Trip to the Holy Land - photothread.

[Bettyboo]

I'm a bit lazy, so I'm not going to edit for spelling or grammar (both of which I'm crap at...):

The first few sights inside the old city walls (well... built by the Ottomans after the Romans destroyed the second temple in the first century (70CE). Of course you will remember that the Babylonians destroyed the first temple in 586 BC. Then King Cyrus the Great (a Persian who defeated the Babylonians) gave the money to rebuild the temple (called: The Second Temple) while supporting the Jews to return to Judea, in 350BC. Many changes were made at various times, but Herod the Great (a Roman proxy much hated by the Jews) made major improvements to the second temple during his reign (40bc to 4 ad).

















^ There are four main areas of the old city; Armenian (most of the above pictures are there), Jewish, Arab and Christian (mostly Orthodox - six orthodox groups came together).

Many parts of the city, over the three major building times, were built atop previous structures/foundations, etc, built in different places, and there are lots of discussions about this - for example, is the current Temple Mount Al-Aqsa mosque actually built atop of King David's tomb? You can imagine why this causes issues...

The First Temple (of the mount) was built in 990 - 930 BC by Solomon, the son of King David (you know, the fella with the sling shot).

The next couple of pictures are at a lower level foundations, from around the first century (although some murials, etc, were added later, the flooring is original (probably) from over 2000 years ago.





^ this is how the old city would have looked back in the day... The map was (if I remember correctly) done by the Egyptians and found in Jordan before being relocated here.




^ this area was the market, and this is an "everyday" scene. It's most notable as the only goat on this entire thread!

You can see Tal, the tour guide.

[Bettyboo]

Did you have an epiphany or what ever her name was?

Nope, I found the place interesting, but didn't feel all religious or become cleansed...

[malmomike77]

I'm a bit lazy

.

Is that why you chose some $60 horror with 1970s décor as opposed to the Lords guest house where you surely would have received communion?

[Bettyboo]

Moving into the Jewish quarter...

The synagogue below is the most important one used in Jerusalem (the most important being the Al-Aqsa mosque at the top of the mount which the Jews cannot use - this is a significant bone of contention...).




Now some general photos while walking towards the Western wall (of the Mount, as in Temple of the Mount - the most holy place for Jews, but currently "out of use".





The shot below shows great perspective because it shows the Western (Wailing) Wall of the temple mount with the Al-Aqsa mosque (with the golden dome) atop the Temple Mount which is the Holy Jewish Temple going back to the 3000 years.












It wasn't crazy hot today, luckily, but certainly spending a lot of time under the sun (not a lot of cloud...) needed plenty of water intake and finding shade whenever possible...




The next few shots are the Western Wall; Bob Marley fans will know it as the Wailing Wall. It's actually the western foundational wall for the mount (where the Temple of the Mount is), and is thus the closest to the Temple Mount that the Jews are allowed to pray. It's split into a female praying area and a male praying area.









Below is a general shot looking out of the old city while walking up to the Temple Mount:

[Bettyboo]

Is that why you chose some $60 horror with 1970s décor as opposed to the Lords guest house where you surely would have received communion?

I didn't stay in Jerusalem at all.

But, as you'll see at the market later, it is an interesting and bustling city outside of the old city. If I went again (and I'd quite like to) then I'd stay in Jerusalem for 2 or 3 days and look around at my own pace. It feels very safe - really!

[Bettyboo]

The next photos are on the Temple Mount.

The Al-Aqsa mosque was built in 1035, according to Islamic beliefs, it is where Mohammed ascended to Heaven. It's the one with the golden roof. This whole area is Islamic dominated and non-Muslims can only visit at certain times.






















Below is the Al-Aqsa mosque and the views around it. I wasn't allowed inside for a looksee:
















Soooo, that's the Temple Mount.

We walked up a stairway that led from the Jewish quarter, but past the Al-Aqsa mosque is a stairway down into the markets of the Arab quarter.

Down there:











Then, towards the Christian quarter...

[Bettyboo]

Via Dolorosa: Via Dolorosa - Wikipedia


Jesus getting sentenced, carrying the cross and being crucified - you can take an entire tour of the many (14?) stations/"highlight points". Here's are a couple of photos:






(^ Simon of Cyrene helps to carry the cross at this point.)


