Today we got an early start and drove to the northside of the Sea of Galilee to visit ruins Capernaum, Kurzi and Korazim only to discover "Capernaum" has a dress code because and is run privately by the Catholic Church. Memo to self for future reference! Instead, we decided to drive up north to Tel Dan and Caesarea Philippi.
At Tel Dan we saw the ruins of the Israelite city of Dan as well as the pagan temple shrine remains established by the king of the northern kingdom of Israel. After that, we followed a nature trail that took us along side several springs and streams that flow through the area.
Next, we went to the area of Caesarea Philippi at Panias (modern Banias), where the ancient Greek shrine to the the Greek god "Pan" is located. At the base of the mountain next to the shrine is a deep cave from which a spring emerges. The Greeks believed such openings were gateways to the underworld - Hades. This site is believed by many scholars to be where Jesus spoke to his disciples and said; "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of
Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16)
After looking at the ruins there, we went on an extended nature walk through the nature preserve at the park where the Banias falls are located. Another miscalculation on my part! lol It was quite a hike, harder then I remember it being. Maybe because I was in better shape last time and about 50 lbs lighter. It concludes at a parking area on the other side of a canyon several miles away from the parking lot from which we began. We decided to walk the highway back to our original starting point. Patty took a picture of a "land mine" warning sign in a fenced off area along our return path. A nice Israeli farmer in a truck offered us a lift back to our car and we gladly accepted.
These sites are located near the Northern border with Lebanon. I was able to show Patty where I was stationed during my volunteer work last time at Beit Hillel and she was able to see across the border into Lebanon at several points along the way. She took pictures of a village on the Lebanese side of the border. Afterwards, we drove back to Tiberias, showered and crashed. Tomorrow, it's Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Korazim, Kursi (with the right clothes) and the Jordan river!
Next, we went to the area of Caesarea Philippi at Panias (modern Banias), where the ancient Greek shrine to the the Greek god "Pan" is located. At the base of the mountain next to the shrine is a deep cave from which a spring emerges. The Greeks believed such openings were gateways to the underworld - Hades. This site is believed by many scholars to be where Jesus spoke to his disciples and said; "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16)
After looking at the ruins there, we went on an extended nature walk through the nature preserve at the park where the Banias falls are located. Another miscalculation on my part! lol It was quite a hike, harder then I remember it being. Maybe because I was in better shape last time and about 50 lbs lighter. It concludes at a parking area on the other side of a canyon several miles away from the parking lot from which we began. We decided to walk the highway back to our original starting point. Patty took a picture of a "land mine" warning sign in a fenced off area along our return path. A nice Israeli farmer in a truck offered us a lift back to our car and we gladly accepted.
These sites are located near the Northern border with Lebanon. I was able to show Patty where I was stationed during my volunteer work last time at Beit Hillel and she was able to see across the border into Lebanon at several points along the way. She took pictures of a village on the Lebanese side of the border. Afterwards, we drove back to Tiberias, showered and crashed. Tomorrow, it's Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Korazim, Kursi (with the right clothes) and the Jordan river!
Looks like you guys had quite a day. The waterfall is lovely. I bet after that long hike you wanted to jump in! Love the cave with Patty playing "Vanna White."
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Woa, beautiful waterfall. Nice to see you PattyPat! You're in Israel! Killer!
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