Thursday, May 21, 2015
Home
Well it's now Thursday the 21st of May and I'm sitting in my lounge chair in Alice Springs still in my pj's with the heater on. One of my friends has already visited and we chatted and looked at some of my photos and my purchases.
It seems surreal to be back and it's lovely that we were able to go overseas and have a good time and come back safely. I had a nice couple of days with my friend in Perth who I went to Israel with last time. We went to the art gallery in town and had breakfast upon my arrival Monday morning. I bought a coat in Myer and we are had a big catch up. We looked at my photos and it was good just chatting. Tuesday we went to Koorong and had lunch overlooking the sea.
Yesterday Phyl and I had a cuppa in a local Park before heading to the airport.
We had a good flight home and we have a lot of memories. We were picked up at the airport by a friend and all is well. Shalom
It seems surreal to be back and it's lovely that we were able to go overseas and have a good time and come back safely. I had a nice couple of days with my friend in Perth who I went to Israel with last time. We went to the art gallery in town and had breakfast upon my arrival Monday morning. I bought a coat in Myer and we are had a big catch up. We looked at my photos and it was good just chatting. Tuesday we went to Koorong and had lunch overlooking the sea.
Yesterday Phyl and I had a cuppa in a local Park before heading to the airport.
We had a good flight home and we have a lot of memories. We were picked up at the airport by a friend and all is well. Shalom
Sunday, May 17, 2015
It is Sunday and this afternoon we check out at 12 o'clock and we have to come back to the hotel at 6 o'clock to be picked up for the airport. Our flight is at 10.30 actually.
I've got a cold and after a slight work out in the pool talking to a lecturer from Cleveland who is hosting students on a study tour of China. I then decided to catch a bus into the harbour in Kowloon and it was interesting because I knew which bus to catch but didn't have to pay the driver because I mucked around so much with the currency he let me get on for free. I got off at the last stop and then I was bewildered by the shops it was like an airport transit area in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok with all that designer shops everywhere. There were promotions of this and that with lots of Chinese people with flyers to give you and they just ignored the old lady on a walking stick. There was a stand among the other displays which had a large JW prominent. One lady gave me a sweet smile. I guess that she knew that I knew what the JW stood for. I decided to go to the shops because I thought it would be more cosmopolitan I guess it was but not how I thought. I wanted a chemist shop (or a pharmacy or drugs), a banana and hopefully a toilet. Well I asked information for the pharmacy he didn't know what I meant so I went through the list and eventually he asked his colleague and she said Watsons. He had no idea what I wanted but must have thought I was an alcoholic. He told me me to go to the second floor and I found Watsons. I thought that I was lost in translation as it was a wine shop. I went back downstairs and couldn't see any signs to the toilet no fruit shops of course because it was all Sony and Toshiba and Samsung and Gucci and all the rest of it. I went outside and turned right, away from the harbour and the berthed princess liner and there was a Watsons that was like our Priceline or Chemist Warehouse. I went in and the pharmacist didn't really want to hear my explanation of going to the bottle shop and I explained my situation and decided to get a mask for the the plane. I don't think I'm contagious but I don't want to catch anything else because my mouth is open all the time. I've bought 10 apparently and lozenges for the cough. I wanted some Vicks or some eucalyptus but of course I knew I wasn't in Australia so I went back and they found the pharmacist again and I settled for Tiger Balm. I remembered years ago when I was in Singapore they said it was like Vicks.
I gave up looking for bananas and toilets! I walked past all the activity seeing the occasional white tourist. Passing a model dressed as a bride finding the perfect stop for a photo. Past the girls in lacy dresses and shopping bags.
There was a police presence in one area as I think a politician had just left. There were barricades and journalists. I was trying to catch the bus back at this stage. There were buses everywhere at the terminal I saw the 721 I wanted so I followed it and suddenly I was going down an under pass. I went back to the bus terminal. I saw a sign that said visitors centre and I walked and it didn't appear. I went past the Jehovah's witnesses again and found the tourist bureau the assistant had a tablet and she looked it up and yes the 721 did go to Metropark hotel and yes this is where you catch it. No you don't have to go down the underpass. Yes you have to go this way and this is what the building looks like when you catch the bus and it was all on her little tablet wow. I know I should have called a taxi as by this time I was exhausted. But it was the principle of things. I caught the bus and the driver couldn't understand what I wanted the lady behind me helped me and she said it's 12 dollars or 15 dollars and I had 10 and fumbled for change. She said to put the 10 in his shute and find a seat. She said that he knew I had short changed him. She told him where I wanted to go and that he would stop for me. It was a fair distance and he stopped and shouted out but I'm sitting there unaware because I can't see any signs of my hotel. She came charging up to me.... this is your stop... so I got out and sure enough it was just a few few streets away so that was enough for 1 day. However my cold got freshened up in the rain I think. I got really cold. But eventually warmed up. It's all good though.
