Orchids, Orchids, Orchids

Recently we had the opportunity to visit a new, tropical rain forest at a kibbutz near Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. We were not sure what to expect but it turned out to be very nice. They advertise having 60,000 Orchids. We did not count them but they might be right.

This orange growing vine was not at the kibbutz but a service station in Netanya.

The vine actually is growing into an olive tree.

January 2nd, 2010

Saturday, January 2nd, was a beautiful day in Israel for a short road trip. We headed west out of Jerusalem ... then south past Beersheeva to Sde Boker and the Ramon Crater in the Negev ... then east/northeast to the Dead Sea ... north to Jericho ... then back west to Jerusalem. It was a very clear day all over Israel. Below the sunset taken from the car as we passed Jericho.

The Negev by Sde Boker.

From Sde Boker, the road leading to the canyon called Ein Avdat.

Ein Avdat

Reflections in the water. There has been some rain in desert this winter. Not enough but some.

Waterfall at the end of the canyon at Ein Avdat.

Ibyx at the Ramon Crater by the desert twon of Mitzpe Ramon ("View of the Ramon").

The Ramon Crater

Reflection of the Jordanian Hills in the Dead Sea on a calm day.