Avir at Ein Gedi looking at the three waterfalls
Avir, dressed in black and standing top right of the picture, is taking a photo of three spectacular falls, in the Ein Gedi Oasis and Nature Reserve. Ein Gedi is located west of the Dead Sea, near Masada and near the Qumran Caves. The name Ein Gedi is composed of two Hebrew words, Ein meaning ‘spring’ and Gedi meaning ‘goat-kid’. Thus Ein Gedi means “Kid spring”.
Many overseas tourists, as well as locals, visit this historically unique part of Israel because it is only a one-hour south from Jerusalem. Ein Gedi is one of the most popular nature sites in Israel, whether you are a family group or an experienced hiker. The day we visited these falls, called Wadi David, the water was plentiful, overflowing and moving quite fast. The first of the three falls we see is in the bottom-left of the photo, then, as we move our eyes upward we see the second and the third falls. Each of the falls is a little different and we see groups of visitors sitting relaxing, having a picnic or swimming in the down-rush of water as it cascades over the falls.
Avir found the water very invigorating because it was both cold and fast. The smaller waterfall has a little lush ‘oasis’ area and a shallow pool which one can lie down in. Some people enjoyed sitting under the overhanging trees edging the flowing waterfalls. We gazed in awe at these springs—a source of beauty juxtaposed beside the harsh desert surroundings.