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HAIFA, ISRAEL,  6 November


‘We have nothing to lose and a world to see.”


Arrived in Haifa early  this morning, we were docked before I even woke up!  An early start after breakfast, we did a small group tour to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee.  The drive to Nazareth was about 40 minutes, interesting terrain all the way, huge mountains and some of the roads were worse than those in Melbourne at the moment. Sadly our guide was pretty terrible,  think he was nervous and hesitated to say anything unless provoked. And there was plenty of that of course!  We did travel 

to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home and then on to Mary’s Well and the revered Basilica of the Annunciation, built where the Archangel Gabriel revealed to Mary she would be Jesus’ mother. It has a  remarkable 170-foot-high cupola, a collection of magnificent artwork and the altar, which houses a piece of the grotto where Mary lived. Were meant to visit St Joseph’s church over his carpentry shop but it was only pointed out in the distance.  Did a very quick fly-past of Cana, the church where Jesus turned the water to wine but no one had their cameras ready for the 15 second opportunity!!!  We were all a bit p…..d off about that but the guide didn’t seem to understand all this was in the itinerary!   From there we drove to Tabgha, on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. And parted the waters!!  The Sea of Galilee is actually an inland sea, really beautiful.  It is 21 kms long, 13 kms wide and 14 metres deep.  Was quite spectacular with the Golan Heights in the background.  

Drove along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the River Jordan - a most interesting place.  Hoards of people, dozens doing the baptismal bit, wearing white gowns and being taken into the river and dunked!!!  Someone is making a fortune somewhere!  All those white gowns and towels don’t come cheap although funny thing is they became quite transparent after the dunking and was interesting what was underneath!!!!! But, lots of Africans and others taking the plunge!  

Lunch was at a kibbutz, a bit different from the one Jan W worked at I presume.  It consisted of lots of salads, meats and soup etc, along with wine or water.  Was quite nice, we were all hungry by 2.30!  

The final stop was at a diamond business - diamonds from other countries are cut and polished etc in Israel - apparently recognised world wide.  I don’t think anyone on our bus purchased anything.  Lemons without gin for the rest of the night.  We’re all tired, did have BBQ dinner on the pool deck with some Americans.  The pace is pretty fast!!!! 


  



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