Below is where, apparently, Jesus fell over while struggling with the cross, and left a hand print. Over the years, many pilgrims have laid their hands upon the same spot leading to a deep imprint. I took a picture, but didn't touch it due to the risk of leprosy...




The path continues to it's climax which is a rather important orthodox church.

[Bettyboo]

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.



(Stock image, not my photo - that's why it looks good... )


Built upon the site where Jesus was crucified. It has his cross (or at least one of the three at that location when Jesus was crucified with two lowly thieves. &, it has the slab that his body was cleaned upon and covered in cloth before being placed in a cave. There's a lot of other artifacts too.

Many many photos here, as it was cool inside, and a very cool place with a lot of interesting elements. I'll cut them into several posts and just add rare comments. If you want more info: Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Wikipedia












The slab where Jesus' body was cleaned and wrapped in cloth after his death. He was then placed into a burial cave which was fairly common at that time. The exact location of the cave??? There is a real burial cave in this church, but it seems to be indicative of the type of burial cave, but not Jesus' burial cave.

[Bettyboo]

More photos of the orthodox church - six "branches" of the orthodox church came together to build/run/maintain it.








^ the very location where he was crucified (?). Although, it wasn't inside a church then... Like many churches, they are built upon important religious sites.









^ Jesus' crucifixion cross.











An impressive place, most would agree (can I be bold enough to suggest?).


&, as if that wasn't enough, strolling out of the old city was a T-shirt seller:

[Bettyboo]

Next, we left the old city and walked to a tram station then went three stops to the largest market in Israel - the food was fantastic; I could eat there every day for a week...

Here are some photos taken on the way:

[Bettyboo]

At the Market...

I didn't take nearly enough photos to do it justice, just a few pics from the shops I bought food at. There were 16 people on the tour, and everyone headed off in different directions for about 90 minutes before the coach back to Tel Aviv. I went off with Tal the tour guide; we got some food from stalls that she suggested were great (she has lived in Jerusalem for many years, so reckoned I'd trust her judgement) then she took me to a local park to relax and eat...

















That was pretty much the end of a long, tiring, but rewarding day.

Could I suggest that this is one of the World's premier "tourist sites", and it didn't disappoint.

I slept on the 90 minute trip back to Tel Aviv (it was now about 5pm, so heavier traffic). The tour started at 8am at Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv and ended about 6:30pm at the same spot. I highly recommend them as a place to stay, hang out, drink, meet people and take tours.

On the way back to my AirBnB, I stoped at suk Caramel for a bagel...

Had it with a beer and went to sleep early.






The next day, I was up early to go on a Jaffa Old Town tour - another fantastic place. It's on a hill that overlooks Tel Aviv; they've merged into one city now.

Here's a sample pic:

[helge]

I didn't take nearly enough photos to do it justice

You can say that again

[katie23]

Very nice, betts. My only complaint - still no sighting of you wearing Jesus sandals!

I think you're back in Korea? Glad you enjoyed your trip!


Edit: I looked at how the women were dressed. Seems like sleeveless shirts and shorts (though not short shorts) are OK. I wouldn't want to commit a fashion faux pas when entering temples/ churches. I also saw that Tal, your tour guide wore loose cotton trousers. So it seems that my elephant pants will be OK there!

I've taken similar guided day tours. You'll get to see a lot but you're tired afterwards! Thanks for the effort of taking pics & posting them. Top effort!

[Bettyboo]

^ On the temple mount, the Muslims require more conservative clothing, but they provide long trousers, shawls, etc for free; no shorts, short skirts or shoulders.

Back in Korea now, yes - it's crap; just ask the scouts...


^^ harsh. I was tired, just wanted to eat.


^^^ the "bagel" is in fact a mini challah bread - one of my personal favourites...




(I'll post up the Jaffa old town trip later, then this thread is done... )

[Bettyboo]

I've taken similar guided day tours. You'll get to see a lot but you're tired afterwards! Thanks for the effort of taking pics & posting them. Top effort!

Thanks, Katie.

I was pretty lazy in England, and generally avoided the heat in Israel, but the Jerusalem trip was a 16km day...

[Bettyboo]

Pedestrians, cyclists and cars...

Tel Aviv is well planned out for the above. I took a 30 minute walk to Jaffa from South Tel Aviv, and here is the walk:














^ lots of grass for dogs too; there are a lot of dog walkers in this city.