You're not allowed to turn the aircon off and Wendy adapted it for me. I had layers on and my beanie all night. I had some chicken soup for dinner and slept quite well and today is another day.
Wendy and David caught a taxi to the ferry terminal and a ferry across to the waterworld. That has pandas and different water displays and activities. So they had a lovely time and they got back about an hour after I did.
I think they had made the right decision as they had had an experience the night before going into Kowloon with the hotel bus, but the bus wouldn't pick them up on the way home! So they decided that they would just go by taxi and not try to get the bus.
I wasn't offered the shuttle bus when I went up to the desk I was told to just catch the bus and I said what if I get lost you should get a taxi then. Wendy and David did the right thing but today is another day.
I'm hoping to go to SoGo today, my favourite shop in Singapore when I went there once and hopefully Kowloon park in the few hours while I'm waiting for the shuttle bus to the airport.
I've got a cold and after a slight work out in the pool talking to a lecturer from Cleveland who is hosting students on a study tour of China. I then decided to catch a bus into the harbour in Kowloon and it was interesting because I knew which bus to catch but didn't have to pay the driver because I mucked around so much with the currency he let me get on for free. I got off at the last stop and then I was bewildered by the shops it was like an airport transit area in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok with all that designer shops everywhere. There were promotions of this and that with lots of Chinese people with flyers to give you and they just ignored the old lady on a walking stick. There was a stand among the other displays which had a large JW prominent. One lady gave me a sweet smile. I guess that she knew that I knew what the JW stood for. I decided to go to the shops because I thought it would be more cosmopolitan I guess it was but not how I thought. I wanted a chemist shop (or a pharmacy or drugs), a banana and hopefully a toilet. Well I asked information for the pharmacy he didn't know what I meant so I went through the list and eventually he asked his colleague and she said Watsons. He had no idea what I wanted but must have thought I was an alcoholic. He told me me to go to the second floor and I found Watsons. I thought that I was lost in translation as it was a wine shop. I went back downstairs and couldn't see any signs to the toilet no fruit shops of course because it was all Sony and Toshiba and Samsung and Gucci and all the rest of it. I went outside and turned right, away from the harbour and the berthed princess liner and there was a Watsons that was like our Priceline or Chemist Warehouse. I went in and the pharmacist didn't really want to hear my explanation of going to the bottle shop and I explained my situation and decided to get a mask for the the plane. I don't think I'm contagious but I don't want to catch anything else because my mouth is open all the time. I've bought 10 apparently and lozenges for the cough. I wanted some Vicks or some eucalyptus but of course I knew I wasn't in Australia so I went back and they found the pharmacist again and I settled for Tiger Balm. I remembered years ago when I was in Singapore they said it was like Vicks.
I gave up looking for bananas and toilets! I walked past all the activity seeing the occasional white tourist. Passing a model dressed as a bride finding the perfect stop for a photo. Past the girls in lacy dresses and shopping bags.
There was a police presence in one area as I think a politician had just left. There were barricades and journalists. I was trying to catch the bus back at this stage. There were buses everywhere at the terminal I saw the 721 I wanted so I followed it and suddenly I was going down an under pass. I went back to the bus terminal. I saw a sign that said visitors centre and I walked and it didn't appear. I went past the Jehovah's witnesses again and found the tourist bureau the assistant had a tablet and she looked it up and yes the 721 did go to Metropark hotel and yes this is where you catch it. No you don't have to go down the underpass. Yes you have to go this way and this is what the building looks like when you catch the bus and it was all on her little tablet wow. I know I should have called a taxi as by this time I was exhausted. But it was the principle of things. I caught the bus and the driver couldn't understand what I wanted the lady behind me helped me and she said it's 12 dollars or 15 dollars and I had 10 and fumbled for change. She said to put the 10 in his shute and find a seat. She said that he knew I had short changed him. She told him where I wanted to go and that he would stop for me. It was a fair distance and he stopped and shouted out but I'm sitting there unaware because I can't see any signs of my hotel. She came charging up to me.... this is your stop... so I got out and sure enough it was just a few few streets away so that was enough for 1 day. However my cold got freshened up in the rain I think. I got really cold. But eventually warmed up. It's all good though.
You're not allowed to turn the aircon off and Wendy adapted it for me. I had layers on and my beanie all night. I had some chicken soup for dinner and slept quite well and today is another day.
