An Archaeological Site

After the kibbutz, the bus driver earned our undying appreciation, because he brought us safely down one of the most dangerous switchback roads I have ever been on. It was no easy task -- at points he virtually had to stop the bus. For sport, we looked in the canyons cascading down the side of the Golan Heights and counted cars that did make the turns -- and tumbled down into the canyons. There were also a number of caves and bunkers used in the fighting. Just across the small valley is Jordanian territory.

Driving along the border with Jordan, we came to the Bet She'an Archaeological Site. Bet She'an was a city that lasted for more than 900 years at a strategically significant location before being mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 749. For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bet_She%27an

The city reminded me a lot of Pompeii. Ian was our expert guide, showing us the baths, the main streets and shops, the (whoops, blanking on the name, but essentially the theater/stage), and the public toilets. (As an aside to my fellow travelers -- I get it, my humor at Bet She'an was a bit of a failure. Even Bob Newhart had the occasional miss.)

We could have spent more time there, but there is no question it should be on any traveler's list of things to see in Israel. And, this was right in Ian's wheelhouse, so his expert guidework here was a highlight of the trip.