Day 31: HAIFA

The overnight leg from Ashdod to Haifa was only 12 hours, and gave us out first taste of mild ship movement.  I was booked on a day tour to Galilee leaving at 8 am, so early breakfast and security clearance to reach the bus on time.  We drove across the Galilee foothills directly to the Sea of Galilee, about an hour's trip with traffic.  First stop was the Church of the Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount.  An aside:  we gathered outside the church, overlooking the Lake, and the guide asked me to read Matthew 5:1-12 to the group.  It was quite an experience to proclaim the

Beatitudes 2000 years later on the very spot where Jesus first procliamed them.  (Allow me a little poetic licence!)  Then a short hop to visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes.  Very crowded at both, with more than 20 tourist buses juggling limited parking spaces.  From there
we continued clockwise around the Lake to visit the ancient village of Capernaum with its 5th century Synagogue probably built on the site of one that existed in Jesus' time -- and the house of Peter nearby, where Jesus reputedly boarded during his ministry.  Wee then drove around the northern side of the Lake below the Golan Heights until we reached the point where the River Jordan exits the Lake. There they have built a multi-faith baptismal centre where pilgrims come with their pastors to be baptised in the Jordan.  They claim Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist there -- but most agree that really that happened much further south near Jericho.

By now it was food time, so we headed to a kibbutz that features a hotel/resort on the lakeshore for a very satisfying buffet lunch.  Then on to Nazareth.  My memories of this place were very negative:  I found it dirty and crowded and unattractive when I was last here.  Today I changed my mind.  It wasn't very crowded and our guide took lots of time to explain the history and architecture of the place.  The lower level preserves earlier churches built there in the Byzantine and Crusader periods.  The upper level is the modern church, quite simple with startling mosaics of Marian themes around the wall, donated by various countries.  One from Australia there.  We visited the Church of St Joseph next door which at least is in the neighborhood where the Holy Family probably lived.  Our guide today was a Jew, but very well versed in matters Christian and in the history and archaeology of the places.  After the compulsory visit to a souvenir shop, it was a slow trip back to the ship, arriving half an hour before sailing time. 

Azamara does things very well.  Forr example, on arrival back this evening, we had to queue to board the shipo and go through passport and security.  Waiters met us on the dock with cool drinks;  a jazz group was playing music; and the ship's Captain and other officers where on the dock to welcome us back and chat while we waited to get back on board.  The Captain has his wife and two small boys with him on this trip; so we see him often wheeling the pram and around the place, and feeding the kids at the buffet.  My lunch companion today at the kibbutz was the ship's Executive Chef who had come along to be our liaison with the tour guide.  He's Italian, and gave me interesting insights into crewing of the ship.

We left Haifa at 7pm on time.  Had a good view of the Bahai Temple and its gardens that extend from top to bottom of Mt Carmel all lit like fairyland as we sailed out of port.  Haifa is Israel's largest port and the navy is based there too.  The city spreads up the slopes of Mt Carmel to left and right.  Thus ended my visit to the Holy Land.  And I managed it without having to change  any money or spend a single shekel.  Dinner tonight was Indian themed.  I started with something I hadn't heard of since I was a kid:  Mulligatawny soup.  Tomorrow we visit Paphos.  I plan on a light day there.

Today's photos can be seen here.