Wendy and David caught a taxi to the ferry terminal and a ferry across to the waterworld. That has pandas and different water displays and activities. So they had a lovely time and they got back about an hour after I did.
I think they had made the right decision as they had had an experience the night before going into Kowloon with the hotel bus, but the bus wouldn't pick them up on the way home! So they decided that they would just go by taxi and not try to get the bus.
I wasn't offered the shuttle bus when I went up to the desk I was told to just catch the bus and I said what if I get lost you should get a taxi then. Wendy and David did the right thing but today is another day.
I'm hoping to go to SoGo today, my favourite shop in Singapore when I went there once and hopefully Kowloon park in the few hours while I'm waiting for the shuttle bus to the airport.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Friday after the afternoon tour
This afternoon I was picked up by a shuttle bus that took us to the bus that was taking us across to Hong Kong by the tunnel. I tried to take photos but he went pretty fast. I think I've got a few. Our guide was trying to be a comedian and a farmer from Warragul way in Victoria said that she could talk in under cement. So that was funny. Unfortunately I got lost at one point I didn't understand her instructions where to go after I went to the ladies and on the way back I wasn't sure which coffee shop to go to and I knew they were going to Starbucks but she didn't want me to walk that far but eventually I got there and she was gone. She didn't recognise me when she looked for me. She walked past and I was walking in circles but I recognised her so she was relieved. I don't think people knew that I was missing but I did take care next time she left us somewhere and I stayed with the couple from Warragul. It wasn't pleasant thinking about my options for getting back across the island. We had a good time. We went on a sanpan around the fishing boats that people live on. We saw some of the fancy boats that are moored there too. Also we went to a diamond factory. Quite a dump from the outside and a really classy building inside. Then we went to the market and I bought a couple of things. I tried to buy light. They took a photo and presented us with a plate with our photo and Hong Kong sites and a photo in a paper frame. I didn't buy it because I thought I don't need anything else in my case that was breakable and maybe I don't really want a photo of myself. The guide took my photo overlooking the harbour at a point where the rich live or use to live. It was such a good day. We didn't get back to the hotel till about 7:30. Wendy and Dave went on the morning tour and there was a note that they had gone to a market called the ladies market. The shuttle bus from the hotel took then. I don't think they are back yet. I had dinner downstairs in the restaurant and I was the only guest I think from the hotel but lots of locals. I just had roast vegetables. Hong Kong is a big city. It was quite humid today and it was so good getting a feel for it. I hope Wendy and David enjoyed themselves too. I think it's going to be an early night for me tonight. Shalom
random travel thoughts - before I forget
So much has happened and I don't want to forget somethings.....
some good and some of it disappointing but mostly all good . I did carry my chair or stool to most sites. The guides thought it was funny and accepted the fact that I was an eccentric old lady and I did use it but not as often as I thought. Some people were very kind and wanted to carry it but I tried to resist that because I wanted to be independent. Unfortunately the easiest way to travel with it was to hang it around my neck which looked ridiculous and I think Wendy took a photo so you can ask her for that. I really think it was worth it but the plan was to give it away and I did.
Another random thought is about money in Israel. I got a little bit confused and gave money to Wendy to buy something on the tour I didn't go on. Hong Kong dollars instead of sheckles. Also I believe I used a 100 dollar Hong Kong note in Jericho because we were going unexpectedly on a cable car to have lunch for 80 or 90 sheckles but when I got up to my turn to pay I gave her the 100 dollars and she said is this for one and I said yes and she just looked at me and gave me the change. so I could on. But thankfully it's not a lot of difference but sad still. Wendy had a reverse as well as sheckles at Masada for the dead sea foot cream for someone and the lady said you're going to miss out if you use this - so that was very kind of her. It turns out I had plenty of other opportunities!!
Another random thought is some people that I haven't talked about much I guess that is the porters at the airports. We organised to be picked up; David and I by wheelchair and Wendy tagged along after us pushing David or our luggage and it is just amazing because we didn't have to think about where to go next. Every time I've gone overseas I've just got confused with directions etc so we didn't have to think about it. when we actually got into Jerusalem/Tel Aviv we just walked because it was so good to get off the plane. Seating hasn't been good unfortunately the travel agent didn't get the aisle seat that David and I wanted. I like stand up an exercise every now and then. and David does too. I' sent an e-mail about it asking the agent to fix it for the return flights and unfortunately she still doesn't seem to have done it. So on the way to Hong Kong I was on the aisle and I got up a couple of times and the others followed. But we'll see on the way Perth it's a small plane I think and we have to take less luggage. So I'm a bit worried about it about that but I'm just deciding that I'm going to pay the 30 dollars a kilo I think!!! So we'll see! !
