Masada,Ein Gedi, Qumran

A picture from the bus window as we approach Masada.

We rode a tram to the top but the ancient path is still available to hike up if you have the time and energy.

Some mosaic work that still survives.

I have loved seeing the old mosaic floors.  The pictures don't do the colors justice.  They are beautiful. These are all from Herod's Southern Palace on Masada.

The black line shows where the walls stones have been restored (up) verses what they found below(original).

This is a replica of what Herod's Northern Palace looked like.  Very impressive and with million dollar views.  

This is what remains today.

 

A front shot of  what Herod's Northern Palace looked like.  He definitively spared no expense on himself.

You can see the Dead Sea from Masada.

 From on top of Masada you can still see the remains of the Roman fortifications.  They threw up a wall all the way around the mountain to make sure no one could sneak up goods or try to escape once the siege started.

The Ludlow Family poses between the pillars of Herod's Northern Castle.

Fresco's still can be seen in the Northern Palace.  Rich beautiful colors.

We now go to Ein Gedi.  David hid in the caves here when Saul was hunting him down.  It is told that Saul went into one of the caves to relieve himself and David happened to be hiding in it. David reached out and cut Saul's garment as a warning to him. 

 The topography is so arid.  The water running down creates these little oasis's.

 Abby making friends with the local critters.

 A magnificent view of the Dead Sea.

A really cool tunnel.

Thomas finds a dead crab that he scares some of the girls with it.  Little stinker.

Beautiful Abby!

1. Qumran is our last stop for the day.  This is the place of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.  Thomas was disappointed that he wasn't able to go into any of the caves.  He has become a little archaeologist and finds fabulous pottery shards wherever we go.  For Christmas he said he wanted a giant old rusty key that they sell in Old Town.