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Israel: Rated Tops for 2018! Key Tips?


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From Harper's Bazaar magazine earlier this week, they have this headline: The 18 Places to Travel in 2018with some key highlights about Israel. In late November, 2018, we are looking to do an Athens to Dubai, 20-day cruise with Oceania, including our first visits to the Holy Lands, Egypt, Middle East, etc.

 

Here are some story details outlined: While the region’s complicated politics may worry some travelers, it shouldn't. It would be a mistake to write-off the vibrant culture, magnificent landmarks, world-class beaches, and the dynamic culinary scene of Israel. Marked by sun-splashed mountains, historical relics, sienna hills, and shimmering sapphire seas, Israel is a study in contrasts. From the landscape to its people to its food, each facet of this petite country is more unique and fascinating than the next. No trip to Israel would be complete without a visit to the historic sites of Jerusalem, especially the Wailing Wall and the skyline-defining Dome of the Rock. Don’t limit yourself to religious pilgrimages to enjoy all that Israel has to offer. Head into the mountains of the Golan for stunning hikes or driving, or turn to the opposite altitude for a float in the Dead Sea (or just a trip to one of the renowned spas utilizing its healing and beautifying salts).

 

This is the time of the year when many publications are highlighting the best places to visit for the upcoming year. Nice to see this well-deserved recognition!! It helps build our excitement for exploring these areas. Loved to read and hear any key tips, suggestions, secrets, etc., from those who have visited Israel previously. Don't be shy!!

 

Full story at:

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/travel-dining/a14427100/travel-destinations-2018/

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 36,297 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

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  • 5 months later...

From the London/UK Times late last month, they had this headline: Prince William to visit Jordan, Jerusalem and West Bank with these highlights: The Duke of Cambridge will visit Jerusalem next month when he becomes the first senior royal to make an official trip to Israel. It will begin in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on June 24 and finish in Jerusalem four days later.The duke’s visit, part of a significant diplomatic initiative, is at the request of the British government. Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said that it would be 'a historic visit, the first of its kind'. The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles have both visited Jerusalem but not on official visits.

 

Full story at:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prince-william-to-visit-jordan-jerusalem-and-west-bank-j26gbw59t

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Finished June 2017 sailing on the Silver Spirit from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

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Thanks for sharing Terry. We spent 4 weeks in Israel last year and loved it!

 

Appreciate this great follow-ups from your being in Israel for four weeks. WOW!! Lots of fun times there. We will only have two days there, but we will try to maximize the experience/time in this historic area.

 

From CNN this morning, they have this headline: Prince William staying in Jerusalem with these highlights: It's a room fit for a prince -- or a US president. The $5,500-a-night hotel suite in Jerusalem that the Duke of Cambridge will be calling home for the next three days is the same one thePresident stayed in during his visit in May. Atthe King David Hotel, it is a plush room -- replete with bomb-proof windows -- is on the top floor of the King David Hotel with views across the Old City.

 

Lots of details and visuals regarding the King David Hotel in Jerusalem are included. Here are more highlights: "Since it was opened in the 1930s, the hotel has hosted many famous guests, including previous US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In 1946, the hotel, which housed officials from the British mandate -- at that time the ruling power in pre-1948 Palestine -- was also bombed by Zionist militias, killing 91 people. On Wednesday, he will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. The following day, William will visit Jerusalem's Mount of Olives, as well as the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Gethsemane, where his great-grandmother, Princess Alice -- Prince Philip's mother -- is buried."

 

Full story at:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/26/europe/prince-william-king-david-hotel-jerusalem-intl/index.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.! Just completed a Jan. 21-Feb. 20, 2018, first adventure through Southeast Asia with stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before traveling all over Vietnam and Cambodia. This includes seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 25,834 views Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! See more at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

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From the Reuters news wire today, they have this headline: Prince William visits Jerusalem holy sites with these highlights: Britain’s Prince William toured Jerusalem’s most sacred and sensitive sites on Thursday. Billed as non-political, the four-day tour of Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories was an opportunity to show goodwill and voice hopes for peace in areas Britain ruled from 1917 to 1948, the year of Israel’s creation. Embarking on a visit of Muslim, Jewish and Christian holy places in Jerusalem, William shook hands with clerics and then entered Islam’s Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque.

