Day 2 of Israel

We had an amazingly early start today, checking out by 8.30am (yes, Henry actually made it!) and leaving Jerusalem and crossing the Judean Desert to the lowest place on earth, via the new Jericho Rd and then heading north via the Jordan Valley. Driving along the valley, we were 400 metres below sea level (the same level as the Dead Sea).

After about 2 hours driving, Avi pulled in to the Beit Shean archeological site. This site had the remains of a Roman city, with the large Roman bath house partially excavated, amphitheatre, building with latrines and main street – it was fascinating to see, but also incredibly hot – the temperature gauge on the van was showing 40.5 degrees when we left – and it felt it. Now we were off to lunch in the Golan Heights – to a local shopping centre – (well, it did have air conditioning), so we headed there.

We were not expecting much, a small run-down looking shopping centre in what seemed the middle of no-where. We sat down in the small café in the centre, not expecting much, and were so pleasantly surprised. The food was really delicious (milkik, kosher diary, therefore no meat products) – Henry ordered the house specialty, Shakshuka, which we were told later was the only dish the owner actually cooks himself – baked eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. In case anyone reading this blog is interested, we have the recipe. After lunch it was back in the van to visit another archeological site – one of the earliest known synagogues (now in ruins), and then on to Mt Avital in the Golan Heights, a lookout and defunct army bunker that overlooked the Syrian border, and showed us graphically how logistically important the Golan Heights is to Israel’s security. The view was absolutely breathtaking, and quite surprising to see the lush green of the agricultural crops.

By 5.30pm we were all completely exhausted, and so we headed to Mitzpeh Hayamim, a vegetarian half board hotel, set in the magical setting of the hills near Rosh Pina. Andrew keeps referring to this place as ‘The Catskills’, because of it’s setting, the half board nature of the hotel and also because of the dated (although I quite like the kitsch nature of this place, love it in fact!) décor….as well as the rotund, Jewish clientele. When we arrived the ladies and gents were wandering around in their white gowns awaiting treatments or just strolling back from the pool and spa. You could just smell the relaxation in the air. Needless to say, the vegetarian buffet dinner (made with organic ingredients grown on the property) was just incredible, and now we all feel very repleat! We just had to go back for one more piece of cheesecake, or another scoop of the organic ice-cream!! Don’t know how we are going to fit breakfast in tomorrow? Can’t wait!

C