Israel, September 2010

So what does one who travels for a living, do for fun with some extra time off? Why, travel of course! At least we didn't have to get on an airplane. We took a Salamis Cruise from Lemesos, which is only half an hour from our house. Two of the three nights were spent at sea, going to and coming back from Israel. We had two very packed days while we were there and I will try to fit in the highlights. It was a bit of a rough start on Saturday morning as they had to herd 600 people through immigration on the ship before we could get on our buses. The trip to Jerusalem took about two hours. Trust us to pick a holiday to visit. Apparently it was the Festival of Sukkot, when all the Jews visit Jerusalem. Yes, it was crowded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot

http://www.etz-hayim.com/festivals/docs/sukkot.pdf

Our first stop was The Church of the Holy Sepulchre - claimed as the site of the Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus. This Church was built by Queen Helena, Mother of Constantine the Great in 326AD. See the following websites for more information.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=&q=jerusalem+holy+sepulchre&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=-sShTNWDNs-L4AbFj83AAw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQsAQwAA&biw=1225&bih=684

We left the Christian quarter to go to the Wailing Wall in the Jewish quarter which was decorated with Myrtle, Date, Willow and Citrus branches for Sukkot. The following websites are interesting - the first for pictures, the second for more information.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=wailing+wall&psj=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=7eShTOzJHYvU4wa2xJmlAw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CD4QsAQwAw&biw=1225&bih=684

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-western-wall

Along the way we passed by the site of the original St. John Hospital.

To leave the walled city we passed through the Leather makers Gate.

http://www.itsgila.com/tipsgates.htm

From there we had a lovely view of the Mt. of Olives followed by a picture of the wall erected by Israel.

Bethlehem was our next stop and the Church of the Nativity which is said to be built over the cave where Jesus was born.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Nativity

Our late start compounded itself all day, but we did manage to get back to the ship before our allotted seating for dinner ended and the buffet was superb. We then had time for a shower and spruce up before the evening's entertainment. It was 90% Greek, but the singers and dancers were very good, so we did enjoy it. Then off to bed for another early start the next day.

To be continued . . .