I remembered too when we arrived in Hong Kong the wheelchair drivers whizzed us around and a lady with some sort of medical device said something like temperature and puffed at my forehead. So I think I was checked for ebola. I don't know.
It was interesting today's now our last full day in Hong Kong. Wendy and Dave have gone off to I think the ocean park and I'm just laying around trying to get rid of my head cold. All is good. We had a nice breakfast and then we went up to the 17th floor. Boy how the other half live! It was some sort of club. We got chatting to an older couple there who visit HK twice a year. They said they never recommend Hong Kong to their friends because they had some friends come and they hated it. It's a busy cosmopolitan place. It's nothing like Singapore - I thought it would be similar but it's not. The cost of living is high but thankfully David and Wendy are having a good time. I went to give Dave a hug today....
I said are you up to hug and he said now I might fall over and proceeded to topple but he was mucking around. I was a bit worried!!
The couple have got friends here and they love it. They were just having a quiet breakfast nothing like where we had breakfast.... It was nice but very busy. This was an exclusive breakfast place but are we had the use of the computer to change our seats because disappointingly Breda had not done what she said she had. .... given Dave and I aisle seats. So we believe we have now and that's good Wendy was able to decipher the seating plan I had the plane going in the other direction!!! Tomorrow we are checking out at 12 but we don't get picked up for the airport till 6 so we might go shopping in the morning!
some good and some of it disappointing but mostly all good . I did carry my chair or stool to most sites. The guides thought it was funny and accepted the fact that I was an eccentric old lady and I did use it but not as often as I thought. Some people were very kind and wanted to carry it but I tried to resist that because I wanted to be independent. Unfortunately the easiest way to travel with it was to hang it around my neck which looked ridiculous and I think Wendy took a photo so you can ask her for that. I really think it was worth it but the plan was to give it away and I did.
Another random thought is about money in Israel. I got a little bit confused and gave money to Wendy to buy something on the tour I didn't go on. Hong Kong dollars instead of sheckles. Also I believe I used a 100 dollar Hong Kong note in Jericho because we were going unexpectedly on a cable car to have lunch for 80 or 90 sheckles but when I got up to my turn to pay I gave her the 100 dollars and she said is this for one and I said yes and she just looked at me and gave me the change. so I could on. But thankfully it's not a lot of difference but sad still. Wendy had a reverse as well as sheckles at Masada for the dead sea foot cream for someone and the lady said you're going to miss out if you use this - so that was very kind of her. It turns out I had plenty of other opportunities!!
Another random thought is some people that I haven't talked about much I guess that is the porters at the airports. We organised to be picked up; David and I by wheelchair and Wendy tagged along after us pushing David or our luggage and it is just amazing because we didn't have to think about where to go next. Every time I've gone overseas I've just got confused with directions etc so we didn't have to think about it. when we actually got into Jerusalem/Tel Aviv we just walked because it was so good to get off the plane. Seating hasn't been good unfortunately the travel agent didn't get the aisle seat that David and I wanted. I like stand up an exercise every now and then. and David does too. I' sent an e-mail about it asking the agent to fix it for the return flights and unfortunately she still doesn't seem to have done it. So on the way to Hong Kong I was on the aisle and I got up a couple of times and the others followed. But we'll see on the way Perth it's a small plane I think and we have to take less luggage. So I'm a bit worried about it about that but I'm just deciding that I'm going to pay the 30 dollars a kilo I think!!! So we'll see! !
I remembered too when we arrived in Hong Kong the wheelchair drivers whizzed us around and a lady with some sort of medical device said something like temperature and puffed at my forehead. So I think I was checked for ebola. I don't know.
It was interesting today's now our last full day in Hong Kong. Wendy and Dave have gone off to I think the ocean park and I'm just laying around trying to get rid of my head cold. All is good. We had a nice breakfast and then we went up to the 17th floor. Boy how the other half live! It was some sort of club. We got chatting to an older couple there who visit HK twice a year. They said they never recommend Hong Kong to their friends because they had some friends come and they hated it. It's a busy cosmopolitan place. It's nothing like Singapore - I thought it would be similar but it's not. The cost of living is high but thankfully David and Wendy are having a good time. I went to give Dave a hug today....
I said are you up to hug and he said now I might fall over and proceeded to topple but he was mucking around. I was a bit worried!!
The couple have got friends here and they love it. They were just having a quiet breakfast nothing like where we had breakfast.... It was nice but very busy. This was an exclusive breakfast place but are we had the use of the computer to change our seats because disappointingly Breda had not done what she said she had. .... given Dave and I aisle seats. So we believe we have now and that's good Wendy was able to decipher the seating plan I had the plane going in the other direction!!! Tomorrow we are checking out at 12 but we don't get picked up for the airport till 6 so we might go shopping in the morning!
from Hong Kong
Well we are in Hong Kong.
