Sorry, have to cut and paste because we don’t have Wi-Fi in
the rooms of this hotel! I guess we were spoiled in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Today was another early day, on the bus fed and packed by
730! We drove through the desert east
toward the Dead Sea and then through the West Bank, which is Palestine territory for our drive to
The Galilee (north).
Our first stop was up a winding mountain road to a monastery
built right into the wall of the desert mountain. The monastery is Greek run,
Saint George Monastery. It is a wonder to see, and the surrounding desert is
stunning! There were “sales people” there who wanted to sell us all forms of
junk, from jewelry to head wraps. I chose jewelry (kind of, a rope bracelet).
Back on the bus through the West Bank, stopped outside of
Jericho for a bathroom break and had some wonderful pomegranate juice and
carried on to Beit Shein. When we crossed over from the West Bank to Israel
proper, we had to go through a check point, where two female and one male
soldier with Uzis and bullet proof vests came on the bus to inspect. We were
told to not take pictures.
I have been to Beit
Shein before, but it is a very interesting archaeological sight. Columns, baths,
amphitheaters, and public toilets (for the men only, Wendy demonstrated). Everything remarkably preserved! After our
tour around the site, we had a lunch of either Chicken Schnitzel or Falafel.
We took a train to where the bus was after lunch, and
boarded the bus to our next stop, also on the top of a mountain. Our stop was
another ruin dig, but also a beautiful view of the desert, and a lovely
sculpture garden. It is called Kokhav Hayarden, where we took many pictures.
Still heading north, we drove along the Jordan border and
decided as a bus that we would like to go to the area of the river where people
get baptized. That was also fascinating, so many Christians getting dunked. It
was a nice touch because of the fact that some of our group members are not
Jewish, and some of them actually got into the river. It was lovely!
We ended up across from Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee to
board a wooden boat cruise. The staff hoisted an American, French and Irish
flag with the corresponding anthems. We cruised across the sea to Tiberius,
taking photos, admiring the scenery, and dancing the hora….magical night.
We arrived at our new hotel, The Ramot Resort Hotel, a beautiful hotel on a mountain
(of course). We were welcomed by wine and cookies, sat on the outside terrace
and just chilled. Didn’t even shower before dinner, even though we really
needed to! Emily and I are roommates now, Jodi is getting her own room for a
couple of nights!
Day 10:
Jodi's birthday, Election Day, and another great day in Israel. On the bus early (for a change) and first stop, a Jeep Tour of the Golan Heights. We drove through the area of Syria that was taken over in 1967. Believe or not, there are still signs in Hebrew, English and Arabic warning people to beware of the mines leftover from when the land was Syria. Thankfully for us (and partly because of some stupid cows) there were no mines on our route. At the top of the mount was an abandoned bunker, a spectacular view of the valley, a history lesson and finally some brewed tea that was really tasty.
Our next stop was for coffee at the Mount Bental Bunker, a sight where you can see a wonderful view of Lebenon, Syria and the Golan Heights. Also the home of some really unique sculptures by an Israeli sculptor. The coffee was pretty good too!!
We pile back on the bus for a scenic ride to Banyas National Park and the Cesaeria Philipe. We were given a quick explanation of the area, took a few pictures, and then loitered around the gift shop waiting for the bus to come back. Some of the group (most of the group) were anxious to stimulate the Israeli economy at Sfad! So that we did!!
Sfad is a Kabbalic mystical community, and the shops are fabulous, as it is also an artist colony. I was one of the few who took precious moments in the shopping schedule to visit the synagogue there. Then I took precious time to EAT, and had this delicious (recommended) Israeli pizza with eggplant, mushroom, zucchini and red pepper with these amazing Israeli spices and a little cheese on a flat sesame pizza made in a wood burning oven (oh my!!). Sorry I spent so many words on this one food item, but it was THAT GOOD!
Every one came back on the bus with all their wares, I had Shabbat candles made in the candle factory and 6 bracelets. Note: the candle factory was very interesting. First, it smelled like a candle. Second, there were candle sculptures that were under glass and were amazing in their detail etc. Third, there were thousands of hand made candles from tapirs, to shabbat, to chanukkah and beyond. Great store.
We came back to the hotel and the sunset over the Sea of Galilee took one's breath away. The rest of the day is devoted to relaxation, wine, dinner, shower, packing and bed, necessarily in that order!! Tomorrow, the road to Haifa!!
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