March 5 & 6 Tue & Wed Day 1

Marcel and I left our home at 10:30, stopped for breakfast, and had time to visit with my dad in Toronto.  En-route, we did some Bible study.  I read to Marcel the texts relating to our first few days in Israel.  After a short visit with dad,  my sister Henny dropped us off at the airport.  

After smoothly going through customs the group waits for departure.  We got acquainted with some of our fellow travelers.  But we weren't quite sure which ones they were.  The flight was 11 1/2 hrs.  We boarded on time and after a good supper on the plane, a few winks, then breakfast, we arrived safely at 5:30am (12:30 local time) on Wed.   

Arriving in Israel, we gather before continuing the trip on our bus tour.  By 6:30 am (1:30 pm here in Israel) we boarded the bus with the aid of our guide Doron. Very organized. All of us received gifts.  A bag, cap, map, a travel diary and a pen donated by Don made of olive wood.  
We had a prayer for thankfulness for the safe journey, and safety for the trip and each other and the driver.
We were divided into groups of five.  (First five books of the Bible) One leader per group.  This was done to speed up row call.  Works great.  

School

1000 year old church.  Fig tree in front.
The steeple is 200 years old, while the chapel in front is 5-600 yrs old.   

An awesome way to start our holidays.  No snow, blue sky and a warm sun. 

The shrub behind the sign is a Salt bush.   Salt bush is a shrub that grows throughout the Mediterranean region  Salt bush is a nutritious plant, high in protein, vitamins C , A , and D , and minerals such as chronium.  It is also fairly tasty—shepherds as well as their flocks enjoy eating salt bush.
We all tasted the salty leaves.

Our guide: Doron Bookshtein telling us the history of Jaffa.  

It was from Jaffa that Jonah set sail, before his encounter with the whale, and in Jaffa where Peter raised Tabitha from the dead.  Here, Peter was divinely led to “think out of the box.” The story in Acts 10:5-23, finds Peter on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner, where he had his famous vision (Acts 10:12-13), that led him to preach the Gospel to the gentiles at Caesarea. 

'Statue of Faith'.  Several biblical scenes are carved on the sculpture, including the Binding of Isaac, the Conquest of Jericho and Jacob's Ladder.  

Jaffa/Joppa

Raven

Another view of Jaffa

On the tour of Tel Aviv on our way North to our hotel in Netanya.
We learned:  25 % of Israel's population live in the Jaffa/Tel Aviv area.
Ficus retusa nitida trees lining the street.  All signs are in Hebrew, Arabic and English
Street crime in Israel is close to zero. 

Large hotel room overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Seasons Hotel, Netanya. 

View from our balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. 
More fellowship at dinnertime.  A buffet supper.  No coffee, or butter.
Apparently dairy and meat may not be served at the same meal.
Looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow.  Bed time.
Love to you all.
Alida/mom/grandma.