May1 - Sea of Galilee – A Maritime Adventure

Another early start, but apparently not early enough. I arrived in the dining room, went through the buffet as I did last night, but the maitre’d wouldn’t allow me into the seating area where I knew the rest of my tour mates were. He said they were full. Fortunately I saw Elizabeth and she escorted me in with a she’s with us!  Apparently you need a name tag to get into the “in” tables.

We left the hotel at 8:00 and walked to the docks

just down from the hotel. We boarded a wooden vessel that looked like it had been around a while. Maybe not antique yet but they assured us it was sea worthy. After playing the national anthem for us, we set sail (okay, they started the motor) across the sea… the Sea of Galilee that is. The weather is unbelievable perfect today. We are heading North toward Carazene and the shore of Capernaum.  Along the way we pass the hill that is believed to be the Mount of Beatitudes (right), and a spot along the coastal region that some believe is where Jesus met his disciples after his resurrection. This area was popular with fishermen because warm brackish waters dump into the sea at this point, attracting fish. 

Elie points out the cliffs of Arvel. Jesus would have traveled from Nazareth through this passage way to Capernaum. Later in the day we travel along this road which takes the same path, but is thankfully now paved. 


Our trip along the coastline takes us past the “Cove of the Sower” (right) where Jesus is believed to have taught large crowds by the sea. Acoustic measurements were made in the 1970’s confirming that the spoken word could be heard significant distances due to the grade and curvature of the cove. It responded much like an   amphitheater.



Our hosts demonstrated throwing fishing nets into the sea and entertained us on the trip back with songs and traditional dance.  The boat drops us off in front of a museum that houses the famous “Galilee Boat” or “Jesus Boat.”  During one of the area’s worst droughts in 1986, two men discovered buried in mud along the shore, a remarkably intact boat from the Roman period (100BC-100AD). It was fascinating to learn about how it was removed from the mud, in just 11 days, to prevent looters from destroying it and the waters from covering it again. It was extremely fragile so they encapsulated it in fiberglass foam to strengthen and protect it. They then flood the cove and it floated. After removing the fiberglass, it was submerged in a solution that replaced the water in the wood cells with a polymer resin that strengthened and preserved it. Fascinating!

2000 year old Galilee Boat

From there the bus takes us up the ancient road to Capernaum. This was an important town in biblical times and was built on an important thoroughfare. Jesus performed many miracles at Capernaum. The city was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, but ultimately, brought down, never to be rebuilt, fulfilling prophesy of Matthew 11:23. What exists on the site now are the ruins of a synagogue (left), what some believe is Peter’s house, an octagonal shaped church (in that same spot), oil press, flour mills and many basalt vessels and structures.


 
In keeping with the fisherman theme of the day, we were served “Saint Peter’s Fish” for lunch in the area of Magdala. What an experience! The fish came complete with head, tail and French fries. You can’t imagine what entertainment we had (don’t tell Mom) playing with our food.  I have priceless pictures!  In biblical days, fishermen brought their catch to this harbor for “salting” or preserving the fish.


 

Elie and Ferrell made executive decisions and rearranged our afternoon. We headed back through the cliff of Arvel passing through beautiful valleys between the Mount Moreh, Mount Tabor (left), and Mount Gilboa which overlooks the Jezreel Valley.  Our next stop is the Gilead Heights, and spring of Harod where Gideon called his 300 to fight against the Midianites. Elie read Jud. 7:1-22 describing the scene for us in “full-color” putting it into context of the area we are in. The bougainvillea draped the walkway in every color you can imagine.

Harold drinks from the spring of Harod

Pool at foot of Gilead where Harod Spring originates.

View of Mount Moreh from hill on top of Harod Spring.

We were surprised with a stop at the Gan HaShelosha (garden of the hot springs). The region is “bubbling with warm springs. We took time to soak our tired feet in the warm flowing water at the foot of a waterfall. Delightful! Once again we are treated with landscaping beauties, including double oleander.

We return to the Sea of Galilee from the south and stop by recent excavations of the ancient city of Tiberias. Most believe the sight dates to the Byzantine period.

Whew… another fascinating day! What adventure planned and unplanned await us tomorrow?