Tuesday 6 March 2018

Israel - Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv | TRAVEL

Our third and final full day in Israel had arrived far too quickly. We woke up bright and early, ready for our last day trip!
Today we headed into the Judean Desert towards our first stop; Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Ein Gedi is located on the shore of the Dead Sea and due to its rocky mountainous terrain it is a magnificent hiking location. Follow the trails up the mountain stopping at the waterfalls and natural springs along the way. It is a beautiful oasis on the cliffs of the desert. The reserve is also a home many animals such as; ibex, rock hyrax, leopards, hyena, wolves, foxes, porcupine, bats, snakes, lizards and many species of birds. Ein Gedi is also mentioned many times in the bible:
'And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi'
1 Samuel 23:29
'My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.'
Song of Songs 1:14







Only a short drive away was the next stop on the itinerary; Masada. Masada is a massive mountainous rock about 450 metres above sea level and contains the ancient ruins of the palace of King Herod. The ruins trace back to 31 and 37 BC. A cable car will take you up to the top of the cliff or alternatively you can walk. As someone who is not a fan of heights (or cable cars) - walking seemed like the best option - but unfortunately we didn't have enough time, so I had no choice but to conquer my fears! The views from the top are breathtakingly stunning, with the Dead Sea in front and the Judean Desert completely surrounding you - the journey was worth it. Spend some time walking through the ruins and absorbing the surroundings, imagining what it must have been like all those years ago.






After lunch we carried on with the tour to our final destination for the day and one of the most exciting; The Dead Sea, where we stopped at a private beach for a swim. The Dead Sea borders Jordan, Israel and Palestine and is the lowest point on earth at 430 metres below sea level. It is one of the saltiest waters in the world which means animals or plants cannot live within, hence the name.
Due to the high content of salt, visitors come from all over the world to float in the Dead Sea and encounter such a unique experience. It was the most amazing and natural experiences we have ever done! The Dead Sea is also known for its cosmetics that is made with the salt and many minerals found within the sea. We spent a few hours swimming and relaxing on the beach before heading back to Tel Aviv for our last and final day in Israel.





We woke up the next morning, packed our bags and left the hotel in preparation for our last half day in Tel Aviv. Our plan for the day was to relax and walk through Tel Aviv, stopping at the Carmel Markets for lunch and proceeding towards the beach for a chilled out day. We enjoyed some much needed sun and before jumping back on the plane for London.






One lesson I have learnt about the trip to Israel is to not live my life in fear; instead take any opportunity (pray first!) and live my life to the fullest. I am so glad I never let fear stop me from experiencing what I have. Israel was one of the most life changing and incredible trips I have ever been on for the many reasons I have written about during the past 3 blog posts. I hope that you are inspired to visit Israel or travel to any new destination.


Thank you for reading!

God Bless,
Amber x

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