We spent a quiet Friday and Saturday in Israel relaxing and enjoying our first Shabbat meals with family. My cousins took us shopping at the local shook (market) to buy delicious fruit and cheap made in china clothing/things. Joe and I each found a pair of sunglasses and I bought myself some slippers to wear indoors as people wear shoes or crocs inside the houses here (no carpeting). Joe really enjoyed meeting all my family especially Ariana’s oldest son Nadav who is interested in weapons, machinery, cars and all things male. They bonded and Joe ended up dressed in a bullet proof vest playing with Nadav's toys!
On Sunday the Jordan crew set out for an overnight trip to the Golan Heights which Joe specifically requested as he had seen so many history programs on wars fought there. The 2.5 hour journey was pleasant and enjoyable as we drove mostly through farmlands filled with trees and blooming signs of spring. We made it to Hamat Gader, once known as the Greek City of Gadara which was built overlooking the Sea of Galilee and in close proximity to natural hot springs which were used as a place to relax and regenerate by those fun seeking romans after taking over other peoples empires.
We enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of the many parks on the 40 acre property then proceeded to the mineral baths to renew our bodies. The baths are known for their healing properties which are great for the skin and are rumoured to help boost metabolism (fingers crossed), cell renewal and helps to relieve joint pain. We particularly enjoyed the Jacuzzi type baths that invigorated and really moved the skin around, although some were a little intense. We enjoyed the three pools and a lounge in the sun with ice cream, before we decided to check out the alligator farm and bird sanctuary. The park boasts over 200 alligators and is one of the largest alligator parks in the Middle East. They had a least four types of very different alligators and numerous baby to preteen ones as well. Alligators are very creepy in how they lounge on the land or in the water with one eye open watching you. Considering how fast they can move, they do a good job of appearing innocent and lazy. We were behind a very thick fence for the most part. The park also housed a bird sanctuary, baby chicks, a fawn, numerous baboons and a mountain goat. I felt bad for them as they hung around their cages. I still find zoos very sad and wonder why we can’t observe animals in their natural habitat. I didn’t feel as bad for the creepy alligators though!
We left the park in the late afternoon and headed to our guest house 30 minutes. Our room was in a row of cabins set among tropical trees and foliage, lined with hammocks. Two separate rooms, a Jacuzzi tub bathroom to share and a small kitchen set in the middle. We dropped our stuff and made the drive to a local kibbutz known for its amazing fish restaurant. We ended up splitting a meal and eating lots of pita and were still full without dessert. Food in Israel is amazing, fresh and meals always involve delicious salads and warm bread. A nice change after being vegetable starved for so long!
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