Friday March 4 - Golan Heights

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March 4
We woke to a beautiful day and sunrise. Our first stop this morning was church at Tabgha. This was the site where Jesus fed the five thousand. The church we entered was built on the original site. We have included a picture of mosiac and the rock Jesus laid the basket of fish and bread.
Our second stop was at the national park, Tel Dan. We hiked through an area similar to the Boundary Waters. We saw rushing water and low overhanging trees. We also came to a sacrificial site on the Lebanon / Syria border. We also saw a bunker and trench used during the six day war. We were less than 1/8 mile from the Lebanon / Syria border. Very safe and very quiet. We also visited the ancient city of Dan. Huge ancient gates and large boulder walls.
Our two final stops this morning have been the Banais Falls and springs. Beautiful waterfalls, this is only one of three natural springs in Israel.
We had lunch in a Druzel city in the Golan Heights. We took pictures of the restaurant and enjoyed a turkey/chicken gyro. We then headed to Syria border and visited the "Valley of Tears". It was the site of a major military victory for Israel in 1973. We saw one of the defeated tanks and the valley of the victory. We also took pictures of an active mine field and took a picture of a UN observer team. We made a stop at Mt. Bental. Mt. Bental was an Israel military outpost. From the top, the IDF constructed under ground bunkers and shooting lanes. It was quite impressive. Sherry and I were able walk through the underground bunkers and tunnel system.

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Photos

At the falls
Banais Falls - waterfall from Mt. Herman

Tagba Church
Church at Tagba - where Jesus fed the 5,000 with fish and loaves.

Tabga mosiac floor
Fish ad loaves and rock

Dan River -
The river at the Tel Dan reserve

Dan River
We learned of the history of the springs and Israel

Altar at Dan
The Dannites performed sacrifices on this altar.

Dan Altar
Another view of the ruins and the altar

Canaanite Gate
Entrance to the city of Dan. Abraham traveled through this gate.

Canaanite Gate
See how large the excavation is.

Ancient Dan
The walls of ancient Dan. Populated in 2700 BC. See Judges 18:27-29

The Israelite Gate
Another gate to enter the city of Dan.

Banias Waterfall
The falls - beautiful

Caesarea Philippi
See Matthew 16:13-20 for the explanation of this famous site. Jesus and his apostles traveled there.

Banais Overlook
Behind Sherry is the Golan Heights and Syria.

Caesarea Philippi
The cave and temple sites were areas for worship to other Gods by the gentiles. God of Pan (man with a Goat head!)

Caesarea Philippi
The ruins and cave area where the temples were.

lunch in Mas'ada
We pulled this bus into a little restaurant in the city of Mas'ada iin the Golan Heights.

Lunch is served
We were served a pita with fried chickpea or a turkey/chicken gyro. It was pretty good, kind of like a Arab subway.

Our Chef
Here is the kitchen!

Restaurant
One bathroom and one sink...but very clean!!!

Mine fields ahead
We spent the afternoon on top of the Golan Heights touring Israel military victory sites. We also many signs along the road with active mine fields.

Comments

[Wayne Miller]

Hi From Fargo
Hi Doug and Sherry Looks like your trip is going well. I have to ask what did Sherry buy? Stay safe. Wayne