Thursday morning (but it felt like Wednesday since we had started our tours on Sunday--which is an unusual start for us for this type of thing)--we woke up on the lovely Sea of Galilee. The hotel Kibbutz we were staying out was located on the southern end of the Sea of Galilee.
After breakfast, we headed up the east side of the Sea.
We weren't the only ones up early that morning. We passed this group of cyclists on the way. Notice the country side is so similar to Utah and surrounding areas.
We made our way to Tel Dan Nature Preserve. Because of the access to water in the area, it was a beautiful place to walk through.
It is built around the Dan River, one of the major sources for the Jordan River--It gets its water from Mt. Hebron. The other important site is the ancient city of Dan, one of the most important cities of the area in its time. There are many mounds which have been studied but much more to discover.
Valerie took this great picture of the same type of vine.
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| Another of Valerie's photos |
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| Megan, Landi, and Valerie |
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| Gary and Jena With me below--trying that selfie again |
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| Inside the bus--fun to share the trip with my siblings and others |
Valerie's pictures
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| Jim and Shar with Rick and Linda behind |
...and headed to the city of Capharnaum (Capernaum)--an ancient town which is mentioned in the Bible. It is located on the north end of the Sea of Galilee.
Through the bus window, some of the crops being grown.
Entering the old city site--
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| Valerie, Landi, Megan |
Here we talked about some of the stories related to Capernaum in the Bible including the healing of the man lowered into the house. It is likely the town where Matthew was from. It was occupied from around 2 Century BC to the 11th century AD having to be rebuilt after the earthquake of 749..
We also talked about the symbols used in scriptures which can be seen in the existing stone work around this site--Olive leaves, fig leaves, grapes and so much more.
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| Elder Rona |
Cobblestones roads and paths have been around for thousands of years...
One area was a synagogue. If I remember correctly, there is evidence of building and rebuilding of synagogue twice at this site.
Again, it is a amazing what can be found when digging down in the sand and dirt!
We next headed to Tiberias for lunch right on the Sea of Galilee.
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| A look at the restaurant |
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| and the view from our table |
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| Rock Fish from the Sea of Galilee |
Valerie's picture shows the fish as they arrived at the table.
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| Gary's came with a shekel in its mouth |
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| I thought it was good, a mild tasting fish, but Jena chose the chicken, She did not like looking at the face of the fish. |
Then it was on to the boat for a quick ride on the Sea of Galilee and listening to some of the stories of this place including Jesus walking on the water. No storms on our ride, but it was a beautiful place to ride and to think about the stories of Jesus connected with this place. One of the highlights of the trip for me.
Becase of the angle of the sun, the light was "gleaming" over the surface of the water. Due to some of the scriptures we had read on the boat, I was determined to capture this picture---But now I can't remember why? Someday, I will remember and be glad I have this picture of the sunlight gleaming on the surface of the Dea of Galilee.
Nothing like a boat ride on a calm sea to relax from a busy week of touring.
Coming into the shore
This is our tour bus--one among many everywhere in the country of Israel. Religious tourism is big business in Israel.
Our next stop was in the countryside west of the Sea of Galilee. Like many such spots, there is a Church there dedicated to remembering a specific event in Christ's ministry. This one was the Sermon on the Mount.
On the walkway into the Church, each of the Beatitudes is displayed.
Inside the Church were paintings and stain glasses windows depicting the Sermon on the mount. Of course, the exact spot of this sermon is not really known, but this is on a hillside in the general area described in the scriptures.
We then left the Church and gathered on the hillside toward the Sea of Galilee. Here we listened to Elder Rona read the Sermon on the Mount and then we had about 30 minutes of sitting and listening to music while we pondered (and maybe took a short nap if that is even possible on these little chairs.)
I loved this time watching the boats on the water and thinking about Jesus and what life was like in this place over 2000 years ago. How important these teachings are to us today so many years later.
How the people loved Jesus--that they would follow Him to this dusty, rocky place and sit for hours at his feet to be taught!
Then we headed home (because I really really didn't want to break the mood and stop at the diamond shop on the way back to the hotel. I wasn't the only one, so about half the bus got out and the rest of us headed back to the hotel.) We wanted some time to swim.
Modern city stuff on the west side of the Sea of Galilee.
We got to the swimming pool right when it was closing, so we switched and headed to the beach at the Sea of Galilee.
Rick, Linda, Valerie, Megan and Landi all headed further out in the water, but I thought it was too cold for much more than wading in.
Jena struck a pose for the camera.
We stayed in the same hotel at the south end of Galilee. Only one more day of touring left!
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