Saturday, November 08, 2008

Dead Sea Area

The Romans had to build a seige ramp. Herod had to climb the face. I like the cable car option to ascent to Masada.

Inside a Roman bath built on the top. This whole place is a wonder.
Next, a stop at Qum'ran nto see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Her is one of the easily seen caves.
The next stop to just to float in the Dead Sea. You can't sink in the 35% salt water, but have to be careful not to drink.

On the way back to Jerusalem, we stopped at the village of Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary and the place where Jesus brought their brother Lazarus back from death. This the a mosaic from a 5th century church build in the town.
Today, Bethany is a sad looking, somewhat run down village that is in a fog between Israel and the Palestinian controlled areas.