Up and off bright and early on Thursday morn. You can see the city of Tiberius across the Sea of Galilee, stretching up the side of the hills. We pass mango and avocado trees ... everything is green around the Sea. All around are the black soil and black boulders, basalt rocks and soil from the Golan Heights volcano system some 50,000 years ago.
We arrive at the Capernaum site, where we spend several hours. Matthew 4 speaks of Jesus' home being in the area, and he is spoken of as having performed miracles and healings there. The ruins of homes are mostly of the black rock, still rounded. It was only shaped into blocks for important buildings, such as the synagogue. We enter the 4th century synagogue ruins, where some of the parts are original, and others are reformed. The floor is original, and one of the columns from the 4th century has an inscription in Aramaic, Jesus' language (turns out it is a statement of who donated funds for part of the building in the 300's)
There are many ruins at this site, including an area from the 1st century. It is considered to be an original home church site, the Home of Peter, where 1st century Christians worshiped. The walls of a 4th century Byzantine church surround it, in an octagon shape - a surprise to me. A 1980's octagon church is suspended above it, the Church of St Peter, and you can look upon the ruins below through a glass floor.
We head down the road to the Tabgha Benedictine Monastery, next to the shore where Jesus asked Peter "Do you love me?" There are artifacts all around, such as an olive press of stone.
We move on to the Mount of Beatitudes, the spot chosen as the tradition, though there is no proof. We read from the Sermon on the Mount. I must admit, I get so involved I end up forgetting to take notes! Most of us step over to the Sea of Galilee to collect a few rocks that have felt its waters, or even put out toes in. (no I did not fall or jump in)
We drive on. As we drive we see the Golan Heights on the opposite side of the Sea. They are 45 miles long, formed by old volcanoes. We pass the largest of the Israeli tels, the 210 acre Tel Hazor (a tel is a mound where one layer of a civilization is built on the previous peoples rubble)
Since we began our journey, it has been one great lesson after another. Mike, our guide, is constantly filling us in on all kinds of history, cultural info, political info, etc. both current and historic.
We can see Mt Hermon in the distance (9,000 feet high). We can also see Lebanon to one side and Syria to the other, in the distance. The roads have barbed wire along them with yellow signs warning of land mines (old ones) Israel really is not a huge place!
McDonald's!
We arrive at Caesarea Phillipi, at the bottom of Mt Hermon, where Peter declared the nature of Jesus..."Who do you say that I am?" (Mark's gospel). Interestingly, this is also the place of many pagan ruins, including the Temple of Pan. This is also one of three sources for the Jordan River, and is the most northern point of Jesus' ministry.
We leave this source of life (water) and head up the Golan Heights, and stop for a panoramic view of the valley and Sea of Galilee. On the opposite mountains is the middle ages Nimrod's Castle. We hear the story of how and why there are eucalyptus trees at each Syrian bunker on the Golan Heights.
Driving on we pass terrace farms of apples and cherries, and drive though a few Druze towns. The Druze are a separate peoples living in Israel, with their own secret religion. They began in the 11th century as a break-away group of Islam, following Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses.
I took a photo of a thistle flower in honor of my Dad.
Next is a relaxing stop at the Bahat Winery, where we see the workings and get to sample some good wines. It is part of a kibbutz community, as is a Chocolate Shop!
We head back to the Resort Hotel for clean-up and dinner, and prepare for our morning departure. Did I say that the Israeli elevators are the size of a small closet? And so are most of the bathrooms! Boy are we spoiled at home!
On that note, Went to bed ....zzzzzzzzzzzz
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