Our last full day in Israel. Tomorrow we cross over into the country of Jordan for our last 4 days.
This was undoubtedly our most scenic day in Israel. We climbed high up onto the Golan Heights, actually into Israeli-occupied Syria. Israel took it in the 1967 war in retaliation for the war against them by their neighbors. It also happens to be a stunningly beautiful area and a rich agricultural region.
As the haze cleared late morning we were treated to views of 9,000' Mount Hermon.
We stopped for sweets at a Druze Village, Mas'ade. The Druze were/are Syrians, now on the Israeli side of the line. They have their own complicated and secret religion, but they sure have great baked goods!
We continued to Ceasarea Philippi, where we saw the Mount Hermon Springs, source of the Jordan River. We ate lunch in a Lebanese Restaurant literally astride the small river.
On the way home we stopped again on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus came back to Peter after the crucifixion and resurrection.
A steep, windy road takes us up onto the Golan Heights.
Mitch can really get up into the air!!
Overlooking the Sea of Galilee from the Golan Heights
Maie and Kenje pose with Sea of Galilee in the background
Lest there was any doubt what kind of area we were in.......!
A bombed out Syrian Mosque, remnant of the 1967 War
I'm in Syria!
(actually, Israeli-occupied Syria, but I'm counting it!)
Syria in the background. Damascus is only 25 miles away!
The UN encampment in No Man's Land, to keep Israel and Syria apart
Snow-capped Mount Hermon in the distance
The Druze flag in the Druze village of Mas'ade
A Druze Elder
Ehab serves up the most wonderful sweets in his bakery!
Lovely terraced hillsides above Ceasarea Philippi
Mount Hermon Springs, source of the Jordan River
Grotto of the god Pan (root word of panic)
Literally eating lunch on top of the Jordan River
Banyas Falls
How many photos can we get of Mark and Kate?
The de facto border with Lebanon. The 3 countries of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria all meet on the sides of 9,000' Mount Hermon.
Glenn tells the story of Peter after the crucifixion and resurrection where Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love me?"
Mitch helps with Mom's chair. Many in the group have been extremely helpful.
Kim and Cheryl relishing a swim in the Sea of Galilee
Evening on the Sea of Galilee at our Seaside Resort, Ma'agan
Kim and Jim show the plate presented to them by Glenn for the church
Glenn also presents a number of reference books for the church library (Maie is excited!)
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