Bar
Aust politics update - Leadership spill in Labor Party - Rudd V Gillard tomorrow.....hee hee imagine JHW!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWe will be watching the news and TV with interest next 24 hours for a) soccer results and b) politics results.
We are now in a great 2 bedroom apartment in the Jewish Quarter of the Old city in Jerusalem. We are 5 minutes from the wailing wall.
We noticed MSC has joined the blog. Samantha would love a comment and or a skype please Ms Armstrong. :)
Peace dudes...
ReplyDeleteMy birthday in 15 days!
I got an interview with acting school , John Curtin.
We are looking at a cat for me for christmas!
Dad broke his toe, new name " hobbler".
Bella was locked in my bedroom, and was found barking with the company of 10 wees.
Matilda is matilda. Has an ear infection
xxx milli
Hi Mill,
ReplyDeleteWe sent you something yesterday. Hope it gets there by July 10. Will you be 12?
Good luck for school interview. I am allergic to cats.
How did Hobbles break his toe?
Hello Matilda and Bella.
Yes i will be 12, and i am having a hippie party, where everyone needs to dress ups as hippies.
ReplyDeleteHobbler broke his toe by stubbing it on the bathroom door. Matilda and I thought he was over reacting because he was on his hands and knees and groaning. It was actually pretty funny :)
xxx