We left Tel Aviv on Wednesday afternoon and flew to Zurich just briefly waiting for the next plane to Hong Kong. We virtually travelled for one and a half days. This afternoon I'm doing a tour of Hong Kong. Wendy and David are on the same tour at the moment. We've traveled fairly well considering but of course there was a lot to see in Israel especially and we have had a lovely time. I'm already not disappointed coming to Hong Kong because I've already seen the hills of China yesterday from the bus. That's just special. I will see more on the .
At Tel Aviv I went down to the beach and took some photos. I just paddled and tried to take a picture of my feet in the water! I also took a photo of the bottle shop where I bought a small beer for my nephew who wanted something from the local store!!
I also had a cultural experience in the post office at Tel Aviv local shops. I sent a couple of postcards and that's about all to report .
We have been fortunate to have wifi at all our hotels. Today I asked for an adaptor from the hotel .... I read you could ask to borrow one and yes I have 1 for the whole time. So that's good because I couldn't buy one easily in Alice when I thought about it. I have purchased a bit of a stuff but not too much. I think I packed too much stuff. I'll need the layers in Perth however. I gave my stool away to the last tour guide and was pleased I had it for rests.
Yes it's been a lovely experience and contemplating the highlights of Israel I think just the whole experienced being there has been special and slowly I'm realising it has impacted me deeply.
Although this time I knew roughly what to expect there were still surprises. I keep sending that sing that song from way back 0h ancient of days. It's such an ancient land and a whole lot of the Jewish and Muslim people are still worshipping in the old traditional ways. We had some good times chatting to our guides along the way.
The adventure continues.
Shalom
We left Tel Aviv on Wednesday afternoon and flew to Zurich just briefly waiting for the next plane to Hong Kong. We virtually travelled for one and a half days. This afternoon I'm doing a tour of Hong Kong. Wendy and David are on the same tour at the moment. We've traveled fairly well considering but of course there was a lot to see in Israel especially and we have had a lovely time. I'm already not disappointed coming to Hong Kong because I've already seen the hills of China yesterday from the bus. That's just special. I will see more on the .
At Tel Aviv I went down to the beach and took some photos. I just paddled and tried to take a picture of my feet in the water! I also took a photo of the bottle shop where I bought a small beer for my nephew who wanted something from the local store!!
I also had a cultural experience in the post office at Tel Aviv local shops. I sent a couple of postcards and that's about all to report .
We have been fortunate to have wifi at all our hotels. Today I asked for an adaptor from the hotel .... I read you could ask to borrow one and yes I have 1 for the whole time. So that's good because I couldn't buy one easily in Alice when I thought about it. I have purchased a bit of a stuff but not too much. I think I packed too much stuff. I'll need the layers in Perth however. I gave my stool away to the last tour guide and was pleased I had it for rests.
Yes it's been a lovely experience and contemplating the highlights of Israel I think just the whole experienced being there has been special and slowly I'm realising it has impacted me deeply.
Although this time I knew roughly what to expect there were still surprises. I keep sending that sing that song from way back 0h ancient of days. It's such an ancient land and a whole lot of the Jewish and Muslim people are still worshipping in the old traditional ways. We had some good times chatting to our guides along the way.
The adventure continues.
Shalom
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Day 6 ... Acre, Haifa, Caesarea and Tel Aviv
Today is our last full day in Israel. We checked out of our lovely kibbutz just before 8. 00 and drove to Acre and heard the history of the Turks & crusaders in the area. We walked around soaking up the local atmosphere. Then we drove to Haifa and saw the Bahai Gardens - beautifully groomed. We didn't tour - just an overview. Our guide was patient while we took photos. I saw a couple from my Jericho tour which was nice. Then we drove to Caesarea Maritima and we walked around there slowly hearing again the history, seeing a movie of the area and its development over the centuries. A lady from Porto Rico chatted to me in broken English which was sweet. Then we had lunch at a nice little restaurant that was quite inexpensive with humongous serves of food, impressive. We drove to Tel Aviv via a quick look at the aqueduct and hearing a bit more of the history.
There was a mix up at the hotel about rooms but eventually we got settled the 5 of us are staying in the same hotel. We are on different floors but it's okay and now we are relaxing for a while. shalom
There was a mix up at the hotel about rooms but eventually we got settled the 5 of us are staying in the same hotel. We are on different floors but it's okay and now we are relaxing for a while. shalom
Day 5 - Sea of Galilee, Mt Beatitudes, Capernaum and Golan Heights
Today was an easier day lots of driving. Our driver and guide is Ronnie an Israeli who has fought in the army and his children have trained too. The car we're in hasn't got very good seat belts but it seems like a very strong sturdy and good car.
