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| Bet She'an |
Spent a great 3 days in the Galilee. Left Thursday and made a beeline for Bet She'an National Park, a 400 acre archaeological site that includes the ancient city of Bet She'an-Scythopolis and the Tel Bet She'an. Incredibly well preserved Roman ruins, the best we gave seen so far. Then we spent a few hours swimming at the Sachne pools, some natural springs near the modern city of Bet She'an. Ended the day at a small lake in the Hula Valley that is on the flyway and saw the most astonishing collection of migrating birds - thousands and thousands headed south to Africa. The cacophony of bird honking and hooting and the sight of so many birds was really something to behold.
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| Hula Valley Sunset |
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| Hula Valley Birds |
We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast in a small farming community, Yavne'el, just west of the Kinneret.
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| The Cocolate Makers |
On Day 2 we started with a tour of a chocolate factory in the Golan Heights which included making our own chocolate truffles and bars. A chocolate lover's dream come true. Total fun and we got to take our product with us. Ended up at Mt. Bentel, site of one of the key battles in the Yom Kippur war. Only 60 kms to Damascus from this point. Great views of the Syrian border and the Valley of Tears.
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| 60 kms to Damascus... |
Day 3 started with a bit of a bust. We took a canoe down the Jordan but it was a pretty industrialized part of the river (a lot of pumping for agriculture) so it was a bit on the funky side. (But we did see people being baptized in the river and some huge catfish :) Then we went to a beautiful 12th century Crusader era fort (Belvoir Castle) at Kokhav Hayarden National Park. (Gabriela's comment - 'I've seen enough Crusader castles...') Also saw a gorgeous 6th century mosaic floor at the Beit Alpha Synagogue and ended the day with a great meal at a very atmospheric Arab restaurant in Nein.
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| Jordan River |
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