We started out the day with another wonderful breakfast from our hosts. From our hostel we went north. The highest mountain in the Golan Heights is called Bental. It is high up for the area (1,170 meter above sea level) and has a 360 degree view of Israel, Syria, and Lebonon. It's a great view and it has a signpost showing the direction of and distance to Jerusalem, Damascus, Baghdad, and Washington D.C. (11,000+ km away). It was extremely cold with a wind that chilled to the bone.
After that we headed towards the top of Mount Hermon. Lets just say that the town of Hermon isn't the cleanest or most modern city in the Middle East. At one point I felt like we had a target on our Ford Focus because of the Eldan Rental Car sticker on its side. Two thirds of the way there I jumped out, took a picture of the beautiful snow covered scenery, and we called it a mountain.
After defrosting for about 20 minutes, we headed out towards Caesarea Philippi. On the way we saw the Nimrod Crusader castle. We wondered if that castle is why Nimrod, as a word, has a negative connotation. Caesarea Philippi, called Banias in Israel, is a spectacular convergence of structures from different place for one reason...its lush beauty. Water from Mount Hermon flows down the Hermon river making that counrtyside green. The water and greenery, combined with beautiful reddish rock formations makes for quite a sight. This water feeds into Israel's most famous river The Jordan. The bible dosen't say if Jesus ever actually visited the city with its temples to pan and Ceaser. The bible does say that Jesus asked one of the most important questions in history on the way to this city. Who do you say that I am?
Sara and I hiked all around Caesarea Philippi. Hiking trails to Pan's Grotto, an acient mill, Aggripa's palace, and the crusader gate, we were tired before heading out towards the Banias Falls just a couple of miles away. The Banias Falls were stunning with tons of water rushing quicking down the river.
More adventure to come soon.
Mike and Sara
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