ASHDOD, BETHLEHEM, ISRAEL

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Came into Ashdod port very early this morning - way ahead of time. Had breakfast and off ship by 6.30a.m. About one and a half hour drive into Jerusalem. From Ashdod along the highway were many farms and wine growing areas - I thought Israel was all rock - lots of green market gardens but once in Jerusalem and other side of it very desert like. First stop was the Western Wall - the old walled town was very interesting - Tomb of David - Wailing Wall - lunch in the old town and then onto Bethlehem to the Nativity Church. Huge security everywhere - I think we went through 4 checkpoints today - even to get into the old city had all our bags checked. Young Israeli and Palestinian soldiers everywhere! When we went across into Palestine for Bethlehem had to ditch our Israeli Guide for a Palestinian Guide - very barren and poor Palestine - our guides were lovely though - not too much of the politics - kept to the history.

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Photos

JERUSALEM
Overlooking the old walled city

JERUSALEM
Wailing wall

JERUSALEM
A popular place for Barmitzvahs!

JERUSALEM
From the mount of olives

JERUSALEM
Harp of David

Comments

[kaz]

morning
morning to you both i love reading all your travels bit cold here today glor iv sent off auntys parcel we rang uncle les yesterday had a good laugh your mum is walking every day to stop her back hurting said its helping reg i have booked our motel we going up sat ray and julie coming we doing a harbour lunch cruise they will go home sun afternoon we will have quite night sun as we have to be their early mon 730 to pick yous up keep enjoying yourselves xxxxx