Israel - Holy Cultures Day 14
Israel - Holy Cultures
Day 14 - Thursday, October 28, 2010 - Judean Desert Jeep Adventure/Afternoon On Our Own/Visit the Dead Sea
Ran let us sleep in this morning. At 9:00 we met our drivers from the Jeep Company who took us on a 4-wheel drive tour of the Judean Desert.
Our driver, Iliad told us this had been the hottest summer and fall on record. As our convoy of four Toyota Land Cruisers left the hotel, it did not take long to figure out that the air conditioning in our vehicle did not work.
We tried to open the windows but because we were following the first truck, we were eating their dust and exhaust. While Dafna, our main guide told us about the geology and the history of the desert in this area, the other drivers rearranged the food and equipment and we were on our way again in another vehicle.
Our ride took us through Wadi Perazim, a dry river bed, and steep canyons as we climbed to the top of Mount Sodom. The eroded bluffs and buttes reminded us of our own Southwest without the different variations of colored rock.
By 10:30 we had reached the summit of the mountain of salt and still we were 557 feet below sea level. From this location we had panoramic views of the southern end of the Dead Sea and the hills of Jordan on the other side.
Dafna explained the production of minerals that we saw in the sea below which is 33.7% salt. Mud is excavated and then processed retaining the valuable potassium, magnesium, and bromide.
Our next discovery was a pillar of salt, known as Lot’s Wife, who looked back on the cities of Sodom and Gomorra. We spent a little time in one of the underground grottoes which was very cool but not very stable as the walls of salt break off and cave-in regularly.
In a dry river bed we had a picnic lunch. While we were getting ready to eat, a beautiful ibex buck pranced along the outcropping of salt right in front of us. After our lunch we drove back to the hotel.
We had a free afternoon to sort some of the thousands of photos we have taken and explore the resort. We hiked down to the hotels right on the beach and walked along the sand to take a few photos of the afternoon bathers.
By 4:30 it was time to write the journal and to get ready for dinner with our OAT friends in the hotel dining room.
Accommodations: Leonardo Hotel, Neve Zohar, Dead Sea - - - Meal: B, L, D
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Comments
Post a Comment!when in jordan last year (oat - red sea) we visited the dead sea from the jordan side. and looked across to israel. we enjoyed our salty float.
Leonardo Hotel Pool and Dead Sea
Toyota Land Cruisers at Wadi Perazim
Lot’s Wife Salt Pillar
Ibex
Dead Sea and Jordan
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