Glass Too Big: Israel

Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Holy Church of Sepulchre Old City - Jerusalem, Israel

After lunch we returned to the Old City. Not to speak for Jesus, but he would be upset by the commercialism surrounding the old city.

The Stone of Anointing, where Jesus' body was prepared for burial.

The balconey is the Adam Chapel and just inside is where Jesus was crucified

The Aedicule - houses two rooms. It houses what is believed to be the tomb and the stone that sealed the tomb.

Just across from the Stone of Anointing

This was the end of the tour. We wanted to head out to the Dead Sea but it would be too long of a drive so we were on the way back to Ashdod. At Ashdod we took a quick bus tour of the city.

Old City Jerusalem, Israel - Part 1

City of David

Zooming in

Dung Gate

Solomon's Stables? That's what the guide said or something like it.

Solomon's Stables?

West Wall, the Wailing Wall is divided into the men's and women's section. Very interesting to see the devotion.

Mary's Tomb - Jeruselum, Israel

Within a couple hundred yards of Gethsemane

It's a long way down.

The exterior of the sarcophagus as we waited to enter

The sarcophagus

Exiting the sarcophagus chamber

Basilica of Agony Gethsamane - Jerusalem, Israel

Continuing through the Garden of Gethsame, we rounded the corner and had this magnificent view.

Outside the Basilica looking at the Old City

Inside the Basilica. The bedrock

The bedrock where Jesus prayed the night he was betrayed.

Gethsemane Garden - Jerusalem, Israel; Ashdod, Israel - RC Mariner Day 7

The ship docked in Ashdod. Jerusalem is about a 1 hour drive away. The negotiation with the taxi driver was protracted to reach Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The day would be long and busy.

Our driver took us to do shopping for Dead Sea products. I should have been tipped off about our driver when we spent 30 minutes here.

A view of the Old City. The gold dome is the Temple on the Rock.

The Bible came to life. There was a certain amount of unbelief that I was here walking the same path of Jesus.

Olive trees. Beautiful and stout. Are these 2000 plus years old?

Next to the Olive tree that purportedly Jesus prayed at before his betrayal. How did people know this was the exact tree? Do olive trees live this long?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Haifa, Israel - RC Mariner Day 6

Haifa Hasmona rail station. This is one of three stations in Haifa. Our journey to Tel Aviv began here. When it was time to return, we took the train back to Haifa. Only it wasn't the same one but we didn't realize it and by asking strangers on the rail, we had to get off the train, walk up a flight of stairs and transfer to another train to get back to this station. Whew! Again it was the kindness of strangers in Tel Aviv that helped pave our way.

Bahai Gardens. After a day in Tel Aviv, we were too tired to journey all the way up.

Governement Building. Makes me think of Dubai.

Bahai Garden at night. Even on a stationary object, the image came out blurry.

We returned to the ship late and had dinner in the Windjammer.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Carmal Market. A security checkpoint was also present.

More of the market

We stepped into a store to cool off. This caught my eye.

You can attract more flies with honey...

Making our way back and passing by the Central Bus Station

There are three or was it four rail stations in Tel Aviv? The Hagana station is where we exited to start our tour of Old Jaffa Tel Aviv. Now it was time to head back to Haifa. Again another security checkpoint.

Old Jaffa Tel Aviv, Israel

The day started with arrival in Haiffa, Israel. We took the rail to Tel Aviv stopping at the Ha' Hagana rail station. We then walked out of the station, taking a left, and walked about 5 minutes to the Central Bus station. We bought what we thought to be a day pass but the bus driver spoke English poorly and sold us a single ride ticket. Bus No. 4.