Today started super early as we had to make the 2+ hr drive north to the Sea of Galilee. It was such a beautiful drive through the hills with all of the green farmland. I wanted to take so many pictures as you could see the horizon for miles and miles with the Jordan calmly winding down below.
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| Morning fog outside of Jerusalem |
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| Views on way to Galilee |
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| Views on way to Galilee |
We picked up our tour guide, Ross, at a bus stop just south of the Sea of Galilee. We made a quick connection with him and his love for God and the land was apparent.
Our first stop was at Yardenit, the popular baptism spot for tourists. We passed on getting dunked because it was cold. Ross briefly explained a few things about the area and we took some pics and loaded up.
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| Yardenit |
On our way to Tiberias, Ross phoned in a to-go order at a sandwhich shop. We had a little trouble finding it because it is a little hole in the wall off the tourist path. But we got our order and headed up to Ginosar to the museum of the Ancient boat.
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| Sandwich Shop in Tiberias |
But before seeing the ancient boat, we had to ride one across the lake. Ours was the "Shimon". It was just a 30 minute ride down and back across the northern end but it made for a ton of pics and more conversation with our new friend Ross.
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| Ancient Boat museum at Kibbutz Ginosar |
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| Our boat on the Sea of Galilee |
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| Beautiful |
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| Northern shore of Sea of Galilee |
We visited the museum and then headed to Magdala to see a new discovery since my last visit 18 years ago. The rain began to pick up so we ate our lunch under the awning there. The sandwiches were delicious (I had pastrami with humus, olives, carrot slices and bell peppers). As we waited for the rain pass we had fun discussing the Bible with Ross and even telling some jokes.
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| Bible study at lunch |
After a while, the rain let up enough for us to discover a 1st century synagogue that archaeologists found when plans were underway for the construction of a hotel on that site. This is a very important discovery as it confirms the NT narrative and was likely frequented by Jesus and his disciples and Mary of Magdala. We also saw other excavations there and what was likely the boat dock at the time showing just how far the lake has receded.
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| Synagogue at Magdala |
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| Synagogue at Magdala |
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| Shoreline used to be up to here |
From there we went to Capernaum, Kfar (Village) Nahum, which means "Comfort". This is a beautiful site was very busy as it was the HQ for Jesus' public ministry. Ross (an orthodox Jew) read to us from Luke and Mark showing the significance of Capernaum. We visited the synagogue which is from the 5th century but was built over the original one. We also visited Peter's house which Ross was very interested in. And of course I had to get more pics of the Sea of Galilee from the shore.
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| Entrance to Capernaum |
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| Ross reading from Gospels about events that occurred in Capernaum |
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| Synagogue from Byzantine era built over original Synagogue |
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| Archaeologists believe this to be Shimon Peter's house |
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| Sea of Galilee from Capernaum |
We spent quite a bit of time at Capernaum so we passed on going to Tabgah where the mosaic of loaves and fishes is. We made our way back through Tiberias, my eyes glued to the window as the lake was now on my side of the van.
We stopped at a kibbutz where a army tank has remained dead in it's tracks since 1948. We got out for some pics and a quick history lesson from Ross.
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| Tank from 1948 |
I was hoping to get a quick visit to Beit Shean but we decided on learning more about the kibbutz lifestyle by taking Ross home at his kibbutz at the top of Mt. Gilboa. It was very cold and windy at the summit so we didn't spend much time out of the van, but we learned this was where King Saul was killed. We also learned about the tech innovations here that is changing the power industry as well as the farming practices of the kibbutz. Steve was miserable from the cold so we took the conversation to the van. But I would not be denied getting more pics from the summit as the sun was beginning to set. Absolutely gorgeous views.
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| New power plant at kibbutz on Mt. Gilboa |
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| Mt. Gilboa |
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| From top of Mt. Gilboa |
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| Sunset view from Mt. Gilboa |
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| Headed back down Mt. Gilboa |
We said goodbye to Ross and headed down the mountain. We stopped for dinner at a restaurant recommended to us by Ross. The fresh bread and dips were amazing. My spicy beef sausage was delicious but couldn't finish the 4th one because I was so stuffed. Tourists are missing out on this little gem as the village is off the main road.
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| Our restaurant |
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| Steve said, "I just want a burger & fries" |
After a long day and bellies full, now begins the long journey back South to Elazar. I passed out for a little while but most of the time I just gazed at the moon rising over the Jordanian mountains and the never ending lights in the distance along the Jordan River valley.
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