Israel Trip: Jerusalem - The Dead Sea or Sea of Salt

Our last stop for that day is Dead Sea.  We have requested this to be included in the tour package.  Thus, Jerusalem trip is only half day tour and the other half was spent in this super hot place.



the sea of salt



The Dead Sea is 377 m (1,237 ft) deep, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. With 33.7% salinity, it is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of water.  It is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean.  This salinity makes for a harsh environment in which animals cannot flourish, hence its name.

Israel Trip: Jerusalem - Western or Wailing Wall (Part 4)

After Sepulchre Church, we headed to the Western or Wailing Wall.  This is the last part of our ancient city tour.

The Wailing Wall has been a site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage for centuries, the earliest source mentioning Jewish attachment to the site dating from the 4th century.  They believed that since this is a part of the original temple, this is the nearest place to where God resides.

These days, not only Jews visit here to pray.

the wailing wall with the fence..beyond the fence are the people praying

Israel Trip: Jerusalem - The Garden of Gethsemane (Part 3)

the Church of the Nations or Church of Agony

Gethsemane means “oil press”.  At that time, this is where the oil was pressed from the olives harvested in the Mount of Olives.  It is located on the slope of Mount of Olives.

Israel Trip: Jerusalem - Via Dolorosa Pilgrimage (Part 2)

As one who is born and raised as a Catholic (and finished my primary and secondary schooling in a Catholic school), I am so familiar with the Station of the Cross.  We always commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ to save mankind.

The tour within Jerusalem walled ancient city is called the Via Dolorosa pilgrimage (the Traditional way).  I think most of the package tours here follow this route.  So let's start with the pilgrimage. Pardon me if I may have missed to take pictures of some of the stations as I'm not listening to the tour guide.  Ako na talaga ang pasaway!

Station 1: Jesus is condemned to death.

Station 2: Jesus took up His cross.  This is located in the Chapel of the Flagellation. I think we didn't go here.

Station 3: This is where Jesus fell for the first time under the weight of His cross.

Station 4: This is where Mary watched her son go by the cross; located now in the Armenian Church of Our Lady of the Spasm. Again, we didn't go here.

Station 5: Simon of Cyrene was forced by Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry His cross.

there is a spot there with a hand print

Israel Trip: Jerusalem - the Holiest Land (Part 1)

July 15, 2011 (Friday).  Yipee the 5-day training is finished!  This is what we are anticipating to do since Day 1 – visiting the Holy Land!!!

A piece of history (from Wikipedia): 

During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BCE, making Jerusalem one of the oldest cities in the world. The old walled city, a World Heritage site, has been traditionally divided into four quarters, although the names used today—the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters—were introduced in the early 19th century. 

The Dome of the Rock within the ancient city.  This is where the first temple originally stood.

Only in Jerusalem that Christians, Muslims and Jews unite.  I wonder why they can't do this in other areas.

Israel Trip: Jaffa - an ancient city port

Ah Jaffa!  I’m simply awed by this place!

Jaffa – Yaffa to the Arabs; is believed to be one of the oldest port cities in the world.  This is being used since the Bronze Age (3300-1200BC).  Yes! It is that old.  It became part of Tel Aviv in 1950.

I have researched on places to visit in Israel and this is one on the list so I bugged my colleague to accompany us there. 



Isn't it magnificent???

Clark, Pampanga: The 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival

After four years, we have returned with friends.  We made sure to witness the early morning balloon flights since we missed it the last time. 



Here we are...

Israel Trip: Tel Aviv Sunsets

 One thing I enjoyed most in Tel Aviv is just walking along the beach since our hotel is located 5 mins. from it.  Since the sun is up until 9PM, we had longer time in discovering what this city has to offer.

When the sun is setting down, you will have a glimpse of a beautiful sunset.  Here are some of my shots for you to enjoy:

people enjoying the beach...

 

Israel Trip: Tel Aviv (mixture of old and new)

It was a “not so good” Monday morning of July 4, 2011 when my Boss suddenly called me.  Obviously, he’s not in the mood so I was hesitant to talk to him (he might scold me due to my tardiness!).  He just told me that there is a training in Israel and since I’m the one handling the equipment, I will be the one to be sent.  I need to get my passport and coordinate with concerns so the necessary documentation be processed immediately….and departure is on July 8.  Is this a joke!!!  God! This is a wonderful joke. Don't you just love being surprised with a good news?

So off to Israel…

First thing in mind????  Not the training of course! But Holy Land!  My mom and I used to dream about going to Holy Land for a pilgrimage..and now here it is!!!!  And everything is FREE (without filing for a leave)!!!!  So for four days, I was full of excitement.

After almost two days of travel – PHL to HK (3 hrs.), 5 hrs. lay-over in HK, HK-SWZ (12 hrs.), 6 hrs. lay-over in SWZ and SWZ-ISR (5 hrs.)…here we are…….Hello  Israel!!!

the Israel flag...

A simple prayer

Let me start this blog with a simple prayer...

"Guide me Lord, that I may be an inspiration to others."