 

Glad the Prince is doing an advance visit to historic sites for which we look forward to seeing November. Below are three visuals samples from Reuters. Excitement is building for our upcoming trip.

 

Full story at:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-royals-israel-palestinians/uks-prince-william-visits-jerusalem-holy-sites-great-grandmothers-tomb-idUSKBN1JO0M3

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 227,406 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

Here is Prince William touching today the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City. Second is the future UK King visiting a Russian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. Finally is a view from an observation point on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.:

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  • 3 months later...

Earlier this week at lunch with a good friend and experienced traveler, he was telling me about his visiting the Israel Museum and learning more on their Dead Sea Scrolls. Through a key connection, they were able to get a "behind-the-scene" personal tour with the chief curator in charge of these ancient artifacts. They learned so much about the twisted and unique history for obtaining these scrolls, what has been done recently to recovered added information on these damaged scrolls, etc. It was fascinating background and details!! It ties in with the below news article as to how pioneering research has been done to gain added information from certain of these damaged scrolls.

 

From the Jerusalem Post earlier this year, they had this headline:Fragment from 'Unknown' Dead Sea Scroll Revealed with Space Age Imaging" with this sub-headline: Twenty-eight types of light exposures were used to show different elements in the scrolls.

 

Here are some of the highlights from this story: "Since their discovery between 1946 and 1956, archeologists and historians have pored over the Dead Sea Scrolls in a bid to decipher their meaning and further understand the Jewish people. Hidden in 12 caves 2,000 years ago in Wadi Qumran near the Dead Sea – dating to the Second Temple period – some of the scrolls and scroll fragments have been difficult to read. But this all changed recently after advanced imaging technology originally developed for NASA was brought in to help unravel the mystery behind those unreadable fragments."

 

Really looking forward to our first visit to the Holy Lands and Middle East starting in late November. This background as to how these scrolls were discovered, have been preserved and enhanced, etc., add to the "learning experience" we will be enjoying later this year. All very unique and special!! Any other have background, details, experiences, etc., to share related to Jerusalem, these scrolls, etc.? Don't be shy. Tell us more!!

 

Full story at:

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Ancient-Hebrew-unearthed-using-space-age-technology-553260

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 213,139 views for this posting.

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Hi Terry, thanks for posting! Truly fascinating! Here is a website from the Israel Museum with a digital collection of some of the DSS and some background information: http://dss.collections.imj.org.il

I hope you are able to view the one-of-a-kind Shrine of the Book exhibit at the Israel Museum: https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book/dead-sea-scrolls

The Dorot Center: https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book/dorot-foundation-dead-sea-scrolls-information-and-study-center

and also the museum’s miniature display of first century Jerusalem: https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book/model-jerusalem-second-temple-period

Here’s a page for the site of Qumran, where scrolls were found: https://en.parks.org.il/ParksAndReserves/qumran/Pages/default.aspx

The Orion Center at Hebrew University has wonderful resources to learn more: http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il

Happy Sailing!

 

Thought these above great links and this helpful follow-up from syesmar would be of interest to share here. Below are some visuals in connection with this part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Keep up the great sharing!! Looking forward to visit this site in Jerusalem. Will share on our cruise's roll call.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 231,278 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

From Bing.com, here are some visuals that I found on the web for the special section of the Israel Museum that displays the Dead Sea Scrolls. This includes when the U.S. President visited this museum with that nation's Prime Minister. Interesting building design on the outside and inside.:

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  • 7 months later...

From National Geographic last month, they had this headline: “See Jerusalem like a Nat Geo Explorer”  with these highlights: “Every visitor to Jerusalem arrives with an expectation and leaves boggled by how vast and complicated this jewel in the rocky hills truly is. As the home of three major world religions, Jerusalem attracts people from far and wide. No two travelers to the city leave with the same experience, nor do they leave as the same people they were when they arrived.”

