Day 15: Haifa, Israel with Holland America
Day 15: Haifa, Israel with Holland America
Holland America Africa Explorer Cruise – 49 Days from Rotterdam to Cape Town
Date: Saturday October 11, 2014
Weather Forecast: Sunny; 28 C/83 F
In Port: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
All Aboard: 7:30 PM
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Holland America Line Shore Excursion: Nazareth Highlights & the Sea of Galilee
Location Information:
The Port of Haifa is the second largest in Israel and the gateway to visit Tel Aviv, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. Visitors to Haifa should include visits to Baha’i Gardens, Stella Maris, Cave of Elijah, and the Hecht Museum. The Israeli shekel is the currency used. Saturday is the Sabbath in Israel and many shops and most businesses are closed.
WJs Day:
Today we took another Holland America Line shore excursion. This was a 9.75 hour excursion from Haifa – “Nazareth Highlights & the Sea of Galilee” (US$139.95). Tour Description: Visit the Church of Annunciation built on the site where Mary is said to have lived. See St Joseph’s Church, where Joseph’s carpentry workshop is believed to have stood. Continue to the Sea of Galilee for lunch then drive to Tabgha to visit the church of Peter’s Primacy and Capernaum, St Peter’s village. Stop at Mount of Beatitudes and Yardenit baptismal site.
Our excursion to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee departed ms Rotterdam at 8:00 AM with an excellent local guide, Zivit. The drive from the Port of Haifa to Nazareth was only 45 minutes; taking us past Mt Carmel (vineyard of God) and into the Galilee area.
The first stop of the excursion was to the Catholic Church of Annunciation, also known as Mary’s Church. Unfortunately, audio headsets were not included with today’s excursion so it was necessary to stick very close to Zivit or not be able to hear what she was saying when we were on the walking portion.
In Nazareth we also visited the Church of St Joseph – just a couple of minutes walk from Mary’s Church.
Before returning to the bus we had a short toilet break at a cafe and souvenir shop… onwards to the Sea of Galilee!
The drive through Cana of Galilee, following the path Jesus probably took from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee, took us past olive trees and through Arab villages and towns. The surrounding hills were bare of trees and the terrain was very rocky. Zivit explained that the Sea of Galilee is a fresh water lake – the only one in Israel – and also a reservoir.
Driving along we could see the Golan Heights – the mountain range that borders with Syria. Our next stop was to the Mount of Beatitudes – the place where Jesus gave sermons on the mountain and with a small church.
Lunch was at another Kibbutz Hotel – Nof Ginosar Hotel – for another excellent buffet lunch with a vast array of Sabbath Kosher food (nothing can be cooked on the the Sabbath). There was a beautiful selection of fresh vegetables and salads, along with slow cooked meat, chicken, fish, potatoes, and rice. Bottled water and Israeli red wine was included with lunch.
Following lunch we continued our tour to Tabgha, and saw the church of Peter’s Primacy and Capernaum (House of Jesus).
The bus ride along the foothills of the Golan Heights took us over the Jordan River – the main water source for the Sea of Galilee. Our final tour stop was at the Yardent Baptismal site where we spent an hour watching pilgrims being baptized in the Jordan River, and perusing the expansive souvenir shop before the 75-minute drive back to Haifa.
The Nazareth Highlights & the Sea of Galilee tour was another excellent Holland America Line shore excursion!
Tonight’s entertainment in the Showroom at Sea was Neil Lockwood – the former lead singer with Electric Light Orchestra Part 2 and the Alan Parsons Project – performing a tribute to Elton John.
Next – Port Said, Egypt
