The Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee is Israel's largest fresh water reservoir and the country's main source of drinking water. Hadar, our guide, told us that throughout the winter, Israelis pay very careful attention to the water level in the Kinneret more carefully than watching the stock market!
Above the Kinneret are the Golan Heights, the beautiful, lush, mountainous region that boasts nature reserves, historic and archaeological sites and many recreational facilities.
After awaking at the kibbutz guest house in Ein-Gev and seeing the Sea of Galilee for the first time (we arrived later the night before) we headed out for our Jeep rides. The perspectives from the Jeeps riding over bumpy terrain was enhanced when we went up to Mount Bental, the bunker providing a 360 view of the entire Golan. We learned about the strategic importance of this region, which was captured from the Syrians after they attacked Israel in the 1967 Six Day War. It was hard to imagine Israelis living in the valley from 1948-1967 in constant fear of missiles being fired from the other side of the border.
At the bottom of the Kinneret we stopped at Kibbutz Hamat Gadar, the site of Israel's largest and oldest spa complex. This 40 tropical park includes a variety of hot mineral baths and pools that were enjoyed by (almost) everyone in the group. The hot water with high mineral and sulfur content is supposed to ease pains and cure a variety of maladies. We certainly felt great and relaxed when we left!
Hamat Gader also boasts one of the largest Crocodile farm in the Middle East with approximately 200 crocodiles of various species. By the time we got out and it began to get dark, we didn't see very many of them.
Our next stop was a cruise on the Kinneret on our very own boat. How great to all dance the hora together (and of course the other hot dances of the day) as we cruised up and down this beautiful place. We pulled into Decks Restaurant for dinner, feasting on steak, chicken and fish all grilled over fires of citrus wood, olive wood and American Hickory that is imported from Georgia.
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