Thursday, October 26

On our second day of sightseeing in northern Israel, we visited several sites associated with the Carmel Ridge. We began the morning by traveling up to the top of Mount Carmel itself, where we visited the Carmelite monastery. From the roof of the monastery we could see from the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest to the foothills of the Lower Galilee rising up toward Nazareth across the Jezreel Valley to the northeast. Rev. Tim read the story of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, and Eric re-enacted the pose of the famous prophet from a statue there at the monastery.

From there we journeyed down the coastline to the city of Caesaria Maritima. We first stopped at the Roman aquaduct that was constructed to bring the water down from springs in the Carmel ridge some seven miles to Herod the Great's city. We then came to the Crusader fortress, where we could see how they had used the materials from the ruins of the Roman city in any way necessary in order to build up their fortifications. We could also see what remains of the world's first artificial harbor, constructed by Herod more than 2,000 years ago. Finally, we visited the area near the amphitheater, and saw the location of what had been the governor's palace. There was a replica of the dedicatory stone found there bearing the names of Caesar Tiberius and Pontius Pilate (the original is in the Israeli Museum).

Returning back to the northeast, we traveled through the Megiddo pass. At the site of ancient Megiddo, we stopped to have lunch and to tour the ruins. The views of the Jezreel Valley were spectacular. We climbed down more than 180 steps to walk through the tunnel which led from beneath the walls atop the tel to the Megiddo spring. This tunnel was used to supply the fortress with water during times of seige.

We capped of the day with a brief stop at the foot of Mount Tabor (the "Mount of Transfiguration"). From there we could also see the village of Nein (where Jesus had resuscitated the son of a widow) and also the city of Nazareth. Most enjoyed (at least by some, anyway) was the delicious Moevenpick ice creams and sorbets we had for an afternoon snack. Tomorrow we journey down the Jordan rift valley, and will be arriving in Jerusalem. The Olive Tree Inn there will be our base for the remainder of our visit to the Holy Land.

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