Holy Land Journey
Our first stop was in Cana at the church where Jesus performed His first miracle of changing water to wine.
Mom walking along the streets of Cana
From there, we visited Nazareth – a town of 15,000 people now. But in the centre of the town was an area called Nazareth Village. It was a replica of the town of Nazareth in Jesus’ time.
Joseph the carpenter and Hannah the weaver
We then continued south to Bet She’an — the largest of Israel’s archeological digs. It showed what life was like in Roman times.
Ancient city destroyed by earthquake
We made a stop in Jericho to see the ruins of the city, have lunch and do some shopping. From there, we saw a hill named, the Mount of Temptation. Tradition has it that’s where Jesus was tempted by Satan after His baptism in the Jordan.
Jericho ruins
We continued past Gilgal, where the 12 tribes were about to enter the promised land. And Mt. Nebo where Moses died.
Mountain views from our bus
We arrived at our hotel, Leonardo Hotel, on the Dead Sea around 4 p.m. It gets dark around 5 p.m. and they close outdoor pools at 6 p.m. We rushed to experience floating in the Dead Sea before it got too dark.
Mom floating in the Dead Sea
Highlights
Nazareth Village was outstanding to me. I could imagine Jesus walking right where I walked. I especially loved the discovery of the winepress. Grapes were stomped in the top part and flowed through the channel in the rock to the lower hole.
Wine press from Jesus’ time
Floating in the Dead Sea was like no other experience I’ve ever had! I could spend a week alone at this location.
Mom and I floating in the Dead Sea
Really neat Kimberley. I like the picture of the wine press the best. That is so different.
Blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
Yeah, Janis, who knows, Jesus Himself may have stomped grapes in that very same wine press!
Kudos Kimberley — you and your mom took the big Dead Sea dip experience, whereas I merely settled for the foot and foreleg paddle deal. 🙂
May and I particularly appreciated our trip up Mount Nebo and observed the sun glinting off the domes in Jerusalem, way in the distance. It was poignant too, as we considered Moses’ seeing the Promised Land , but not being permitted to enter it during his earthly existence. ~~+~~
Peter, we were warned to spend only 15-minutes at a time in the water because of the high salt content and its effect on blood pressure. Otherwise, I would’ve loved to stay in it all night!