Home » Cyprus Israel » Cycle to the Summit Part 6 - Athens; through Israel to the Egyptian border

The team find passage to Cyprus on a cargo ship, and spend a memorable New Years Eve drinking Vodka with Russian sailors, whom Ruth later beats in an epic chess match. Finding no connecting services to Egypt at Cyprus, instead the cyclists take a detour through Israel. Passing through spectacular places that are familiar to even the most lapsed Christians amongst us, we take the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea, and then soldier on through days of horrible headwinds towards the Egyptian border.

Cycle to the Summit Part 6 - Athens; through Israel to the Egyptian border

Toby Hammond
2006-06-25 18:55:13

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south along the river Jordan is dangerous at night - there's a big army presence and people younger than us walking around with guns. We stock up at the supermarket, - just in time before they close down for the Sabbath. We cycle on to a kibbutz called Tirat Zevi, and meet Ahmeen, who has a lucrative job minding their fish ponds on the Sabbath. Ahmeen finds us a fantastic camping pitch next to the kibbutz cemetery overlooking the Jordan valley. The wildlife is extraordinary - we see kingfishers, flocks of heron, wading birds, and porcupine. Ahmeen drives us around at speed in his jeep, to see the fish ponds and trails. We finish by smoking their pipe, and talking Middle East politics.

Saturday 5th January Tirat Zevi to Qalya (kibbutz) 106km

The Road to the Dead Sea

We dined on a breakfast of pink grapefruit, scrumped from immense orchards near the Kibbutz. We saw gazelle crossing the road - and passed through israeli checkpoints, manned by teenage soldiers. Stopping for elevensis, we meet Yanis - a Palestinian farmer, who gives Ruth and Toby a speedy ride around the hills in his ride-on tractor. Unfortunately we are unable to return the favour with the US working visa he wanted. We waved to hundreds of friendly palestinian farmers as we cycled along the Jordan river valley. We reach the Dead Sea towards sunset, but could not swim in it just yet - the Israeli shore seems to be behind an army perimeter fence.

Sunday 6th January Qalya to Masada 57km

Headwind

A day cycling along the shore of the Dead Sea. Really spectacular scenery, but a relentless headwind spoiled some of our fun. We find a youth hostel for the night at Masada, towards the south of the western shore of the Dead Sea. It is nestled like an oasis, surrounded by what must be classed as desert, - dusty, wind-eroded mountains.

Monday 7th Janary - Masada to En Boqeq 20km

Too windy for cycling, almost ...