 

This profile has many good tips and insights for this part of the world.  Plus, there are links to other helpful background info items.  Here is another key story highlight: "People-watching is perhaps the best cultural experience in Jerusalem. The hustle and bustle of the Western Wall late on Friday afternoon is only second to Central Station during rush hour. Watch as people complete their shopping before the Sabbath, pray, and connect with friends."

 

Full story at:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/israel/jerusalem/explorers-guide/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

 

This great visual, done in dramatic National Geographic style, helps illustrated why Jerusalem is a tiny piece of land is so sacred to three major religions.:

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Here is a great angle and overview of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  Dedicated in 1149, this site dates to the crusader era, although portions are older. Pilgrims and tourists from around the world visit the historic basilica each year, which is still an active church.:

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Below starts some sharing and posting of the exciting visuals from visiting in Jerusalem late last year.  YES, it was wonderful and stimulating.  More on the live/blog connected below. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Here are some quick visuals samples, including for both the super famous Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall in the first picture below.  Both are THE most important religious sites for the Islamic and Jewish faiths.  And both are right next door to each other!!  Amazing!!  Yes, many other religious sites were seen and movingly experienced as shown below in a couple of samples.  Many more details and visuals to be shared later.  Fourth reflects just a tiny sampling of the various "market action" available in all four sections of old Jerusalem.  Ready for more?:

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Our first stop in Jerusalem was at the Mount of Olives, a site of special importance for Christianity and the Holy Week events centering around Jesus.  Our weather was super perfect this morning!!  From this area above the various burial sites, we could see in such an excellent manner the Old City and Temple Mount.  This is where the Holy Temple used to stand.  Lesson One about Jerusalem is how many different times by various powers have built and re-built these various walls and structures, including the Golden Gates for entering this main part of Jerusalem.  We were near the route where Jesus walked into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and we visited the Gardens of Gethsemane.  This site is most famous as the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before his crucifixion.  Also near here, we visited inside the Church of All Nations.  It is also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony.  It is a Roman Catholic church located next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. (Mark 14:32-42).
 
The Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem was built on the site of a Roman temple  which had in turn been built on the site of the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem.  The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 28,298 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

First is this overview from Garden of Olives and the view towards the Old City, Temple Mound, the Dome of the Rock, etc.  Amazed as to the number graves you can observed from this location. Plus, shown below are a few other closer views of these structures, including the Dome of the Rock and the now closed-up Golden Gates.:

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Here is one view inside of Basilica of the Agony and then two different visuals related to the next-door Gardens of Gethsemane.  Many very old olive trees are in this garden.  Fourth is a view of this Basilica from the roadway from across the valley near the old temple walls.  Sorry for the fence blocking part of the view.:

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To continue highlights from our first day in Jerusalem, below are a couple of visuals from the locations believed to be where the Last Supper happened with Jesus and the site of the burial of King David.  The challenge?  So much of Jerusalem has been destroyed, re-built, etc., etc., over and over again, during many past centuries that exact locations are questionable and older building mostly non-existence.  But, the phrase is used as "tradition says" such-and-such happened here two thousands years ago, etc.  Science and detailed records are now perfectly possible here in Jerusalem. 

 

Then, the start of many pictures from visiting nearby Bethlehem.  This site of the birth of Jesus is not far from Jerusalem.  BUT, going to this location involves crossing the border into Palestine's West Bank, plus switching guides and vehicles.  Somewhat involved and fascinating as we were experiencing a somewhat different part of the Middle East.  It is also a "flash point" seeking a long-term, peaceful solution.  Bethlehem now has a population about about 200,000 people.  Tourism is its biggest industry.  

 

Coming up next will be one of the amazing and moving experiences when we visited Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity or Basilica of the Nativity.  There is only one of these named locations in the world!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.!  Live/blog from early 2018, first adventure through SE Asia, stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before exploring all over Vietnam and Cambodia, seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 46,610 views.

