OAT: Israel: The Holy Land & Timeless Cultures
January 21 - February 11, 2023
Our 2023 touring began with back-to-back OAT trips to Israel, Palestine (Israel post-trip), and Tunisia (see the Trips page for the Tunisia trip). We were unable to obtain visas for the Tunisia pre-trip tour to Algeria, so we spent a week in Athens between the main tours.
Sat. and Sun., 2/21-22/23 - Tucson to San Francisco to Tel Aviv to Haifa, Israel
After a couple of flights, Tucson to San Francisco (2 1/2 hours) and SFO to Tel Aviv (14 hours), and a drive of about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Schumacher Hotel in Haifa, Israel at 10 PM Sunday (Israeli time). Then, after checking in, we went off to bed for much needed sleep in our very small hotel room.
OAT: Israel: The Holy Land and Timeless Cultures with a post-trip in Palestine
This was the basic trip. OAT always throws in some itinerary changes.
Flag of Israel
Mon., 1/23/23 - Haifa on our own
We slept in until 8:30 AM!
Breakfast became brunch at the Shtroudl Restaurant on Ben-Gurion Ave. The hotel gave us a voucher for two breakfasts there, since the hotel was not providing breakfast. After walking further than necessary, we found the place and ate a huge breakfast - egg concoctions, tomato/cucumber salad, and huge, warm pita bread. Very yummy!
After collecting a map from the receptionist and having a chat with our tour leader, we set off on a walk that took us down to see the port, back to the Wadi Nisnas market area, and up to the UNESCO Square which is “dedicated to tolerance and peace.” The Square is at the bottom of Baha’i Gardens with its 600 steps up to the Shrine of Bab.
We were surprised at how dirty and full of litter this major city is. No one picks up trash. It is all over the streets and sidewalks.
Dagon Grain Elevator on the waterfront - a huge structure!
Interesting tree and vine
St. Elias Cathedral of the Melkite Catholic Church
Nice signs
Hebrew and Arabic - get out your Google Translator App!
(It is a sign about parking.)
Signs in three language - Wadi Nisnas is a shopping area
Plaque at the UNESCO Square that is "dedicated to tolerance and peace"
Manhole cover
Tues., 1/24/23 - Haifa & Caesarea
Breakfast at the hotel was a skimpy affair - the flat slabs of scrambled eggs were cold; the bread was plain; there was a salad of tomato, cucumber and feta cheese; slices of lunch meat (and salmon); a yogurt parfait; coffee; and OJ.
We sat outside in the chilly 55° shade for one hour, for Ilan, our OAT Tour Experience Leader (TEL), to give us his introduction and OAT briefing. After the briefing, the group boarded a nice 35-passenger bus and headed to Caesarea Harbor National Park.
Caesarea was built by Herod to please Caesar Augustus and to have the Romans back the Israelites. Herod was a brilliant builder. He created a deep harbor in Caesarea, along the Mediterranean Sea, by building wooden boxes to float into place and filling the boxes with sand and rocks to sink them, creating a reef. The site contains interesting ruins and a museum displaying many artifacts found at the site.Herod is regarded as the greatest builder of ancient times in the Land of Israel. We encountered the ruins of many of his structures during the course of this tour. Peruse the following article concerning Herod's building efforts.
Entrance to the Caesarea Harbor site
Outer walls and moat
Remnants of the wall and moat built by
Louis IX of France in 1251 (during the Seventh Crusade)
Eastern gate house entrance
Vaulted ceiling entrance - Eastern gate house
Mosaic
Cuirassed ruler -statue of man wearing
full military parade armor
Jars for transport of olive oil, etc.
Display of assorted containers
Menorah
Bosnian Mosque at Qisarya
Ruins
Ruins
Hippodrome
Hippodrome
Sculpture at one end of the Hippodrome
Mosaic
Herod built his palace on an artificial reef that extended further into the sea. We saw Herod’s garden and well. Water came from an 11-mile long aqueduct originating in the Carmel Mountains. There are some foundations of his palace and pieces of mosaic floors. We learned that Pontius Pilate later lived in Herod’s palace and also that Herod killed one of his wives and preserved her in honey, thus the spousal term, “honey.” Maybe!
Reef Palace
Columns from Herod's Palace
Sarcophagus
Roman and Byzantine statues
Capital
Capital
Theater
Access to the theater
After the tour in Caesarea, the group got back on the bus to return to Haifa where we visited the Wadi Nisnas Market area. This is an area of narrow twisting streets with many fruit and food markets.
Covered banana trees - to keep out birds and reduce sun heat
St. John Evangelical Episcopal Church
After wandering around for a short while, the group gathered at a small shop to eat falafal for lunch. We were able to watch the pita bread pockets being filled with deep fried balls of chickpeas, herbs, garlic, spices, and tahini sauce. Ours today had cabbage, tomato, and cucumber as well. They were tasty and filling.
After lunch there was free time to wander about in the colorful markets before walking back to the hotel for a rest and to prepare for the Welcome Dinner later in the evening.
Falafel shop
Someone thinks this establishment is good - we can't comment as this is the first falafel we have had
Finishing the falafel by frying it in boiling oil
Market photos - remember, my camera loves markets of all kinds
Zucchini
Wall decoration
Street scene in Wadi Nisnas
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