Tuesday morning we left Eilat and traveled along the Arava Road to the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi. Again we see miles and miles of desert with small breaks of JNF forests. Jordan is always a few miles to the East. Eventually the Dead Sea appears on the horizon. The southern half of the Dead Sea is all salt and mineral industry with the sea divided into rectangles. Beyond this we find Sedom, still a place of revelry.

      Shortly thereafter we pass Massada and continue north. Finally we see the sign, Ein Gedi Resort, except the Kipahed man at the gate tells us that this isn't the place. We continue 3 kilometers to the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel and find that isn't the place. We return and pass the Kipahed man continuing on to the Guest House.

      The place is beautiful, an oasis of green and beautiful flowers in the middle of a salt desert, beautiful mountainous structures to the west and life all around. We go for a swim in the beautiful pool and enjoy a wonderful dinner before repacking for the remainder of the trip.

      In the morning we enjoy another incredible breakfast including Lasagne, Cheese Cake, Capucino and 11 different kinds of jams. Then we headed for Massada. Click on Massada to view our trip.

      After a needed rest, we head to the Ein Gedi Dead Sea Spa. We cover ourselves with Dead Sea mud and walk a kilometer in the 113 degree heat to the sea, barely making it. We thought it would be refreshing. The Sea was about 102 degrees. After a short float and a shower, we take the shuttle back to the spa and various more refreshing pools. Finally we return to another great dinner and prepare to leave Paradise.