Firstly we drove down to the Sea of Galilee and we enjoyed a boat ride. It was fun as we joined in with a South African group who did some singing and dancing. We initially stood to attention for our national anthems as our flags were raised. The Jewish crew sang and got some of our group to dance, which went quite fast so I backed out quickly. It was good to watch. I went into the shop and bought a couple of things then we drove up to Mount Beatitudes where Jesus gave what they call the 8 blessings.... blessed are the meek....
blessed are the poor...
It was quite relaxed I remember it being quite busy last time. I didn't recognise the entrance and apparently they've moved the whole thing around so I don't know how they could do that, not the church but just the entrance and statue. When I mentioned it to Ronnie he just laughed and said are you sure you been to Israel? We drove to Capernaum next and saw the house where Peter lived. A church has been built over it. We went inside and viewed the largest synagogue built in that time. Historians think it was built as a snub to the Christians in the area. Again it was relaxed and we drove to another church to view beautiful mosaics. Then we drove up to the Golan Heights. We heard gunshots and also a grenade? going off but it was only the Israelis practicing so that was a relief. Sometimes they do hear and see fighting on the Syrian border. We didn't see any but we were quite close and Ronnie shared the history. We're going to a lecture tonight. Tomorrow morning we are leaving early with our bags to make our way back to Tel Aviv.
Shalom
Firstly we drove down to the Sea of Galilee and we enjoyed a boat ride. It was fun as we joined in with a South African group who did some singing and dancing. We initially stood to attention for our national anthems as our flags were raised. The Jewish crew sang and got some of our group to dance, which went quite fast so I backed out quickly. It was good to watch. I went into the shop and bought a couple of things then we drove up to Mount Beatitudes where Jesus gave what they call the 8 blessings.... blessed are the meek....
blessed are the poor...
It was quite relaxed I remember it being quite busy last time. I didn't recognise the entrance and apparently they've moved the whole thing around so I don't know how they could do that, not the church but just the entrance and statue. When I mentioned it to Ronnie he just laughed and said are you sure you been to Israel? We drove to Capernaum next and saw the house where Peter lived. A church has been built over it. We went inside and viewed the largest synagogue built in that time. Historians think it was built as a snub to the Christians in the area. Again it was relaxed and we drove to another church to view beautiful mosaics. Then we drove up to the Golan Heights. We heard gunshots and also a grenade? going off but it was only the Israelis practicing so that was a relief. Sometimes they do hear and see fighting on the Syrian border. We didn't see any but we were quite close and Ronnie shared the history. We're going to a lecture tonight. Tomorrow morning we are leaving early with our bags to make our way back to Tel Aviv.
Shalom
Monday, May 11, 2015
Day 4 ... from Jerusalem to Galilee
We had a breakfast as usual and we headed off through Jerusalem past the sites so we had seen on our way to Tiberias in Galilee via Nazareth. It was interesting because I didn't know that Jericho was on the way and so we saw some of the same sites but of course at a distance. The guide pointed out where I'd been yesterday and we discussed some of the things that happened. The rest of the group had a good day at a Massada and Qumron and the Dead Sea. Wendy went in the Dead Sea with another lady who's got MS and they helped each other float.
Today we had lunch at Nazareth and because most of the people are Christians the shops were shut. The town is a mixture of Arab Christians and Arab Muslims I believe. There were some shops open and we went to the church of Mary which is built over the house that Mary lived in and the others went to Joseph's workshop.. it was a church built over the site. I didn't go to that because it was up quite a few stairs, so I stayed back with the fellas.
We are a small group now... 2 couples Wendy and David and Colleen and John and the guide Ronnie. So we fit in a six seater people mover I forget what it's called but it's quite comfortable. There's room room for the bag lady, I have lots of bags! we're in a kibbutz now and we're having dinner at 7.00 and then a lecture at 8.30. We had some history today the guide is a history teacher at Elait I think and he also is a guide. He's passed on some interesting knowledge. I didn't realise that when the Kabutz's started up it was the Russians that came as part of the second alia and they wanted a new people without religion and & everyone having everything in common. That's changed over the years because not all people put their whole heart into the venture and relationships severed. So there's all sorts of things these days. .. commercial enterprises most of them are factories or hotels. This particular one is what they call religious and it's run by Jews and I think are very conservative people. There are a couple of guards at the front with machine guns and hip pistols I've never noticed the pistols before. But apparently there's always a guard with a machine gun as well as a hand gun sitting on the front desk. So I suppose they have had to do this to survive.
