Israel - Jerusalem, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee

WtWW wanted me to let you know that this is the DH.  I am still working to upload all of my pictures and montages up on YouTube.

Ashdod and Jerusalem, Israel 

From Egypt we set sail for Israel.  We arrived in Ashdod, Israel on Palm Sunday (April 10), but we couldn't dock.  We spent all day anchored in the bay while Israeli Health Officials came on board and administered their Covid Test to every passenger and crew member.  Once we all cleared the health check, we were able to dock early on Monday morning.

On Monday we took an excursion to Jerusalem.  It was really special to be in Jerusalem during Holy Week.  We were all very moved as we walked through the Garden of Gethsemane, and followed the Via Dolorosa.  Seeing the ray of sunlight shining through the skylight directly on the empty tomb was thrilling.  It was a very special day.

This was such an emotionally packed day, that RtWW had to break this up into 2 posts.  Our visit to Bethlehem was very special.  We had to change tour guides as we headed into Bethlehem since this is Palestinian controlled area.  The Church of the Nativity was beautiful, and we were able to see the place where the stable was believed to be.   This is yet another location designated by St. Helena in the Third Century.  As our tour guide explained, if this isn't the exact spot, it is probably within a few hundred yards so it is close enough to get the general feeling of the place. 

In the Church of the Nativity they hold a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve which our tour guide said is very moving.  He asked us to all sing together Silent Night, however he started it so high that by the end it was only Diana singing it.  The church was a beautiful place to sing, and Diana's voice just soared through the church!  I am not able to embed the video, but you can see it HERE.

Haifa, Israel

The next port-of-call was in Haifa, Israel.  From here we took an excursion that took us to Nazareth where we saw the Church of the Annunciation, and the Church of Joseph.  We drove past Cana where Jesus turned the water into wine, and went to the Sea of Galilee where we saw the locations of the Feeding of the 5,000, Jesus baptism and the Sermon on the Mount.  

The Sea of Galilee is a huge fresh water lake that provides water for Israel and Jordan.  We looked out on the lake with awe, and at one point Kristy said, "Just imagine, Jesus walked on that water."  About that time a speed boat went past us.  The people there see this as a fun recreation area.  The setting was beautiful and so peaceful.

We were overnight in Haifa, but we decided to take day 2 as a quasi-sea day.  You can read about our relaxing day at Haifa Sea Day & a Real One.

Next up is Rhodes, Ephesus and Istanbul.