From the Dead Sea to Mâr Sâbâ

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The road follows the bank of the sea. After 18 min, we leave the 'Ain el-Jehayyir to the left; it contains pretty little fish (Cyprinodon Sophiae), but its brackish water should not be drunk except in case of necessity. We then leave the sea and ascend the Wâdi ed- Dabr, deeply eroded by its brook, and partly overgrown with under wood, where game is said to abound (partridges, wild pigeons, hares, etc.). After 35 min. we enjoy a line view of the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea. The route then leads to the left, skirting a deep ravine, and affording several other points of view.

Jericho

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History. The ancient Jericho lay by the springs at the foot of the hill of Karantel, that is to the W. of modern Jericho, and to the N. of the Jericho of the Roman period. The Israelitish town (Josh, v, vi) at first belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, afterwards to the kingdom of Israel. The town was of considerable size and enclosed by walls, and the vegetation was very rich. It is sometimes called the 'city of palms', and down to the 7th cent, of our era date-palms were common, though they have now almost entirely disappeared.

Route 7. From Jerusalem to Jericho, the Ford of Jordan, the Dead Sea, and back to Jerusalem viá Már Sâbâ

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Riders from Jerusalem to Jericho take 6 hrs., the Jordan, I 1/2hr., the Dead Sea, 1 hr. 20 min., Mâr Sâbâ, 5 hrs., Jerusalem, 3 hrs. (or to Bethlehem, about 2 3/4 hrs.)- — Carriage Road from Jerusalem to Jericho (carr. in 5 hrs.)- Driving is practicable also to the Jordan and the Dead Sea, except in wet weather when the final stage becomes too soft. In this case, donkeys may be hired at Jericho. A Carriage for the whole trip costs 50-60 fr. — A small Steamer, belonging to the government, has recently been placed on the Dead Sea.

Route 21. From Safed to Damascus. (1876)

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Route 21. From Safed to Damascus.

a. By Bâniâs.

From Safed to Bâniâs 9 hrs., thence to Damascus 13 ½ hrs. — The journey from Tiberias to Bâniâs may be accomplished in two days if a point beyond Safed be reached on the first day. From Safed the traveller may either descend the valley and regain the direct route from Khân Jubb Yûsef (p. 375) to ‘Ain Melláha, or take the far more interesting route across the mountains towards the N., which we now describe.