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These two locations are supposedly on the site for where the Last Supper happened and where King David is buried as shown in the second picture.  For King David's site, there are two different segments.  One side for women. The other side only for men.  That is part of the Jewish traditions.:

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Here is another visual of the Old Wall and nearby structures in Jerusalem.  So much old and interesting architecturally here in and around the old sections of this historic city:

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Crossing into Bethlehem means entering the Palestine's zone of the West Bank.  Below is a large building graphic of their famed and previous leader. Yasser Arafat.  Second is an interestingly named coffee shop.  Definitely not Starbucks, but cute signage and unique naming??  Below are some additional visuals reflecting the walls and security screening done to separate Israel from its neighbor to the east.  Notice the current U.S. President being featured on the wall?  Many in Israel views these walls as having been very effective in reducing terrorism that existed in the 1990's, while those on the Palestine's side hate them.  Differing opinions?  But, fortunately, while we were there, all was peaceful and safe.

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This Basilica of the Nativity, located in the West Bank's Bethlehem, has a grotto that holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. This grotto is the oldest site continuously worshipped in Christianity and this Basilica is the oldest major church in the Holy Land.

 

Per Wikipedia, the church was originally commissioned in 327 by Constantine the Great and his mother Helena on the site that was traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus. That original basilica was completed sometime between 333-339. It was destroyed by fire during the Samaritan revolts of the 6th century, and a new basilica was built in 565 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian.  It has seen numerous repairs and additions, especially from the Crusader period.  Over the centuries, the surrounding compound has been expanded, and today it covers approximately 12,000 square meters, comprising three different monasteries: one Greek Orthodox, one Armenian Apostolic, and one Roman Catholic.  We were very fortunate to be able to go down into this grotto and touch the silver star marking the spot where Christ was born.  The private guide we gad for Bethlehem was super skilled and able to help us avoid the long lines and be able to experience our moving visit to this historic site. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 235,149 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

Here at Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity, here is a part of the main part of its largest room with some of those in line waiting to go down into the grotto under the main worship altar.  Second is a view of main altar that is controlled and decorated in the Greek Orthodox style. :

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The final three views are from inside that grotto that is very crowded as each person seeks to see, touch and/or kiss this silver star.  This includes being able to see the Altar of the Nativity, beneath which is the star marking the spot where tradition says Jesus was born.:

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Yes, there is so much more to share from Jerusalem and nearby.  One of our key and most important decision was to focus on Jerusalem and stay overnight nearby to these historic areas.   Many on the cruise ship went back and forth between day one and day two in Israel.  With our plan, we had the added hotel cost, BUT, we avoided wasting four-to-five hours of wasted time traveling back and fourth between the ship and the heart of Israel. Below are some visuals for the YMCA Three Arches hotel that dates back to the 1930's and is right across the street from the famed King David Hotel.  We would have liked to have stayed at the King David.  But, however, our wallet said no, NO!  It would have been about $800 for one night to stay there.  This hotel was about $153 for our room and it worked very well for our needs. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 220,418 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

From Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity, below are two more images.  First is another view inside the main church area.  This gives an ideas as to the large crowds waiting to go down under the Altar to see the small area with the famed silver star.  Second is our expert guide who toured us around in Bethlehem.  He was a fun, interesting character with the skills to make these logistics work smoothly and efficient.  Local "rules" prohibit having your Israel guide being the one to take you around in the West Bank areas.  Yes, we did stop at a gift shop in Bethlehem after completing the Basilica visit.:

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Next are some visuals from the Israel Museum, one of the ten largest in the world.  First is the exterior for the part of their complex where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed and research has been conducted on this unique artifact related to the Bible, etc..  The final two pictures are of a unique scale model of Jerusalem that allowed our guide to explain the various periods and key developments related to this ancient and historic city.:

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Finally, here is a visual from inside of the uniquely designed "dome" where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed.:

