Ashdod, (Jerusalem) Israel April 10-11, 2022

We cruise around the proximity of PortAshdod, and then to nowhere, and eventually dock sometime at midnight in Ashdod.  While near the port we picked up a team of healthcare workers who set up shop in the ship in order to perform their own Covid tests on all the guest who wanted to go ashore.  It was a well organized and painless procedure, though it waisted a day.  One was neither at see nor in port, which changed the daily routine.  Our Captain called it “the slow boat to China”.  I would have to say “the slow boat to nowhere”.  

The following morning we woke to a lovely morning albeit still a bit cool, 67 warming to 70.  It is the sixth largest city and also the  largest industrial port.  It was indeed a busy working port and handles 60% of the country’s port cargo.   It has about 230,000 inhabitants.  For peace and tranquility they recommend heading to their public beaches and marinas which are rarely crowed.  

We took the tour to Old City and Modern Jerusalem, about an hours drive from Ashdod.  The drive took us from the lowlands into the Jadean Mountains.   My first time there, so quite impressive in many ways.  Though our tour did not allow sufficient time in the Old city.  Its primary focus was Mount of Olives which provided a panoramic view of both the Old and New city of Jerusalem and secondary focus of entering the Old City wall and visiting the Wailing wall. We had a brief glimpse into one of the tunnels leading to the inner old city which was filled with buzzing shops.  Before entering the old city wall and into the old city you had to go through a security screening.  There was no time allotted for walking through  the tunnels and exploring the inner city of Jerusalem, which I was most interested in doing.     

  The countryside is very hilly and green, it was the amount of greenery that impressed me considering its a very dry  dessert like region.  We were told there are more trees  now than ever before.  Their water conservation and  recycling 90 to 100% of their gray water is commendable and is what irrigates all their crops and planted palms, tress, orchard and so on.  There are some underground springs and most of its drinking water is from desalination of the Mediterranean Sea.  Though some also comes from the Sea of Galilee.  Israel has sufficient water to provide water to Jordan.  How nice and neighborly!

I was bombarded with copious amount of information during the tour making it somewhat difficult to select the highlights.  So dear readers if you want to details, please consult Google.  However,  I will share a few impressions.  Israel with its Jewish, Muslim, and Catholic coexistence is interesting, with very defined separate neighborhoods living peacefully side by side.  Our guide said each culture chooses to be amongst  themselves, as  that is what makes them feel comfortable.  There is no desire on anyone’s part to integrate, however there is great emphasis on acceptance.   Education is of utmost importance.   The majority of structures are covered in sandstone veneer or actual sandstone blocks, creating rather monochrome cities, towns and villages, with only their plantings breaking up the monotony. The countryside  with its  topography and varied vegetation  is beautiful, especially in spring with its various blooming tress, shrubs and wildflowers.   Israel is a very industrious nations with emphasis on technology.  It’s security forces are very visible especially at prominent places and financial institutions.  English is spoken widely and now mandatory in school.  The shopkeepers are very friendly and not overbearing.   It it among the most expensive countries to live in.  Cars are taxed at 110% yet it seems everyone has one and their public transit system seems somewhat nonexistent.  Gas goes for $9.00 a gallon.  Israel is a very complicated country and its politics will remain a point of contention.  Israel and this region has such a tumultuous history and with Jerusalem one of the oldest cities and an important pilgrimage site for major world religions warrants further investigation.     Maybe another trip.  Let’s just say, it left me intrigued and changed my original disinterest for the country and I no longer would hesitate to visit it again. 

View of the Old City and Modern Jerusalem as seen from Mount of Olives 

Scenery as we drive from Ashdod to Jerusalem.  We pass vineyards, Orange Groves, agricultural fields, Olive groves, and much more.  Amazingly green, due to is vast plantings and irrigation.

As we arrive at Mount of Olives, we are greeted by a camel for hire…..for $5.00 you could ride the camel for a few minutes.  Picture taking was free. 

One of many views from Mount Of Olive lookout point.  

At Mount of Olives, overlooking the Old City. Mount of Olive is so named for the Olive groves that once dotted its shop.  It is home to many ancient Christian shrines and churches including the Chapel of the Ascension, built on the site where many Christians and Muslims believe Jesus Christ ascended to heaven.

Unfortunately our tour guide failed to include a visit to the Chapel.    

A Mormon Church and school.

Various churches we saw on the way to Old City

Mount of Olive Graveyard.   It is a vast sea of graves, all with above ground tombs, though the bodies are buried below ground.  A custom is to lay stones on the grave as a remembrance and the more stones on the grave the more people remembered the deceased.  

Approaching the Old City 

Parts of the Old City 

Inside the West Wall at the Wailing Wall,  there is a portion of the wall set aside for women.

And another for men, separated by an artificial wall.  Chairs were provided on the women side.  Also a lot less men than woman seem  to visit the Wailing wall, though you can’t tell from the picture.  I guess women have more need to wish and pray for something.  

Inside one of the tunnels leading to the interior of the Old City are a series of souvenirs and food vendors. 

Heading back to port Ashdod