Israel - Day Thirteen & Fourteen

After leaving Jordan we finished up the final 2 days of our trip in the Dead Sea area. Towering 1300 feet above the Dead Sea is the fortress of Masada. From the height we were standing the view over the Dead Sea is breathtaking. The Dead Sea is actually 1300 feet below sea level. So even though we were standing on this impressive mountaintop, we were actually at sea level. Taking years to build, this palace was built as a refuge by Herod the Great in case he ever needed a safe retreat. In case of an attack, the almost inaccessible mountaintop fortress was a storehouse of supplies. He cut 2 extensive systems of cisterns into the rock to provide water in time of siege. To keep people in the fortress from being starved into surrender, Herod constructed huge sections of storehouses on the north part of the mountaintop. Herod never had to use Masada's massive defenses. In fact, he never even set foot in this impressive palace. However, years later Masada's defenses were put to the test. In 66 A.D. a group of Zealots captured Masada and used it as a refugee camp as they waged war against the Romans.
Later that day, we had a chance to dip our bodies into the infamous Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has a salt content of over 30%, 10 times saltier than most oceans. It is because of this high salt content that it is impossible to sink in the Dead Sea.

People come from all over the world for it's theraputic waters and mud baths. The water is actually a chemical solution. So prior to entering the water you must remove any metal you are wearing and limit yourself to about 20 minutes in the water. Because of the high rate of evaporation, the Dead Sea is losing about 1 meter per year. It is really obvious how much has already been lost. There are hotels that have been built about 15 years or so ago, who at the time built their hotel on the shore of the Dead Sea. Now, due to such loss, they need to shuttle visitors to the beach one kilometer away.

With that being said, it was such a fun day. We were all in fits of laughter. The sensation of floating like a cork was strange and foreign to us all. Although the water was a bit cool at first, once we were in we had a great time.

The following morning we departed the Dead Sea and made our way to the airport in Tel Aviv. This trip really was the trip of a lifetime. There were so many moments that I will treasure for a lifetime. I've learned so much that to digest all that info will take me years to come. So if you have never visited Israel, you must. The land is so diverse. It is filled with history and tradition that is a marvel to see. I can't say it will happen anytime soon, but I do hope to be able to walk upon the Holy Land again.