Final Thoughts I expected this to be a trip of my lifetime and it did not disappoint. I am amazed at Israel’s diversity in all respects – geography, cultural and religious. It is a beautiful country. It has the most ancient cities and ruins that I have ever seen. Tel Aviv is as modern as possible. Israelis have a good life. The economy is doing well. Unemployment is low as is street or violent crime. Crime is not something that you worry about as you w...

Day 13 - July 18th Golan Heights We decide to head north for my last full day to the Golan Heights area. First stop is Rosh HaNikra. Rosh HaNikra ("head of the grottos") is a geologic formation in Israel, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Western Galilee. It is a white chalk cliff face which opens up into spectacular grottos. We take a cable car which claims to be the steepest in existence down to the grottos and walked through tunnels forme...

Day 14 - July 19th It is time to leave. I am truly sad at airport. While I did so much, there was so much more to see and do. Prior to checking in, I am questioned by an Israeli security officer. Apparently, Israeli security personnel interview every person or group before they are allowed to board a plane. My interviewer is a young man. Pleasant but very inquisitive. He tells me this is a screening process to prevent planes from getting bombed. I can tell that...

Day 12 - July 17th Back to Jerusalem. Planning on a light day after yesterday's action packed day. We visit The Ammunition Hill Museum. Great story about the museum. During the Six Day War in June 1967, one of Israel's glorious victories was the battle to reunite Jerusalem. Ammunition Hill was a military post in the northern part of Jordanian controlled East Jerusalem, and the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Six Day War. The post consisted of tens of...

Day 11 – July 16th Galilee I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead. Wait – I digress. Big day planned today. Start off going to the Mount of Precipce which overlooks the entire city of Nazareth. It is also known as The Leaping Mountain because Jesus is said to have jumped from the mountain when he was being chased. Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the popu...