Holy Land Sunday 28th & Monday 29th October (Morning) - The Negev Camel Ranch & Trek

The Negev Camel Ranch at Mamshit, I was really looking forward to this, not sure about Beth. When we arrived and allocated our rooms in huts, Beth was with the other young ladies and I was with Ian, unfortunately Peter had injured himself in En Gedi and had to be taken to hospital. We pray that he is alright and gets sorted soon. The evening meal was a traditional meal – Bedouin style, sat on the floor on cushions with low tables – fantastic.  Dinner was prepared from products that are suitable to be carried by the nomads in their camel saddle bags. A campfire was organised afterwards, I was so tired I missed this and went to bed.  The people there were very friendly and had a great sense of humour.

The Negev Camel Ranch was established in 1986 in the Eastern-Negev, along the northern Incense Route, near the ancient Nabatean city of Kurnub-Mamshit. The camel ranch Israel is located in the middle of the Negev between Be’er Sheva and the Dead Sea, between the "Maktesh Hagadol"  In the Bible, the term Negev only relates to the northern, semiarid part of what we call Negev today, located in the general area of the Arad-Beersheba Valley. According to the Book of Genesis chapter 13, Abraham lived for a while in the Negev after being banished from Egypt, the Nabateans passed through here on caravans of camels laden with precious trade goods. Genesis 13:1-4 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3He journeyed on by stages from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4to the place where he had made an altar at the first; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord

We arrived late and it was dark so I took this picture in the morning.

An early start tomorrow, we have to pack before the trek, another blessed day and very tired so GOOD NIGHT!! 

My bedroom….I shared with Ian

Getting ready for tea when we arrived  – Beth and Jen 

The following morning,

sunshine everyday so far, I believe the Negev Nutters (Runners) were up and out early, not for me thanks. We had to pack up again so we are ready to move to our next location promptly. Once breakfast was out of the way we had a 2hr Camel Trek. The Negev has seen its share of history: Abraham built his home in Be'er Sheva, the Nabateans passed through here on caravans of camels laden with precious trade goods.

Negev Camel Trek Breakfast at the Camel ranch, packed up ready to go. (Coffee was not as we know it – it was a brown sludge in a small glass, but tasted OK).

Pretty Ladies – my camel was called Petra (as in the place) and Beth’s was called Shalom  

 Is that Lawrence of Arabia coming over the hill?

Learning to make some soap from hyssop