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First is the view from our Three Arches Hotel room in the morning.  Second is part of its interior lobby with the old-world styling.  Third is the front of the hotel with the Christmas tree already decorated and ready for the upcoming holiday season.  Fourth is the view of King David Hotel from our location where we stayed overnight.:

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As we entered Jerusalem, we went through the Zion Gate and examined its security set-up from the "old days" of this walled city. Notice the bullet holes in this part of the wall?  Second is a view of these covered and somewhat underground shopping areas that are a key part of the old city in Jerusalem.:

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Below starts some of the coverage, especially at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  This is clearly Christianity's holiest place.  It covers the traditional sites of the crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection of Jesus. Built about A.D. 330 as pushed by the mother of the Roman Emperor who made Christianity the official religion on this vast Roman empire.  Within this complex, duties and powers are divided among the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic, Syrian, and Ethiopian churches.   That makes for unique "politics" and variations as to the design, decorations and religious styles present inside this location in Jerusalem. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 245,938 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

First is the view of  the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as we approached its way of entrance.  The key to this door is controlled, interestingly, by a Moslem family. Lines at this location can be long to extremely long.  We were fortunate that our waiting time to enter the most holy part of this site was not too lengthy.  It was worth the wait as were able to go inside the inner chamber of this church.  Second is more of an overall view inside this moving and impressive setting.  Third shows at the top of the outside worship segment at this inner chamber from which Christ was risen. This part of the site was designed in the style of the the Greek Orthodox church.:

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Now we getting ready to enter this inner sanctum (The Aedicule) of the highest value connected to the life, death and resurrected of Jesus Christ. The third and fourth visuals show my wife inside this very small and intimate chamber.  In the center of this church rotunda is the chapel called the Aedicule, which contains the Holy Sepulchre itself.:

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Nearby to The Aedicule, here was a priest lighting candles for others from religious orders visiting this location.:

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Also within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are a number of key religious sites connected with the end of life on earth for Christ.  You can see more details below and the visuals representing what we saw and experienced.  It was a very, very moving time period when we were inside at this Jerusalem religious location.  

 

When Constantine converted to Christianity, he signed the Edict of Milan legalizing the religion, and made new plans for the Temple Mount.  The second room of the Aedicula, purportedly containing the tomb of Jesus,  This first Christian emperor ordered in about 326 that Hadrian's temple be replaced by a church.    After the old temple was torn down and its ruins removed, the soil was removed from the cave, revealing a rock-cut tomb that had been identified as the burial site of Jesus.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 82,413 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

Within this religious site is the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus' body is said to have been anointed before burial.  Fortunately, I was able to capture this image when the numbers of people here was not too large or overwhelming.:

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These visuals show within this site the area where Christ was being prepared to be placed and nailed to the cross.  Then, the next pictures show what is called the Altar of the Crucifixion.  This is the most lavishly decorated part of the church. The raised Chapel of the Calvary, or Golgotha Chapel, contains the apex of the Rock of Calvary (12th Station of the Cross). It is split into two halves, one Greek Orthodox and one Catholic, each one with its own altar.:

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Within the four different "quarters" of Jerusalem's Old Town, there are many different shopping, food, etc., offerings and options.  Some are just touristy.  We ignored those places.  But, other shops are good and interesting, including for seeing the various people here, what they are selling, etc.  This include experiences such as shown in pictures three and four.  We had some fresh squeezed pomegranate juice.  Very tasty and refreshing!!  Also, one of the sellers of scarves let me take his picture, but then wanted to be paid two dollars.  I gave him one dollar and he was happy!!:

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Here are more sights as we traveled along the narrow streets of Old Jerusalem.:

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Now we come to sharing some of the sights and experiences from traveling along the famed Via Dolorosa.  This name means in Latin as the "Way of Grief," "Way of Sorrow," "Way of Suffering" or simply the "Painful Way".  Within the Old City of Jerusalem, this street or path is believed to be the route that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The winding passage goes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that we had visited earlier this morning.  It involves a distance of about 2,000 feet.  This route is marked by nine "Stations of the Cross".  Five of the stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 63,772 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

