The alpaca farm is located in a hidden valley among desert hills, offering visitors much fun and joy. At the entrance , on both sides - amazing cactus plants. Next, a multi -purpose stone cabin which serves as cafeteria, exhibition of alpaca-wool based products, activity room etc..
People interested in recreation and a base for trips in the desert and nearby Mizpe Ramon crater will find here some B&B cabins., well-equipped and air-conditioned. ( I suppose , sometimes , in high touristic season, the recreation area gets a bit noisy because of the many visitors on the farm).
[Enlarge the following colorful map to learn something about the structure of this unusual place. The captions are in hebrew , but the pictures help give an idea of how things are grouped].
The alpacas (raised for their wool) and llamas (reliable burden carriers) , live in harmony here with pigeons, horses, angora sheep, dogs, ponnies, camels, goats etc.. The dogs are supposed to protect the other animals at night from foxes and wolves .
There are some nice activities for both children and adults taking place at the farm: ponny and llama rides for kids, horse rides for the grown-ups, watching shearing of alpacas , weaving of wool on a loom, and the biggest attraction of all - hand feeding the alpacas and llamas. Sometimes these gracious camel-like animals get cheeky or start spitting, so - watch out!
There are some nice activities for both children and adults taking place at the farm: ponny and llama rides for kids, horse rides for the grown-ups, watching shearing of alpacas , weaving of wool on a loom, and the biggest attraction of all - hand feeding the alpacas and llamas. Sometimes these gracious camel-like animals get cheeky or start spitting, so - watch out!
Please, watch my musical slideshow displaying pictures of this special farm. Enjoy!
Really enjoyed the slide show, Duta!
ReplyDeleteIs it alpacas or llamas that spit? Or maybe both.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for allowing us to tag along. I loved, loved, loved the slide show. I really felt like I was right there with ya and all the really cool critters.
ReplyDeleteYou never fail to amaze me beautiful Duta.
Have a marvelously blessed day my friend!!! :o)
So cute! I've never seen a llama or an alpaca in the real life.
ReplyDeleteThe little ones are so cute! Enjoyed the slide show! You did such a good job. Good pictures! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteuntil next time... nel
Rocke Man'
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad you did.
Sharon Wagner,
Both of them. The spitting can occur without warning, or in the middle of an argument over food, or to make some statement.
Nezzy,
As always you have so many kind words for me. Thank you! Have a blessed weekend!
Harvi,
Cute indeed. They resemble a mini camel. I believe there aren't many alpaca/llamas farms in the world, so it's not surprising if someone has never seen any alpaca or llama ( they live freely though, in the Andes mountains of South America).
Nel,
I think a slideshow is better than words. I regret not going nearer to the cuties to take some close-ups.I'm just not that brave. Sigh.
How interesting and so very different than what we find around here. I really enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteDuta
ReplyDeleteBeing a farm girl, I would really like this place. Loved the slide shows you have been gifting us with. Peace
It looks interesting and beautiful Shalom!
ReplyDeleteSue (Someone's Mom),
ReplyDeleteThe desert is sure different from what you have around. The farm is also quite unusual. Glad you enjoyed it.
Lady Di Tn,
You certainly don't look a farmgirl in your profile picture; you look more like an aristocratic lady. I'm glad you liked the slideshow. Peace.
Phivos Nicolaides,
Thank you. It is indeed so. Shalom!
Thank you they are adorable! Love the music too.
ReplyDeleteAs always, have a lovely week.
What fun to visit this lovely little farm, Duta! The alpaca is such a beautiful animal and also rather comical with his fluffy legs :) The wool of the alpaca makes beautiful and warm sweaters too!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to visit you, Duta. Wishing you are thriving and happy and healthy!
xox
Kelly
PS: I love your music choice for this slide show too!
Duta, that was magical! Thanks for the presentation. You know I'm stuck here in Texas, so it's good to get out occasionally via your delightful blog.
ReplyDeleteThe area reminds me so much of Arizona which is where I was born and raised. Of course we didn't have llamas or alpacas. It would definitely be a great place to visit. Love the slide show Duta, Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI feel that too, that the area reminds me of Arizona. The lamas are cute but I was partial to that white burro (I don't think it was a small horse...)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love seeing and learning more about Israel!
I wonder about the alpaca business. I've never seen any garments for sale made of their wool. Is there really a market for it, or do breeders make most of their money by selling animals to other breeders?
ReplyDeleteHi Duta. I hope everything is fine with you. If you have time please have a look at the magazine my son is editing. Thank you. Shalom! PULSEmagazine
ReplyDeleteAngelina,
ReplyDeleteThe music is taken from Shubert. Fascinating, like most of his pieces.
TheChicGeek,
Good to hear from you. I hope you'll soon resume blogging. Thanks for your visit and kind comment.
Dorraine,
I'm sure many will love to "get stuck" in Texas. Anyway, I'm glad my blog helps you "get out" of there occasionally. You're welcomed to it, any time.
Alicia,
Glad you liked the slideshow.
These lovely alpaca animals are not desert animals; they are originally from the Andes mountains. The owners of this farm chose a particular spot , on the highest place in the desert and made the neccessary provisions for raising them successfully.
Lynda Lehman,
I'm glad you like learning about Israel. This farm is a display of isralis' sense of enterprise. It was a real adventure to bring herds of alpacas from South America and establish a farm and a spinnary in the desert.
TallTchr,
Good question, but I'm not sure I have the right answer. It was on this farm, for the first time in my life that I saw on sale alpaca wool yarn and some small alpaca wool items (scarves, gloves, baby shoes). Anyway, the whole process of raising the alpacas, shearing them, spinning the wool, making the yarn and some wool products - takes place on the farm, and that means the owners have a market.
Phivos Nicolaides,
Everything is fine with me,thank you. I was away last week visiting Prague.
I'll certainly have a look at your son's magazine; it appears 'the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree'. Thanks for the info.
Now we have so much yarn to knit with alpaca, it's nice to see the animal the wool comes from! Such charming pics at your video, Duta! In the beginning of the 80ties we were in Prague -it probably will take several decades, or maybe a whole generation before Eastern Europe has caught up to Western culture and standards:)
ReplyDeleteJeannette
ReplyDeleteAlpaca wool is finer and softer than that of sheep, so I imagine how lovely the knitted products are.
You're right about Prague and East Europe, but the fact is that Western standards are deteriorating and there seems to be no way back.
Fabulous! Thanks for this. I'm sending this link to my mom. She has been to Israel, & loves her people & history. She'll get a real kick out of this post! ;)
ReplyDeleteSusannah,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear about your Mom and her love for Israel. Thank you for sending her the link. I hope she likes the post.