THE SKY WAS INCREDIBLY BLUE...

all day long, pleasing us during our long drive through the Negev, preserving its pretty hue till late afternoon and returning it the next  morning to the horizon. The chosen desert lodge (Chavat Nachal Boker, near Sde Boker) was waiting for us in the midday sun, its few tracks nothing but stony paths, covered with sand, surrounded by a small garden, with plants not minding the daily hot and nightly cold climate of the dry acrid region, but thriving anyway.

Our "hotel" was just a hut, a rustic cabin, built from natural material, like wood, bamboo and straw, roofed with palm fronds, integrating perfectly into the landscape, adapting, not disturbing the barren view of soft hills and shallow valleys. Very lovely and charming! Spot clean and comfortable! No TV, no telephone of course, but a porch to relax and to flow into a desert state of mind in the late afternoon and evening hours.

The breeze rushing in the few acacia trees and causing the hammock to swing gently was quietening down at night, only the lonely howling of the wilderness jackals could be heard.

Mornings in the desert are always gorgeous, the air fresh and scented. Birds awakening early.

Being more adventurous a tent could have been rented in an adjoining lodge, with shared bathroom facilities outside.

A pretty handmade set of a table and chairs waiting for a healthy breakfast being served!

Satisfied with a full belly we started out to reach our goal of Ein Saharonim (עין סהרונים), a small spring (ein) at the lowest point of the Machtesh Ramon, created from ground water, and the location of one of the most ancient Nabatean ruins, a caravansary, serving as a resting spot at the spice trade route, chosen for the water source being nearby. The road number 40 goes down from Mitzpe Ramon through the marvelous huge Ramon crater. A left turn is to be taken to the Be'erot Camp and from there a stony dirt road, passing over many dry wadis and flat water beds, arrives after several kilometers at a giant slanted stone wall.

Mount Ardon

The stone wall.
It contents red, green and yellow clay, the colors generated by different minerals in the rock, by water seeping through it, and by erosion. It is an amazing sight and worth a stop to investigate. After ten more minutes of driving the khan can be seen.

We parked the car and walked the short distance to the spring passing the caravansary on our left. 

During a visit many many (maybe twenty) years ago, we spotted onagers at the spring, the untamable wild Asian ass. I was hoping to see them again, but we had no luck. Just to show you: this one we spotted in April 2010 in the Negev, beside the trail to Borot Lotz.

The oasis of Ein Sahoranim is truly beautiful with rich desert vegetation and many puddles of water, even now at the end of the dry season. Our walk was short but full of images, the blue sky, the dark green and spiky plants, the colored rocks and many stones. The warm air was scented from the bushes and full of quiet noises, the rustle of the reeds, the gurgle of the water, the buzz of the insects...

I am happy - and I am thankful for such a wonderful weekend! It went right into my memory storage and I will dig it out whenever I want it or need it! 

Bedouine camels flanking the road on our way home.

Photos taken by my husband Uri Eshkar.