This may have been the most fun day in terms of outdoor activity. We left Jericho and went to Masada. Masada was a city on top of a mountain that was built by Herod. On the north face of the mountain is a three level palace. There was also a palace on the south side of the mountain that would have been used by any visiting dignitaries. Josephus referred to the northern palace as the most beautiful palace he had seen. The climb to the top of Masada was about 1000 feet.
After hiking up the mountain in the hot sun, we went on another (shorter) hike in En Gedi which is a desert oasis that David enjoyed.
We also visited Qumran. Qumran is a place where the "Sons of Light" copied and wrote manuscripts. They had several cleansing rituals that required a great deal of water. Aquaducts led water to numerous cisternes and mikvah. Also pictured is Cave 4 in which some of the most significant Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
We ended the day at the Dead Sea. Floating in the Dead Sea was definitely and interesting experience. I was able to lay back with my feet crossed and arms behind my head and float right on top of the water.
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