Yes, I've read the accounts of Jesus travels throughout the land of his birth, but actually travelling these roads adds a different perspective to the journey. Along the way from See of Galilee, we managed to stop at the sea port of Haifa, and to take a moment to visit the picturesque city, including a photo op at the Ba'hai temple located here. Don't worry, pictures are coming.
While atop Mount Carmel (from where these gardens cascade), we also stopped at the Carmel to celebrate the Mass at the Church of Stella Maris and to deliver a gift to the Carmelite monks who still live there and administer the property.
Coming down the mountain, we then continued to Cesarea, where we laid eyes on the famous Roman aquaduct which was built in the time of King Herod the Great, to bring water to that city. Cesarea, you might remember was the city where Saint Paul was imprisoned, where Herod had one of his famous palaces constructed (the ruins of which are still standing today, complete with an amphitheatre and all the necessary components for a fortress worthy of the King). Considering that this fortress and others like it were built before the end of the first century AD, one must marvel at the engineering feat accomplished by Roman inginuity, even though it also came with unbearable consequences for all those who had to live subject to its exacting rule.
From Cesarea, we continued up to Jerusalem, where we bedded down for the night. Yes, I did say 'up' to Jerusalem. The area of the Sea of Galilee is actually a few hundred feet below sea level, and Jerusalem is 400 feet above. Do the math.
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