masada and the dead sea


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masada is a table-top mountain near the dead sea and was the site of a mass sucide by the zealots in ad 73, following a three year roman siege.
it is a very sad story and a very beautiful sight. there are remains of herods fortress at one end and of zealots accomadation at another.
we were told that it is best seen at dawn before the heat and the crowds arrive ...........

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crazy food snatching birds landscape from the hostle looking towards the dead sea braxony at the hostle
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ok, up at 4:20 and on the "snake path" by 4:50 - not bad reached the top before sunrise - a good 45 minute hike up pretty steep cliff braxony - the first up the snake path

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sun appearing over jordan and the dead sea other mountains from massada more sunrise more crazy birds

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crazy dawn views pink sunrise clouds looking down to parts of herods north palace - notice how far away ground level is!!!!
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a tired and achy b. some comedy hungarians - who were equally as daft - intrepid braxony and sunrise

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reflections on the dead sea roman fort on neighbouring mountain remains of herods palace b. and pillars

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slightly tired j.  crazy apricot stealing bird  looking north
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remains of store houses j. and the abyss landscape to the west

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entrance gate remains of roman mosaic more views...

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"the lowest place on earth".. resting weary limbs - b. not finding this too arduous.... j. floating off in the direction of jordan
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look it works on your front too... salt encrusted rock the water is like mineral soup - very viscous but also so clear ...


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to "the west bank" or disputed territory