^ they're building a subway system, but may take some time yet (seen lots of stations that looked nearly open).

Obviously, the bikes and scooters were still very aggressive, but at least the pedestrians had their own space. The cars were good; actually abided by road rules/laws and were polite to pedestrians.

One of the best street systems I've seen.

[Bettyboo]

Arriving at the Jaffa clock tower where the 2 hour tour starts at 11am. I was a little early, so had some breakfast.










Quite pleasant sitting watching the world go by for 30 minutes. The food tasted good, and cost about £12 (and that was a cheap place).

[Mendip]

^ So, is that an original Jaffa cake?

It seems that the cyclists are completely segregated from the proper roads for proper traffic and have their cycle paths alongside pedestrian walkways. That must be the way to go.

[Bettyboo]

Jaffa is at the Southern tip of Tel Aviv - the beach just continues into Jaffa port/harbour.

Jaffa itself is on a hill with protective walls and lots of narrow walkways. It's an ancient city, the main port in Judea for a few thousand years; many biblical references and important historical happenings.

It's also a beautiful and very expensive to live; cost of houses is extremely high (not that you could get one...).


This is the tour:







^ up the hill, overlooking Tel Aviv.











Next, St Peter's church, one of the most famous apostles, and this church unusually faces West.

















Next, getting into the mazey streets...

[Bettyboo]

^ So, is that an original Jaffa cake?

It seems that the cyclists are completely segregated from the proper roads for proper traffic and have their cycle paths alongside pedestrian walkways. That must be the way to go.

As all good inventions, I believe (could be wrong... ) that Jaffa Cakes are from The Great British Empire. Although, I will concede that we did not invent Jaffa oranges.

Yes, on the walkways - get wide pedestrian streets, give the nasty cyclists and other aggressive battery machine riders their own space - give it a colour to make sure they keep to it. &, the cars should have a space too...

[Bettyboo]

...carrying on the Jaffa tour:




















It was around lunchtime, the sun high in the sky, the clouds had gone, and it was hot - hence, not a lot of people around.

It's the middle of summer in Israel, so not a popular time of year for folks to visit - good for me, but a tad too hot at times...

[Bettyboo]

...but, the tour goes on:


























A couple of the older members of the tour were struggling with: 1) the heat; 2) the constant up and down (and the bloody tour guide was going at pace, not slowing down)...

[Bettyboo]

...break time; quite a nice little cafe with a nice view. But, just a water and a little pistachio cake.



























The tour was coming towards a close. A hanging orange tree:





Now, just looking forward to the big climax: the Uri Gellar museum which contains the biggest spoon in the world!

[Bettyboo]

The big two finished off the tour: Jonah's Whale and The Uri Geller Museum (which, sadly, I didn't have time to visit...):











Tour over, decided to walk back to the hostel via Jaffa Harbour:















From the harbour, you can walk up a staircase back up to the top of the hill if your like:





Nope...

I was absolutely cream crackered, so just headed back to a hostel I'd booked for the night for £12, but just used the shower, storage lockers for my gear, the free cool water in the relaxing lounge with free wifi; also, pretty close to the train to the airport.


Jaffa was a lovely place, but perhaps could be done more leisurely with multiple rest/food stops.

[Bettyboo]

Finally, around 7pm, headed to the airport (quick and easy - 1 stop, a couple of Great British Pounds.

Had a sandwich and a beer at the airport.




Went to my gate:




It was a 10 hour flight, so I paid $100 extra for an isle emergency exit seat with loads of space:



^ the Korean lady was clearly pleased to see me.

The plane was packed (Koreans, Russians and Israelis everywhere... ), si I was pleased to have got the better seat.




Took care to watch the emergency briefing from the Korean Air staff:







At Incheon, got a bus/coach right at the terminal, took 3 hours, but I slept most of the way. &, was pleased to see the dog when I got home - he was happy to try on his new winter raincoat that I'd bought for him in England (sadly, I was so busy on this trip that I didn't have time to buy the wife anything...).




Lastly, to celebrate the trip, I opened a decent bottle of wine, drank it all and had a long sleep.




All parts of the trip were successful apart from: 1) the trauma of visiting Harlow shopping centre; 2) Luton airport.

If you haven't been to the Holy Land then you should go - we just beat Stoke