Today proved to be a very exciting day! We set out from the hotel to the north to visit several places prominent in the Bible. We had so much fun at the party last night that some people were struggling today but we all made it out!
We started our day with a trip to Ceasarea. This is where Paul was kept in house arrest before he went on trial before Ceasar. We even travelled the same route he did when he was taken from Jerusalem.
We saw the theater first where they would have plays and entertain up to 40,000 people. It has a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea and they still have concerts there today.
We then went to the ruins along the ocean. It was really cool but I'm much more obsessed with the sea. The water was warm and not rough which is so much better than our oceans at home. Plus the shore was covered with seashells. I've never seen water this color before either.
We went to the spot that would have been Paul's prison and it had a beautiful mosaic that looked brand new and bats in the caves.
We left there and headed to Mount Carnel where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. This was really cool because it was the site where this actually happened. One of those places that gives you goosebumps.
The too of Mount Carmel also overlooks the valley of Armageddon. Dr. Tabor read the prophecy from Revelation and explained how all armies would assemble there before going to attack Jerusalem.
After a quick lunch at a place that seemed like it's definitely going to give us all food poisoning, we headed on to the Sea of Galilee. On the way, we passed the cliff in Nazareth where Jesus was about thrown off of that is described in Luke. It seems like such an unimportant story but it gave me chills to see that place. We passed it in the bus so I couldn't get a picture.
Dr. Tabor likes to say the area on the way to the sea is child Jesus' backyard playground. He thinks he probably climbed mount Tabor and played all in the valleys growing up. It's an interesting idea to think of 10 year old Jesus playing through the area before it was all developed.
We stopped at Mygdal where Mary Magdalene was from. There was another 1st century dig there so we walked around. It was about 7 billion degrees outside so we didn't stay long.
Sea of Galilee at the bottom of the hill
They did not want any fishing in the parking lot...
Finally we made it to the Sea of Galilee. I have only ever read of this and I am so in awe of it. The water was calm and crystal clear. You could see the fish swimming around your feet. It was quite refreshing.
I loved this place too. I wish we had more time here because it was so much fun.
It took us 2 hours to get home and the bus overheated so we had to stop on the way home to let it cool. In the meantime, Dr. Tabor and I sang the old church songs like the wee little man Zachias in the tree and as we passed Jericho we sang Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho. It was hilarious and so fun.
We freshened up before going to dinner as a group for a farewell dinner. It was so much fun! Now we have to pack since we're leaving tomorrow and all...wish me luck...
Kevin Doing Nothing:
I haven't seen Kevin all day an have nothing to post. Here's an oldie but goodie
