On Friday we had a good run up north following close to the Jordanian border on the luxury of smooth roads, a novelty after all the African roads we have travelled. As we approached the Dead Sea the scenery was very strange: pale rock eroded by water into small canyons and pinnacles. The lower part of the Sea was lined with magnesium factories and the whole expanse of water had salt extraction 'beds'. It was here at the town of Zafor that the resort hotels were situated with bathing beaches. Not exactly something that really attracted us!
We arrived at the camp site at Ein Gedi Oasis set on the hillside overlooking a more attractive stretch of the Dead Sea, with the intention of staying one night only. Even though we are not close to the shore we are still at an altitude of -336 metres (over -1,000 feet).
Friday, being the Israeli weekend, the Camp was packed with families pitching their tents on the concrete 'runways'. There is a Kibbutz here set in Botanical Gardens where it's possible to eat in their restaurant. We decided to take advantage of that and had a good buffet meal. The camp itself is a real backpackers place. They have static tents with mattresses on the floor, not quite "glamping" but it appears popular. There is a Nature Reserve close by which may also be an attraction.
With no news on Saturday from Zipi, the Customs Clearance lady (who has been far from zippy) there was no point moving on to Ashdod. Just as well as I was feeling under the weather and spent the whole day asleep in bed. I have had a bad cough for over a week and I think it developed into a slight chest infection. Now better. Chris had an evening out on his own at the bar, chatting to 2 young men from the World Bank and regaling them with ballooning stories!
We now hear that the Grimaldi ship, the Grande Ellade, does not arrive in Ashdod until 21st and we don't know yet when it is due to sail but hope it will be on 22nd. It is the same ship that goes to Alexandria but we could not have sailed on it from there. We are pleased not to be waiting around in Egypt to send the Enterprise aboard it and mounting up handling fees. We are finding Israel extremely expensive but it is better than the alternative.
Tomorrow we leave for Ashdod and hopefully start the paperwork involved in shipping a vehicle. It will be an interesting exercise.
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