Israel/Jordan Day 12: Exploring the (top of the) Ramon Crater

I was looking forward to today, a chance to get back on a bike, if it was only a fairly crappy mountain bike.  Eric had sourced a nearby rental place and we were given a map that showed various options.  It was fun to get out, and Eric hung on just fine. 

The crater really offers spectacular views.   After the ride, we had a great shawarma for lunch (of course!) and some ass-cream for dessert! Lol

Eric booked us in for a presentation at the Ramon Crater Visitor Center which featured an experience combining the life story of the first Israeli astronaut, Col. Ilan Ramon (who died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster) and the unique geographical phenomenon of the crater itself.  After a short film, the curtains opened up to this spectacular view...  

We spent the afternoon hiking along the crater edge spotting some Nubian mountain goats chilling out in whatever shady patch they could find.

Our hotel, the Ramon Inn by Isrotel was pretty decent... it really felt like a family hotel, as it was getting close to the Passover holiday.  As usual, the dinners at these types of hotels (there wasn't much in the town itself) was an excellent buffet, so we eat with the mantra of "this is not a buffet... this is not a buffet...".