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Published: October 7th 2013
CRUISE SHIP
COMING TO HAIFA - COSTA CRUISESAKKO AND DRIVE TO JERUSALEM - DAY5
I awoke this morning and saw a cruise ship come into port. I found out two were coming to Haifa today and 50 bus loads of visitors were going to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee today. I’m glad we went yesterday! The ride to Akko was short and easy but the traffic coming into Haifa was seriously backed up at the start of the work day. Akko is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world dating back to the era of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose. Our first stop was a visit to the Jezzar Pasha Mosque. An excellent example of Ottoman architecture, the mosque is named for Ahmed al-Jezzar Pasha, who defeated Napoleon at the 1799 French siege of Akko.
We then took a walking tour through the walled city where, among others, Crusader Richard the Lion Heart walked. We visited the Knight’s Hall, the citadel, hospital, prison and ancient tunnels used for sewage, escape and smuggling. Traces of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Crusaders, Ottomans, Bedouins and the British (who have all ruled here) can be seen, as well as evidence of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. If
you remember the movie “Exodus”, the prison where the Zionists were held (and some hanged) by the British was here in the walled city. When we left the walled city, we walked through a covered street market where several locals were shopping for food and apparel. Interesting sights, sounds and smells. We took another recently discovered tunnel to the port area where we were treated to a fantastic lunch at Uri Buri, a fish restaurant with a deserved superior reputation. Then on the bus where we said goodbye to our excellent tour guide Zivit before heading to Jerusalem.
The ride to Jerusalem was highlighted by a long, slow entry into the metropolitan area. The traffic was made much worse by preparations for a funeral procession for a prominent person (I don’t know who, but he had to be BIG). When we finally arrived at the David Citadel Hotel check in was smooth and easy. It’s another beautiful hotel and my room overlooks the hotel pool and I can easily see the wall of the Old City. I walked to the Mamilla Street which is a modern, pedestrian shopping and restaurant area just across the street from the hotel. I
found an Italian restaurant, Café Rimon, and got a small pizza. After such a big lunch, I probably didn’t need anything, but I gave in and decided to help the local economy.
Tomorrow we will be doing a walking tour of the Old City and going to the Garden of Gethsemame and taking a group picture at the Mount of Olives. ILYS
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elaine
non-member comment
Sounds like a great trip
Just a quick reply. What cruise line is offering this trip and are all the day trips from ship or did you plan them ahead. I have often wondered about travelling into this part of the world, but always seems some upheaval is occurring. Look forward to the next entry. Lainie