We had an early start this morning to beat the other tourists/pilgrims to the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus at Mt. Tabor. The place is not accessible by big busses because of the very narrow and winding road. We either have to transfer to small vans which shuttle people to the top or walk. We did not like the idea of walking so we sacrificed an hour of sleep to get there early. Unfortunately there were already a lot of people with the same idea so we had to wait our turn for the ride up to Mt. Tabor. Bummer!
At the waiting station, I saw this guy squeezing fresh pomegranate juice. I didn't get a chance to try it because our van was already loading up and I did not want to be left behind.
At the top, prior to visiting the church, our "messianic" guide thumbed through his bible to read to us passages relevant to the site. Frankly, I was already getting an overload of it.
From this church at Mt. Tabor we motored to the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached to His flock.
We had mass at the site of the Sermon on the Mount.
We went to this center before sailing the Sea of Galilee.
The pic on the left displays what is supposed to be a recovered part of the boat Jesus used and the one on the right is a model of the ancient boat.
We were on our way for a boat ride at the Sea of Galilee.
Some members of our group wanted to get a touch of the water of Galilee.
Tabigha, the site of the Miracles of the Loaves and Fishes. I don't really know much about this.
Capernaum, the town of Jesus
An old grinding stone at Capernaum
For those who wanted to have their baptism renewed, Father Wayne obliged them.
It is hard to see from the picture but there are large catfish swimming there! Click on the pic for a better view.
Finally to our hotel at the end of the day.
At the waiting station, I saw this guy squeezing fresh pomegranate juice. I didn't get a chance to try it because our van was already loading up and I did not want to be left behind.
At the top, prior to visiting the church, our "messianic" guide thumbed through his bible to read to us passages relevant to the site. Frankly, I was already getting an overload of it.
From this church at Mt. Tabor we motored to the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached to His flock.
We had mass at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. 
We went to this center before sailing the Sea of Galilee.
The pic on the left displays what is supposed to be a recovered part of the boat Jesus used and the one on the right is a model of the ancient boat.
We were on our way for a boat ride at the Sea of Galilee.
Some members of our group wanted to get a touch of the water of Galilee.
Tabigha, the site of the Miracles of the Loaves and Fishes. I don't really know much about this. 
Capernaum, the town of Jesus
An old grinding stone at Capernaum
For those who wanted to have their baptism renewed, Father Wayne obliged them.
It is hard to see from the picture but there are large catfish swimming there! Click on the pic for a better view.
Finally to our hotel at the end of the day.
11 comments:
Sir Bert!!! wow! you went to israel!! my lola went there too but that was like 2 decades ago na ata. basta, i was super young pa that time. :) she's a devout catholic kasi so she went with people from her church group.
anyway, i also want to go there..and to egypt too! i'm looking forward to seeing your photos of egypt.
i like those ancient nations. they have so much history to tell kasi. i also want to go to turkey someday. :)
A place with a lot of history !
two things i want to imagine from this post :
1. experience of being baptized again in a river at the town where Jesus lived.
2. the taste of that pomegranate juice (cluless me =).
I'm not religious but as a history buff, I'd like to visit this place someday.
Nice set of photos. Parang na rin akong nag-travel kasama diyan... :D
Amazing color of the Jordan river. As a Catholic, I wouldn't mind getting baptized again.
Reena, Sir Bert!!! What did I do wrong? LOL. Tama na yung "bertN" kung hindi isusumbong kita sa Lola mo LOL.
Those ancient nations have so much histories behind them nakakasakit ng ulong pakinggan but it is worth it, especially katulad ko na, biblically and historically, challenged.
Sydney, indeed! I'm glad you are back in circulation.
docgelo, I passed the chance to have my baptismal renewed, tama na sa akin yung marriage vow renewal at one of the churches we visited.
"Too sweet" according to a buddy who tasted it.
dodong flores, I'm not religious myself but I was surprised I learned a lot from this trip, and more importantly, I enjoyed it.
The Nomadic Pinoy, the color surprised me,too; especially after traveling for several miles upstream and noting that the color got duller and duller, as we progressed.
Many tourists/pilgrims got their baptismal renewal there. It cost them $25 for the white sheet and another $1.50 to use the changing room. What a holy rip-off.
you're a lucky guy! will i get to see that city too? only God knows. lol
Modernized na rin talaga ang mga places, ibang-iba na sa mga ini-imagine ko. Medyo ancient pa kasi ang nasa isipan ko, 'yon bang parang nasa movies. Huh!
I understand why they put fences on the Jordan River, but I don't like the idea. Siguro sa dami ng mga taong namamasyal diyan, hirap na talagang i-preserve ang original setting (during the time of Jesus).
the DongG,I did enjoy my trip and I hope I can come back and spend more time there. Makakapunta ka rin siguro diyan, bakit hindi?
RJ, in a way it is disappointing that most of these biblical and historical places are, to some extent, modernized dahil siguro sa dami ng mga taong nagpupunta duon. Commercialized nang masyado!
"Frankly, I was already getting an overload of it." this really made me laugh! i know the feeling (lol).
i wish i'd have an opportunity to see these places, too. maybe if i'll save for 10 years, i'd be able to make the trip.:p
You're so blessed and lucky to have made this trip. My Tita went here and she told me beautiful things about the place. How I wish I can visit this place with my family. Ang ganda siguro nun. :)
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