 

Here is a small sampling of what we saw and experienced in traveling along Jerusalem's Via Dolorosa.  This second image is the most moving and meaningful as it involved a group from Central America doing this symbolic carrying of the cross along this painful route.  Finally is a stone marking the Sixth Station, where Veronica wiped the face of Jesus.:

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Next is part of what was the Pool of Bethesda in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem. The fifth chapter of the Gospel of John describes such a pool in Jerusalem, near the Sheeps' Gate.  The location is associated with healing. In the Byzantine period, it was converted to a church and is connected as a site where Mother Mary was born.:

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This religious structure represents the First Station where it is believed Jesus was condemned to death.  Second is the interior of this religious site.

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Here are two other religious sites connected with the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem.:

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Here is our group of four with our guide, Ofir Horn.  He operates Holy Land Private Tours (Web Site: www.holylandprivatetours.com).  We were visiting this antiquities shop in Jerusalem.  We learned that Israel has no prohibitions for exporting antiquities from their country.  WHY??  They have so many there and there literally is no place to store display or house ALL that has been discovered there over the years.  We could have picked up some interesting old coins and other high-quality items in this shop.  BUT, to be honest, we have enough "stuff" at home and there are limits as to what we can spend and bring back.  I like just taking visual images.  Much cheaper??!!:

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In completing our second day in Jerusalem, here is a little sample from our lunch at a traditional Islam-related dining place with a very good offering of local foods.

 

From our two days in Jerusalem, we finished with the Western or Wailing Wall.  It is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City. It is a relatively small segment of a far longer ancient retaining wall, known in its entirety as the "Western Wall".  The wall was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple begun by Herod the Great.  This resulted in converting and expanding the natural, steep hill known as the Temple Mount.  This construction created a large rectangular structure topped by a massive, flat building platform. For Muslims, it is also the site where the Islamic Prophet Muhammad tied his steed, al-Buraq, on his night journey to Jerusalem before ascending from this rock up to paradise.  The Western Wall is considered holy among the Jewish with its connection to the Temple Mount. Because of the Temple Mount entry restrictions, this Western Wall is the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 45,540 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

First is the sign/name for where we had lunch.  Very "local", quick and good!!  Second, I am sorry that the picture of Milt did not come out better.  My fault!!  As always, you need to go with and pick the picture where the lady (in this case, Amy) looks the best.  The key point here was to show the range of items that we tasted and enjoyed.:

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Next are a couple more examples for the various sights and sampling for what we experienced as our guide was giving us more background on the local items in these many shopping areas of the Old City.  Second is an example of the many different dining locations/options in this area.:

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Here are several of my visuals related to Jerusalem's famed Western Wall.  Men and women must be separated and they visited different sides of this wall.  Women are on the right in this first picture.  Their side is much smaller and was  muchmore crowded.  Not exactly fair??!!  During the afternoon of our visit, our side was not that crowded or rushed.  Plus, the weather was perfect!!  Much to be thankful with our concluding stop in the Old City.:

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This visual gives a good idea as to how close are these two most important sites for those of the Jewish and Islamic faiths.  Right next door!!  At the top is the Dome of the Rock, then below shows another angle for an overview of the Western Wall.  Second shows more of a close-up for the Dome's detailing.:

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Below are the final images and views from our visit to Jerusalem and returning to our ship in plenty of time prior to its 8 pm sail-away.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Many visuals, details from two visits in a city with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 30,625 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

As we departed the Old City, here was one of the views over to the Mount of Olives and its many burial sites.  Second is a view of the nearby White Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalene on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.  It was dedicated in 1888 by the Russian Czar.:

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Just outside of the old walls, we stopped at the Garden Tomb.  Some believe that this was the final location for Jesus' body before his resurrection.  More modern and scientific evidence places that location more likely at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.:

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