parking lot and huts look like any other small beach resort – bright colors, palm trees, literally a handful of shops and restaurants, and plenty of people! To get to the beach, there is an accessible walkway down a long hill to the shore. There is also an accessible path into the water for anyone with a mobility impairment. We didn’ t go swimming in the Dead Sea on this trip but many other people swam in the water which was very warm. It is believed the Dead Sea water has healing powers and by the looks of the crowds, everyone seemed quite content with their adventure. You are able to access Kalia Beach year-round, just be sure to check the hours it is open.
We left Kalia Beach and traveled back to
Jerusalem for dinner at Medita Restaurant with Ms. Gura Berger, the Tourism Adviser to the East Jerusalem Development Company and the Old City Development Project. We enjoyed a fabulous family-style dinner in an easily accessible location. Parking may be a little tricky so be sure to arrive a little early to ensure you have accessible parking.
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at our hotel and piled our suitcases into the van for a long day of touring. We left the hotel and in just a few minutes found ourselves in the heart of the Holy City. Somehow Eli was able to navigate our van through the narrow and crowded streets to the Mount of Olives which overlooked the Old City, the oldest Jewish cemetery, and the Garden of Gethsemane. The view was breathtaking and I reflected on my many religion classes and the Bible which reminded me of the importance of this area more than 2000 years ago.