These first couple of pictures actually wrap up Wednesday night - more pretty scenery...
c...then we went and saw some pretty scenery at the local diamond store. Israel is huge in cutting diamonds, so we checked out one of the local stores. Turns out I love black diamonds! (They're very nice to let you try things on with no intention of buying them!)
They don't do much proof reading here - you can get memories from the "hollyland" :)
There was a lot of rain Wednesday night, but Thursday morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise. THese are all pictures from around our hotel - it was so nice, and I would imagine the water park is nice during the summer!
Breakfast overlooking the Sea of Galilee
The Jordan River - Hebrew=Yal Dan= descending from the Dan
Coming into the city of Dan
The wading pool is man-made from the Byzantine era
The city walls of Dan
Altar outside the gate of the city - travelers to the city could offer sacrifices to the king in hopes that he would allow them to enter the city.
The picture of what the scene may have looked like thousands of years ago. The gate is thought to be the most interesting and most vulnerable part of these ancient cities.
This is the canopy (where Uncle Kenny on the left is standing) where the king would sit on his throne and make decisions about who could enter the city gates.
We were standing on what was at one time a "high place" where Israelites sacrificed to different gods and idols. A Bema. A cultic site set up as a false worship system to keep the people from leaving three times a year to worship in Jerusalem.
The white building in the distance is in Lebanon - several countries seemed very close.
One of the most awesome places we have been - the Triple Arch Gate - a 4000 year old gate that Abraham himself walked through! How amazing is that!?!
See the 3 layers of arches?
Bannias waterfall
This is usually a tranquil, trickling spring, but there has been so much rain that it was roaring!
Caesarea Philipi (that's the shrine to pan in the background)
The people would throw their sacrifices into the water then wait to see if they were accepted (disappeared) or rejected (visible within 60-90 seconds down stream). This was at the Temple to Pan, and the anxiety they felt while waiting led to the term "panic". This was also called "The Gates of Hades" which Jesus referred to.
This area includes the temple of Zeus, the court of Nemesis, and the Temple of Pan and the Sacred Goats.
Similar to our Groundhog's Day, the blooming almond tree tells them how much longer winter will last.
Rock Rabbit
Shrine of the Druse
Some believe this is where the transfiguration took place.
Olive Press Weight and other big stone tools
Super old olive trees - beautiful
Sam trying out the fresh pressed pomegranate juice - he didn't care for it, but I liked it a lot!
Grandma selling juice and other goods
Falafel - official snack of Israel!
The family who owned the store brought in a basket of freshly picked fruit and invited us all to help ourselves! It was one of the sweetest apples I've ever eaten!
This one's for the boys - some kind of statue made from scrap metal
more of the same
At the top of the hill there were bunkers and the silhouettes of soldiers - I love the sign showing the direction of several places.
Also at the top of the hill was a great little coffee shop that looked like one you'd find at a ski lodge. The hot chocolate and chocolate cake were phenomenal.
When we got back to the hotel that night, I stayed in the lobby where the free internet access was, as I had the previous night. This time, the locals' weekend had begun, and there was a party/concert happening in the lobby. Very loud and lots of dancing and lights.
The Israeli children ran unattended all around us and the hotel was loud well into the night. This was our last night at the Sea of Galilee.
2 comments:
What a trip of a lifetime!! Looks like you had a wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it when we have lunch.
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