The Jewish holidays are finally over and live and school will go back to normal. It also means that are break for Sukkot is also done. For Sukkot, we went with our friends Nikki and Rachel to the Haifa area in the north, and then Jess and I traveled south into the Negev.

Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea

Ein Gedi is a beaitufl river valley not far from the Dead Sea. The main thing to do is go on the short hike and swim in the falls. If you’re looking you might see Ibex (which we did) and Gazelle.

We stopped at a beach that included a gorgeous restaurant and a pretty clean beach. If you’ve never been in the Dead Sea, it’s quite an experience. You don’t even need to try. It’s so calm and easy that you could bring out a book and read while just floating in the sea between Israel and Jordan.

Nikki and Rachel enjoying a dip in Ein GediChad and Jessica enjoying a dip in Ein GediEin GediJessNikki and RachelMore falls in Ein GediMountains Near the Dead SeaIbexNikki and Rachel floating in the Dead SeaA guy enjoying a mud bathChad floating in the dead seaUmm...where did the couch go?Window on building near Dead Sea

Caesarea

Ceasarea is a city that was originally built over 2000 years ago and has since been modified and changed throughout the years. Walking around it was nice, but like most ruins, you just get hot. You also have to have a pretty good imagination as to what the place would have looked like back in the day. Thankfully, there was a pretty modern movie that had some 3D recreations of what they think the city looked like. The most impressive part of the city is completely gone and only available to see if you go on a scuba trip into the ruins of the harbor. This harbor was huge, and made all the more impressive in that it was made without any modern conveniences like tractors and dredging equipment.

The Old AquaductPictures at the Old AquaductCross Arch CeilingsTile MosiacsCool archwayPillars at the Promontory PalaceRebuilt Roman Amphitheater

Haifa

Haifa itself is a port city in the Northwest of Israel. Much of the city is pretty unassuming, except for the Baha’i gardens. My knowledge of the Bahai faith is limited to what a friend of a friend told me 10 years ago, so instead of trying to describe their faith, you can go to the wikipedia entry to find out more information.

The gardens themselves are absolutely gorgeous. Physically, they are impressive. Covering the side of Mt. Carmel with 18 terraces of lush green beauty. As it is a holy place, access to most of the gardens is limited. You can enter an overlook at the top and a garden near the actual Shrine of the Bab anytime during the day. But that is about 5% of the whole gardens. They have tours that take you through the top half of the gardens, but we missed out on that. The bottom half is pretty much off limits to everyone but pilgrams making their way to the shrine. The shrine is open and available to the public between 9 and noon. There is one proviso, none of the sections are open when it is raining. And it rained both mornings that we attempted to go to the gardens. D’oh!

Baha'i Shrine of the BabBaha'i Shrine of the BabThe painted dinosaurs were all over HaifaDinosaurs on ParadeMuch sadness when we're not allowed in due to the wet pavement.See...I did come on this trip!Cactus found in the Bahai gardensDSC_0118Cool Tree...and Jess is cute tooView of the Shrine through the GardensElaborate windows on Baha'i ShrineRoof of the Baha'i ShrineDoorway on the Baha'i ShrineBaha'i Shrine of the Bab

Rosh HaNikra

The Israeli costline is pretty flat and full of beaches all the way up to the Lebanese border. At the border, the coastline becomes a beautiful cliff face with these large grottos that they have built paths that you can walk through and around.

I'm not sure what this guy really isThe buoy's designate the Israel/Lebanon borderBeautiful cliff faceMore beautiful cliffsThe gondola down to the viewpointsUmm....the hummer doesn't even fit in the HANDICAP spaceYes, we're that close to Lebanon

Akko (Acre)

Akko is another ancient city with a turbelant past. It has been around since the days of the greeks in 333 BC,  and since has traded hands between the Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottoman Empire, Turks, British, and now is a part of Israel.  Phew. The main section that we walked around was the Old City. Walking around old walled cities is amazing. Old cities that still have a population living within the walls in a non-touristy fashion is even coolor. Just the small narrow streets underneath covered archways that span imbetween the buildings. Walking through the market place that are selling things beyond cheesy touristy stuff. In fact, I was amazed at how many cheap toy stores there were.

While walking around, our main stops included the old Citadel, Al-Jazzar Mosque, and the harbor.

The streets of the Old City of AkkoOriental Restaurant: Humos? Falafel? Apparently, you can also get the fool!Fresh fish! Get your fresh fish!Inside the Al Jazzar MosqueThe 5 times that Muslims should prayThe beautiful walls of the Al Jazzar MosqueWeird looking treeLove these old ceilings. They don't make them like they used to....Clock towerSinan Pasha MosqueThe Mediterreanean SeaApparently the marina office is open...

Mitzpe Ramon

Our adventure then took us south of Jerusalem into the Negev (desert). Maktesh Ramon (The Ramon Crater) is the largest natural crater in the world. We stayed at Sukkah Bamidbar aka Tents in the Desert.  The place consisted of 7+ small primitive (no bathroom and a single solar panel for lights) huts of various sizes. The place also had a communal eating area and some gardens and some animal pens. Bathroom facilities were of the camping variety, which meant you either walked away from your cabin and went in the desert or there was an outhouse. The place was definitely not for everyone, but was great to spend some time experiencing a little bit of what life in the desert must have been like.

I can see why people fall in love with the desert. It is beautiful and stark. I’m constantly amazed at how much life can exist in a place with such harsh conditions.

While in the town of Mitzpe Ramon, we stopped at the visitors center, Bio Ramon (they have some of the desert critters on display in their native environments), and an Alpaca/Llama farm. We also drove down in the crater and went on a canyon hike.

A look into Maktash Ramon (The Ramon Crater)A look into Maktash Ramon (The Ramon Crater)Stayed in this small hut for 2 daysThe goat ben at Sukkah BamidbarIbex near the roadGoing for a hikeChad does show up in pictures...occassionally.Jess also shows up occassionally.The trail went through these beautiful canyonsMore canyonsCool rock formationMore desert viewsCanyon walls in Maktesh RamonGotta love the eyesNote the one antagonizing the otherHiding out from the bullyUmmm....no commentYes....really cuteLlama yes? Llama no.Smile for the cameraJess makes a friendGood thing I was holding the camera when the camel got hungrySmile for the camera: Part 2Cute kid riding a llamaMore llamasA funny looking Angora GoatLlamaSukkah Bamidbar: Tents in the DesertSukkah Bamidbar: Tents in the Desert

On the way back, we stopped at Ben Gurion’s grave and his house on Sde Boker. Also went for a short hike to a cold water spring in a beautiful canyon.  As luck would have it, my camera battery died…so alas…no pictures…this time.

Other stuff

When we’re driving around, I constantly have thoughts and ideas that I’d like to share with you all. Of course, now that I’m writing I can’t remember any of them. Must be in the family genes.

Things are quieting down now that the holidays are over and we can get back on a regular schedule. Jess is at class right now, and I’m at home either working or if there isn’t work…finding something fun to do. We have some friends that are coming out to visit Israel (and in turn us) in November, so that is exciting. I need to make a border crossing in the next 3 weeks so that I don’t overstay my Visa.

So I’m curious what you’d like to hear more about. Travels? Classes? Jewish Life?