Relief Found!

With the temperature in the Mediterranean exceeding 30 Celsius (86 F) these days and cold springs in the North off limits for swimming, we headed back to the Dead Sea, where, we'd heard, in the midst of the desert was a wonderful oasis with lush vegetation, unique fauna, and -- most importantly for us at the moment -- cold springs for swimming.

It sounded a little unreal, but turned out not to be a mirage; everything we've been told was true and more!

















Just outside of the nature reserve we found ruins of an ancient village and a synagogue with a beautiful mosaic floor (discovered by accident during plowing of an adjacent field).





Nature and culture next to each other. A perfect day that ended with a great meal of fajitas, chumichangas, and beer at a Mexican restaurant in Tel Aviv.

Have I mentioned yet how much I love this country?