Ancient Boat at Sea of Galilee and Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth

The Jesus Boat

Going to our boat on the Sea of Galilee

Cruising on the Sea of Gailee

We had a full day of events.  After breakfast, we left for the Sea of Galilee, which is really a fresh water lake.  Another one of those lost in translation issues.  We visited a museum with the ancient boat.  Actually they call it the Jesus Boat.  It makes sense but just sounds funny.  Any way, they found the boat in the mud and worked for years to preserve it before building the museum.  They are not saying Jesus was on the boat but the boat was in use in the time of Jesus.  Not to be cruel but once I saw the boat I could understand why Jesus decided to walk.  During the cruise we had a Hora dance lesson.

Sea of Galilee

Hora dance lesson.

Then we visited the first kibbutz that was established in 1910.  It started out as a commune but as successive generations have come about, the rules have had to change.  The kibbutz is still functioning but not as it did originally.

Original Kibbutz buildings.

Crossing the Jordan River

This is St. Joseph's church.

After the kibbutz, we had a wonderful lunch and then a visit to the Church of Annunciation.  It is a modern church and the bottom level has the remains of the home of Mary, Mother of Jesus.  The top level is a modern church.  St. Joseph's church is there too.

The bottom level of the Church of the Annunciation with the remains of Mary's home.

A panel of gentlemen from four different religions gave a talk and answered questions about Haifa and how the city has such a wonderful sense of diversity and acceptance.  It was very interesting to hear about life in Haifa from each of them.  What was most interesting was their love of Haifa.  That sense of community and common bond was key to the quality of life.

Mured, Said, Aron and Kawallah 

Tomorrow we are off to Akko to tour the Crusader fortress and then on to Jerusalem.  We will be in Jerusalem for 4 days.