Haifa, Sea of Galilee and Nazareth

Mary's House in Nazareth

We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and saw all of the points that were relevant to Jesus's teachings including the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount.  The Christians on the tour were taking water from the sea to take home.

We drove within 40 kms of the kibbutz that I lived on for 4 months.  Our guide told me that my kibbutz  was still working as a kibbutz, unlike most of them that have been privatised.  In hindsight, I would have liked to hire a car and drive there.

We went to the towns of Tiberis and Nazareth.  The Catholics have built a church over what they believe to be the original home of Mary, mother of Jesus.  The church is totally devoted to Mary with no mention of Jesus at all.

Israel has developed almost beyond recognition in the last 30 years.  The population has doubled and there is high rise bildings everywhere.


Mount of Beatitudes, Sea of Galilee

2000 year old boat found in mud
 on Sea of Galilee

Tomorrow we head into Jerusalem for 4 nights.We start with a tour to the Church of Holy Sepulchre.