It's great being over here again and just a real privilege. 6tomorrow we're heading out to have a boat ride on the sea of Galilee and I'm not sure what the day holds for us. I've only got a couple of photos again today... one of our dining room this morning trying to share the expanse of food available, a man cooking eggs to order is in the distance I think and then there is a shot of the view as we're travelling towards Nazareth and then one of me standing in front of a sign post. The photos that I took it inside the church are on my camera.
Today we had lunch at Nazareth and because most of the people are Christians the shops were shut. The town is a mixture of Arab Christians and Arab Muslims I believe. There were some shops open and we went to the church of Mary which is built over the house that Mary lived in and the others went to Joseph's workshop.. it was a church built over the site. I didn't go to that because it was up quite a few stairs, so I stayed back with the fellas.
We are a small group now... 2 couples Wendy and David and Colleen and John and the guide Ronnie. So we fit in a six seater people mover I forget what it's called but it's quite comfortable. There's room room for the bag lady, I have lots of bags! we're in a kibbutz now and we're having dinner at 7.00 and then a lecture at 8.30. We had some history today the guide is a history teacher at Elait I think and he also is a guide. He's passed on some interesting knowledge. I didn't realise that when the Kabutz's started up it was the Russians that came as part of the second alia and they wanted a new people without religion and & everyone having everything in common. That's changed over the years because not all people put their whole heart into the venture and relationships severed. So there's all sorts of things these days. .. commercial enterprises most of them are factories or hotels. This particular one is what they call religious and it's run by Jews and I think are very conservative people. There are a couple of guards at the front with machine guns and hip pistols I've never noticed the pistols before. But apparently there's always a guard with a machine gun as well as a hand gun sitting on the front desk. So I suppose they have had to do this to survive.
It's great being over here again and just a real privilege. 6tomorrow we're heading out to have a boat ride on the sea of Galilee and I'm not sure what the day holds for us. I've only got a couple of photos again today... one of our dining room this morning trying to share the expanse of food available, a man cooking eggs to order is in the distance I think and then there is a shot of the view as we're travelling towards Nazareth and then one of me standing in front of a sign post. The photos that I took it inside the church are on my camera.
Saturday, May 09, 2015
Day 3 half day tour to Jericho
Then we went up to the mountain of the temptation and we had lunch....we went by cable car and it was quite an experience. Again there was lots of shopping and photo opportunities and this time someone took my photo. I didn't have to try and take a selfie. So then we came on back to Jerusalem and a couple of us were dropped off at our hotels and the others went on to Bethlehem. A good day It's nice to say that I've been to Jericho and Bethlehem now shalom.
Shrine of the book, Holocaust Museum and Bethlehem
Today was a bit easier than yesterday but it was still a bit of walking and climbing stairs with started off at museum which also has a scale Model of Jerusalem from the different stages through history which was interesting. Then we proceeded to the Shrine of the Book which holds the Qumron, ?spelling, scrolls. We heard the history of the scrolls being found and described how scholars have checked the scrolls, which had been missing for thousands of years, with current scripture and realised that there has not been any major changes despite the time elapsed. Then we went to the Church of the Visitation but I sat and talked to a couple of gentlemen. It was too hot and too much climbing. That's when Mary was supposed to have visited. Then we went on to the Holocaust Museum which was challenging, good and sad . Lots of people around today it's Shabbat and I don't think they work all day. I'm bit unsure some people seem to have the day off generally in Israel.
There's a loss of tourism numbers because of the unrest that's been happening. We have felt quite safe. That might change when we go up further. near the Syrian border, but it was still safe our friends from this tour said. They came from Galilee and we're going up there. They said that there was a military presence which wasn't present last time. Then we went to Bethlehem and we had a late lunch because the guides are trying to utilise the services within Bethlehem. They go there because a lot of Christians are leaving because of the unrest and they want to help businesses. It's Palestinian Christians running the restaurant and the shop that the tour company uses. We had a nice lunch and then we went to the shop and we were encouraged to buy there and the prices seem reasonable. I did buy some souvenirs and a scarf for myself.
A good day and so I'm resting up and then I'll go for a meal downstairs.
I'm leaving my friends tomorrow as I'm going on a different tour. I am going to Jericho and they're going on to Masada and Qumron and then the dead sea. I just wanted to go to Jericho because we didn't go last time. The guide was funny because of course he's got a ticket for me to Masada but so it was a misunderstanding. They found my ticket to Jericho and I'll be picked up. He said you don't need to go to Jericho it is in the book and you can read it. The walls fell down. I thought that was funny and I hope I'm not going to be disappointed because of course there's not much to see. I guess tomorrow is another day.
