20th May 2008
During our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, my friend and I decided to venture into the Judaean Desert to visit Masada. Jerusalem stands on a hill and, less than five minutes after leaving the city, we were heading down a steep road through desert scenery towards the Dead Sea, thousands of feet below sea level.
Driving Through The Judaean Desert Towards Masada
About two hours out of Jerusalem we reached Masada. This is a flat-topped mountain in the Judean Desert, where King Herod built his fortress. We took a cable car and, on reaching the top, were rewarded with superb views of the Dead Sea and the surrounding desert.
By Cable Car to the Top of Masada
View Down to the Cable Car Station
The View from the Top of Masada
We strolled around the various ruins spread along the plateau, while our guide for the day, Solomon gave us a running commentary on the history.
Ruins Atop the Plateau
Ruins Atop Masada 2
Ruins Atop Masada 3
Ruins Atop Masada 4
Ruins Atop Masada 5
Ruins Atop Masada 6
Cisterns Carved Out From The Rock To Conserve Rain Water
Solomon told us about the siege that had taken place at Masada, when the Romans had surrounded the mountain in 70AD. The Jews who lived there held out, but the evening came when capture was inevitable. The Rabbi called together the elders, and they jointly decided to commit suicide, rather than be captured by the Romans. The men would kill their wives and children by the sword. Ten men were chosen, who would be responsible for the killing of all the other men, one of these ten being the final man to die. When the Romans finally set foot on top of the mountain they found 963 massacred men, women and children. Later, one woman and two children were found still alive, hence the story lives on. This tragedy has since been immortalised on film, fittingly called “Masada”, with Peter O’Toole in the lead role.
Solomon, Our Guide
Looking East Towards the Dead Sea
Desert Birds Enjoying Shade From The Midday Sun
View Over the Judaean Desert
The Snake Pass Winds Its Way to the Top
Stunning Desert Scenery and the Dead Sea
Julie and I decided to seek shade from the debilitating heat, and sauntered away from the main group. The temperature was 39 degrees centigrade. Needless to say we got completely lost and Solomon eventually found us feeling very sorry for ourselves. After the descent by cablecar and a refreshing lunch, we began our return journey alongside the Dead Sea.
Leaving Masada Behind and Heading Towards Ein Gedi Spa
After an hour or so, we reached the mineral spa of Ein Gedi.
Arriving at Ein Gedi Spa
A Beautiful Place to Chill, after the Intense Heat of Masada
Plenty of Shade beside the Sea
The Dead Sea is also known as the Salt Sea, because of its mineral salt composition, which is very good for the skin. People were floating effortlessly; a few women were covering themselves in black mud from the seabed. I passed on that one.
Cooling Off in the Dead Sea
We spent a couple of hours chilling out here in this beautiful spot, before returning to Jerusalem.
Thanks for the attendance in our Blog.
Good weekend.
Greeting, Gisela and Wolfgang
Have a great weekend. Blessings
How strange history is to have bathers enjoying a summer swim at the foot of Masada…. I am grateful for these photographs. You’ve given form to my virtual travels through printed word of the place. I can imagine this had quite an emotional impact on you …not to mention the heat. So glad you posted.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. You’re right about the emotional impact. In fact, the whole pilgrimage affected me deeply. One day, I will return. Blessings.
What a place of magic, suspended in time! Love your photos. I would love to visit there one day myself!
Thank you. It is simply magical, and visiting there was a dream fulfilled. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
Our Pastor and his wife had the chance to go to Masada, and shared some of their experiences with us. The stories are so horrible and haunting, yet fascinating! Your photos are a great way to share a beautiful place with all of us!
Thank you. Masada was a strangely moving experience. It has seen tragedy on a large scale, and yet the whole place is so beautiful, haunting almost. Blessings xx
Wow!Wonderful post,stunning photos!
Glad you like them. Apologies for the delay in replying. I’ve been away for a few days, minus my laptop!! Blessings xx
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Wow, those are amazing photos!
Thank you very much. Actually, no one is more amazed than me. The midday sun was incredibly bright and I couldn’t see a thing through my camera. It really was a matter of ‘point and click’. Follow this with automatic editing by Nero, and these are the results. xx
WOW! What a great post, fascinated me. The view is amazing and you captured so nice photographs but there is one of them, I loved so much
Desert birds… the composition is amazing. Thank you and also Thanks for visiting my blog. I am glad to meet you, with my love, nia
I’m so happy to meet you, too, Nia, and thank you for your lovely comment. I visited your site briefly and I will be returning to take a better look. Thank you for all the likes and for following. Blessings from Lizzie Joy xx
All I can say is “WOW!”
thank you!
Thank you! Blessings xx
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place. I always find pictures of the Holy Lands & area intriguing. Yours are so life-like that I experienced some height fright! Did you while you were up there? ~ Wendy
Thank you. It is a beautiful place. I’m not very comfortable with heights and it was the first time, for me, in a cable car. But the strange thing is I was so excited with the whole trip, having dreamed about it for many years, I forgot to be afraid. I didn’t even notice the height!! I love Israel/the Holy Land. I left a piece of my heart there. One day, I hope to return. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
Thank you so very very much for sharing your photos! I have always wanted to visit Israel!
Thank you. Israel is beautiful. My pilgrimage was amazing. If I had the chance to live anywhere in the world, it would be Israel. The scenery is stunning, the atmosphere is magic, the history is mind-blowing. It holds a special place in my heart, not least because the Great Master Jesus walked there. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
I would absolutely love to hear more about it! It sounds amazing!
These are gorgeous Lizzie Joy. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us.
Thank you so much. I’m pleased you enjoyed them. I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2008 and we took a day trip down to the Dead Sea while we were staying in Jerusalem. There’s a lot more on the Holy Land to come. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
I look forward to it.
Hi Lizzie!
I have nominated your blog for the Adventurous Blogger Award! I would be very grateful if you accept. Thank you
.
http://manishamishra.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/adventurous-blogger-award/
I am most honoured to be nominated for yet another award from the blogging community. I am very happy to accept. Thank you. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
Thank you and congratulations once again
Amazing pictures Lizzie.
Thank you so much. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
beautiful pictures, Lizzie. Thank you for sharing.
Ciao, Francina
Grazie, Francina. Ciao. Lizzie Joy
Beautiful pictures! Looks like a fantastic trip! My favorite mask is mineral mud mask form the dead sea – Delavia. there’s nothing like it for your face and skin!
It was a wonderful holiday/pilgrimage. We visited the Ahava Factory on the Dead Sea and bought some of their products. Lovely. Blessings from Lizzie Joy
Masada looks like it would make a powerful impression on the visitor.
It is a stunning atmospheric place. Although if I ever get to return there, I will pick a cooler day. The midday sun was sweltering up there, as you can imagine. Blessings from Lizzie Joy