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Ashdod, Israel November 7


“Travel is my therapy” 


Sailed overnight to the port of Ashdod, in Israel.  George informed me he wouldn’t be going on the tour due to over exhaustion - has really been full on - and so I was ready to go on the bus at 7.10 am after an early breakfast.  Ashdod is the sixth largest city in Israel and the largest port for over 60% of the country’s imported goods.  Tel Aviv is 33 kms to the north and Jerusalem 53 kms to the east.  During it’s pre-1956 history the city was settled by Philistines, Israelites, Greek colonists, Romans and Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders and Ottoman Turks.  Ashdod today is home to the largest Moroccan and Karaite Jewish communities in Israel and to the largest Georgian Jewish community in the world. 

The bus departed at 7.30 am and I have to say today’s guide was spot-on!  She didn’t miss a beat, told us all about life in Israel, her kids, her education and how she’d spent 2 years compulsory army service.  We passed by cotton, citrus, vineyards, avocado and banana plantations as well as having the drip-system of irrigation explained.  Seems that system was invented in Israel!  

I was surprised to hear that 60% of Israelis are not religious, 20% are ultra orthodox, not sure about the other 20%!!! Our guide, Rita, told us that the Jews have 613 commandments - equal to the amount of seeds in a pomegranate!!  Poetic licence there, for sure.  She also explained the curls and beards worn by the ultra Orthodox Jews - apparently when the crops are taken from a field the corners are left intact so that the poor can eat free from these sections.  Hair is the same, curls to be left and

beards not shaved for the same reason.  I guess the head/face is considered to be a square shape!  

So, back to the tour.  First stop was at a huge shop - they sold everything from jewellery, to wooden objects, glassware, pottery, and Christian objects that could be blessed later on.  On the way to Bethlehem we passed through the Palestinian border and arrived at Manger Square and the lovely

 Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto believed to be Jesus’ birthplace. This is an absolutely beautiful church, such a pity there were so many people everywhere!  Hoards of pilgrims from all parts of the world seem to be in Israel!  The line to go to the actual manger was so long we missed seeing it!  Couldn’t believe the litter and general garbage strewn all around the place. Was absolutely filthy in the Arab section.  Back on the bus, we had wonderful views of Jerusalem whilst driving back to the border - at the checkpoint an Israeli soldier came aboard with a machine gun to check some passports and make sure we weren’t carrying any extra passengers!  

Next stop was at the old walled city.  Entered through the east gate and made our way towards the Western Wall, the Wailing Wall. Men to the left, women to the right!!!! We all touched the wall, some of us left a little message which is the done thing, (not telling what I wrote of course!!). Several families were celebrating bar mitzvahs with their sons, so nice to see the young boys decked out in their finery.  

From there we walked an amazing amount of steps to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - once again, very crowded but well worth seeing.  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Golgotha hill, is the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. On again up yet more steps to the Jaffa Wall where our bus was waiting.  

Lunch followed at the Olive Tree Hotel, a very nice buffet.  After lunch we passed  significant sites such as the Knesset and Hebrew University before arriving at the Mount of Olives, where the panoramic vistas of the splendid walled Old City were something else! At the Mount’s base, we went to the Garden of Gethsemane and the impressive Church of All Nations. This church is really lovely, and the Garden of Gethsemane was very peaceful and cool. Some of the olive trees date back centuries!

This was an all time favourite tour, such history and things put into perspective. 

To describe everything we saw would take pages so I’ve only skirted around the edges!  Tomorrow is a day of rest - we leave Ashdod at midday and will have several days at sea to recuperate!!!!  

  


  


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