We’re almost jet-lag free! It really does seem to take a day for each hour difference. I’ve finished editing our Israel photos and put them up on our SmugMug site in case you’re interested in seeing some of the places we visited in more detail Just click on this link:
Marsha’s & Joel’s Israel/Jordan Photos
…and you can browse to your heart’s content. We really enjoyed this journey, and hope you did too. See you soon.
Marsha & Joel
Winding down now. Spent about 5 hours working our way back to Jerusalem, this time north along the Dead Sea on Rt. 90.
A long drive, now among some familiar sights. The desert seems endless, but beautiful.
We always knew Israel and its people are amazing, but a few more things put on an exclamation point. When God gives Israelis lemons, they really do make lemonade. The dead, dead water and barren land just gives them the opportunity to squeeze out some gold in the form of manganese, much sold to Volkswagen. Potash plants for fertilizer are also booming, serving the world’s fertilizer needs.
Square miles of salt and desalination plants.
Even burgeoning tourism out of “nothing”.
Ingenious canal system taking water from the north Dead Sea to the South through the evaporated middle. They are even harvesting huge quantities of salt in the south to keep the water from rising into the factories and hotels.
And a huge moment of pride as we were able to make it to the Hadassah Hospital where my recently deceased Aunt, Estelle Siegel bequeathed a large sum of money to build “Granny’s Garden” helping connect the hospital to the medical schools and surrounding buildings.
The director of development met us and graciously gave us a tour of the facility (largest hospital facility in all of Israel), especially the space that will be the garden. Construction starts in April and should be open in the Fall.
It encompasses a large section of space that now is three or four smaller gardens It will have paths, sitting areas, spectacular foliage and a space for patients and staff to relax – or just enjoy seeing.
We’re also introduced to the Garden’s planner/designer who worked with Estelle and her daughters very closely to make her vision come to life.
Tali also gave us a private tour of the hospital’s Chagall windows. Talk about mind-blowing. Each panel is more special than the other, reflecting what the hospital stands for. Everyone is welcome.
What a way to end such a wonderful trip! So beautiful, and so personal.
We’ll wake up at 4 am tomorrow and be back in the US in the early afternoon (12 hour flight). But the length of the flight will give us a chance to reflect on so much. We are really happy you were able to join us…. See you in Alaska later this summer.
We needed a free day after yesterday’s Petra trek. Marsha promised a beach and a Red Sea dip…. Yes, but after “just a couple of other things”….
[Correction: yesterday I said Lebanese restaurant. Not many of those in Jordan. It was a Jordanian meal]
Taxied over to the Eilat Botanical Gardens. Saw a sign yesterday, checked the internet for their in-progress website…and even cabbies didn’t know where it was. But it is quite a special place growing out of the desert where such a thing shouldn’t exist.
Right across from the airport, and bird sanctuary (Israel is a major flyway between Europe and Africa), the gardens were developed on an abandoned military base 14 years ago.
Not too much different that you see in New Jersey, but amazing to find here.
Papayas.
The oldest date palm seed found and germinated was over 2,000 years old and uncovered in the excavations at Masada.This alone makes the place worthwhile.
A waterfall in the desert.
From this vista point you really get the idea of growing something where it doesn’t belong. Looking over a huge water desalination plant toward the beaches of Eilat and the Red Sea.
After a ride back, and a quick bite to eat we hustle over to the marina for a two hour glass-bottom boat ride around the ports of Eilat and Aqaba and over their extremely beautiful coral reefs. We didn’t go snorkeling in the morning, so this would have to suffice.
The trip gave us spectacular views of the contrasts between the rich Israeli waterfront…
…and the much less-rich resort area in Aqaba. It’s a pretty wild thought that we are sitting right between Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Approaching the coral reef…from the boat deck.
And, from the glass bottom.
On the way back part of the Israeli Navy in front of what must be one of the largest Israeli flags ever.
Finally, about 4:30 I get to dive into the beautiful, clean, clear, cool waters of the Red Sea…
…while Marsha takes in a few minutes of sun waiting for our…
…private yacht. Some wine and off to dinner at one of the better seafood restaurants in Eilat. Barramundi and Red Sea Bream. Delish.
Back to Jerusalem tomorrow for last day of our trip. Hard to believe we’ll be back to below freezing and snow. But very happy to get back and see the kids and grandkids, and our own beds, and far fewer daily calories. Should be a very special day tomorrow. Will tell you about it if all works out. Good night.
