We met early in 1996 and from May to November 1996 Dale had a UN tour of duty to serve over in the Golan Heights of Israel. It was a perfect opportunity for me to travel! So I packed up and flew over late in the summer of 1996 while he was on leave, to the beautiful Holy Land. He had spent 3 months learning about the Middle East and was an awesome tour guide for me, needless to say, and this was to be the best vacation of my lifetime. We were in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea for nearly a week and during this time we travelled around on the coast and through the city of Jerusalem.   So happy to be on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea! I ran out a few hundred yards in my clothes, oh also, the airlines had 'misplaced' my luggage so I only had the one change of clothes which luckily I had stashed in my carry-on along with my emergency supplies, hair dryer and things!    < left is our Hotel, which was one block from the Sea and although not one of the skyscrapers on the coast, it was quaint and had the most awesome fresh breakfast buffet each morning. Their breakfast was my introduction to Middle Eastern food which I love to this day and could make a diet of it. The fresh tomatoes and cucumbers with pita breads and fruit were the best way to start a day. The coffee of course is probably 10 times stronger than what I narmally drink but talk about a wake up! It was great :) The little dining room was homey, warm and friendly. I would go back in a minute. Dale and I walked for hours and miles along the Sea on the beautiful Promenade in Tel Aviv. During the night it was lit up beautifully and in the morning early we would pass joggers and people strolling with their coffee. The Hard Rock Cafe Tel Aviv is on the Promenade and we had dinner there on our first night, it was fabulous! Plus Dale bought me a Cafe T-Shirt, the first item of my 'waiting for luggage' wardrobe :)    Along the Promenade Outdoor Cafe in the Old City of Jerusalem We are walking around in David's Tower in the old city of Jerusalem The Souk TowerofDavid Street in Jerusalem Souk - Marketplace in Streets of Jerusalem From Tel Aviv on the coast we travelled north to our destination - the Golan Heights and the military base where Dale was stationed. From there we went to Nazareth, the Jordan River and Sea of Galillee and Capernaum where Jesus lived. It was a remarkable experience to walk where Jesus once walked, preached and performed miracles.    The next few pictures are at Nimrod's Fortress which was built on one of the highest points in Israel in the Golan Heights. Remember the story of how Nimrod wanted to build a tower to reach Heaven? Well that's the place. It was fascinating and we were pretty much the only two exploring around in the fortress. From the top of the hill you can overlook Israel, Jordan and Lebanon, it's totally beautiful.    Climbing around in the Fortress The Synagogue at Capernaum Outside the Synagogue of Jesus In the Synagogue of Jesus at Capernaum Resting in a square on a Nazareth Street We spent a day in the beautiful city of Nazareth, eating scrumptious Greek food, shopping (mostly bargaining) and looking at the sights. The most amazing place that we visited was the Basilica of the Anunciation. The place where the Angel made it known to Mary that she was going to become pregnant has been identified by an alter which has been preserved although the Basilica has been updated and renovated over the centuries. It's an incredibly Holy place to meditate. Basilica of the Anunciation - Nazareth Inside the Basilica - looking into the Holy Alter On the Seashore of the Mediterranean in the pretty city of Natanya. So sweet! Writing our names in the sand :) Go back to... Main Travels Menu