There's a loss of tourism numbers because of the unrest that's been happening. We have felt quite safe. That might change when we go up further. near the Syrian border, but it was still safe our friends from this tour said. They came from Galilee and we're going up there. They said that there was a military presence which wasn't present last time. Then we went to Bethlehem and we had a late lunch because the guides are trying to utilise the services within Bethlehem. They go there because a lot of Christians are leaving because of the unrest and they want to help businesses. It's Palestinian Christians running the restaurant and the shop that the tour company uses. We had a nice lunch and then we went to the shop and we were encouraged to buy there and the prices seem reasonable. I did buy some souvenirs and a scarf for myself.
A good day and so I'm resting up and then I'll go for a meal downstairs.
I'm leaving my friends tomorrow as I'm going on a different tour. I am going to Jericho and they're going on to Masada and Qumron and then the dead sea. I just wanted to go to Jericho because we didn't go last time. The guide was funny because of course he's got a ticket for me to Masada but so it was a misunderstanding. They found my ticket to Jericho and I'll be picked up. He said you don't need to go to Jericho it is in the book and you can read it. The walls fell down. I thought that was funny and I hope I'm not going to be disappointed because of course there's not much to see. I guess tomorrow is another day.
Friday, May 08, 2015
Thursday, May 07, 2015
well here we are in Jerusalem. We had a tour today walking around the city. We saw the western wall, we walked the via dolorosa with all the shops and the bazaar we had lunch in a cafe quite nice pretty tired. We are resting up in our respective hotel rooms. I have come with Wendy and David Pearson and we met with people travelling in a little tour bus.
Thankfully there's a few others with walking sticks so I don't feel quite so fragile. I guess we're all about the same age which is nice. There's a lawyer from San Francisco, a lady from Canada, a couple from New Zealand a couple from Brisbane, and a couple from USA, but I forget where.
We left Alice Springs on Tuesday morning, went to Perth, flew to Singapore, waited there for a little while for the next plane and then we went to Zurich. I sat next to a Swiss gentleman who just came from New Zealand. He is about 20 and was so sweet. It was raining in Switzerland so I took no photos. I took one in Singapore at the airport.
We travelled for two days with not much sleep so were pretty tired last nigh. We were grateful for a smorgasbord meal and went to bed early.
Friday, April 18, 2014
The last leg to Australia then Broome
It's now Easter Friday and I'm in Broome. Yesterday was quite eventful in a low key way. Long flight during the night, drink of water prior to landing before 5.00. Customs was a breeze and I bought a coffee and established where I would be catching the flight to Broome mid morning. At about 6.20 I took a taxi to my friend Maureens retirement village and she had just walked outside enjoying the cooler morning and wondering when I would arrive. I packed a smaller case, Maureens, with my summer clothes and we walked to a nearby restaurant for breakfast. Then we went our separate ways and I checked in for my Air North flight.
That's when the day got more interesting. We took off and when we were almost at Kununurra we turned back as a fuse had blown. I was so looking forward to having a long sleep after lunch to catch up on lost sleep!!! Eventually we alighted at Kununurra and I bought a coffee and a banana. Yes! My friends were waiting for me at the airport and I don't think we have stopped talking!.....................................
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Wednesday
Everything went very smoothly for my departure from Tokyo from waking, packing , catching the airport limousine bus, queuing in the right checkin line at the airport. However I discovered my case was split in a couple of places and an airline clerk kindly bound the offending area with tape. Hopefully it will hold. When I was officially checked in I negotiated customs and passport control and decided it was time to buy cheap Sake for my nephew. He requested some local sake from a store I passed however I don't remember seeing one in our fancy area. I ended up with a small carton of fruit boxes containing sake! I think he may decline the gift. I bought a few souvenirs and waited to board. The time went fast. Our plane was a bit late leaving, aircon resetting we were told later and I had a seat to myself so I spread out.
Malaysian Air have very roomy planes but not as modern entertainment centres as Qantas, I watched the Mary Poppins movie. We were able to select a newspaper prior to leaving and offered beer or wine before our meal. A comfortable flight with a few bumps. We safely arrived in KL and had 5 hours between flights. I needed that to organise myself as there was a train to catch to another terminal and then once settled in the correct area I put my feet up. We left on time and served a rice and fish triangle wrapped in seaweed at 11.00 pm. I couldn't work out how to open the pack with the seaweed around the rice - the Asians near me managed to do it but I just snacked on my rice and hoped no one noticed. 
