A sad farewell but a happy homecoming

Goodbye Shell, Matt,Mia & Zac. We'll see you next year.

The greeting from Millie was ..."can I have a kitten grandma?"

Good to be back home.

Reluctant to leave,

Matt, trying to decipher the route for another trip somewhere in Israel. He looked after us so well & made sure that we were able to visit safely every place we wanted to explore. A big thanks Matt.

A last day at the beach where we enjoyed many happy times lazing in the tepid waters of the Mediterranean.

Shell & Matt lived in one of the apartments in the background for the last few weeks of their contract in Israel.

A last message home, from the balcony of their apartment overlooking the 'Med,' near Caesarea.

Still some places to visit....

A short break on the way to Jerusalem on a back road ...through some picturesque pine forests...not 'radiata!!!' & hey it was in this area somewhere nearby where that young man 'Dave,' slew the 'big man.' Yes the same Dave that hid down in those Dead Sea area caves and became King of Israel, just a few millenia back.

A few orthodox jews heading to their big night of the week...at the Wall & the beginning of Shabat . Their dress attire is certainly bizarre to say the least especially in the heat. Note too, since this day happened to coincide with the start of the Moslem ramadan, there was an increase in security....those army boys in the background are ready for anything.

Had a great chat with this young jewish couple. Always interesting & friendly to talk with & share their views on life etc. At this particular time we were also enjoying a milk shake & a very nice piza. The wife comes from Uzbekistan & husband from the States.

Another birthday in another place!

Sue has celebrated her birthday in many places in the world. This was a first for the Sea of Galilee, made special by being with Shell,Matt,Mia & Zac. Also great having Deidre & Wally, friends from Nelson along.

Tiberias an ancient city on the shores of the Galilee with not much left of the old city walls.

Pete & Wally having a chat with a paratrooper from an 'elite,' corps at the central bus station Tiberias. Enjoys his 'job,' but seemed so young for the dangerous and serious responsibility. He thought NZ would be a wonderful place to visit, so we gave him our contact numbers should he make it.

Capurnaum and environs. The area Jesus spent a considerable perod of his ministry.

Capurnaum is on the shores of the Galilee

Inside the Roman Catholic church on the shores of the Galilee at Capurnaum, that covers the house of Peter the fisherman. This pic shows the fenced area that looks down on the excavations of Peters house. A very humble fishermans abode. The church was built over the house as protection!

A pic taken from beneath the church foundations, of the actual stone walls of Peters house. This has supposedly been confirmed as Peters actual house.

The synagogue at Capurnaum, this synagogue has actually been reconstructed on the floor of the original synagogue where Jesus preached frequently & where he cast a 'demon,' out of a man. This is also nearby the hills where the 'Sermon on the Mount' was given & where Jesus fed the 5000 hungry people.

Not so hungry, but three very hot ladies taking some time out under the trees in the Capernaum area, which has another extensive area of excavations.

Ein Gedi final pics

A couple of pics of some local fauna. These Ibex were almost extinct in this area but through a protection program have rapidly increased in number. They are very much 'at home,' & are amazing to watch running & jumping further up the rocky mountains. Some of the bucks had wicked horns!

A bit of quick relaxation before the next battle!

Not sure why this was located in the botanical garden, but no doubt it was part of the history.

Ein Gedi Kibbutz & Botanical gardens

Ein Gedi gardens. A beautiful botanical garden in the midst of the desert, a true oasis. with plants & trees from all over the world. Complete with a huge swimming pool which we spent many hours in.

Not sure exactly what shape Sue is trying to describe here!

Nor here...perhaps it has something to do with her own shape!!!

The gardens are so restful in such an extremely hot area & we were fascinated with the varying specimens. The green contrasting so vividly with the surrounding stark hills. The kibbutz is on the foothills overlooking the 'Dead sea.'