Israel: The Holy Land and Timeless Cultures

   10/1/2023 - Petra to Haifa

Driving and riding in a bus from Petra to Haifa is not for the faint of heart. There are single lanes, challenging oncoming traffic, and frightening heights (which is why we departed so early from Petra). 

On our way out, we finally discovered that this hot-air balloon, the best beacon to follow when lost, was anchored close to the Guest House. In May 2023, Petra Balloon started offering hot air balloon rides over Petra. It will have about 30 passengers in the basket.

Out in the middle of nowhere, at a gas station/souvenir/interesting toilets, was this beautiful backdrop for couples getting hitched.

 Even though Rich and Jim are cousins, and I, of course, am the instigator, the temptation to pose on the swing was too strong to ignore.

3.5 hours after departure from our Hotel, we crossed the Jordan/Israel border via Allenby Bridge (AKA King Hussein Bridge), passing through customs. Things were proceeding reasonably well until we reached the airport, where all hell broke loose. 

First, my titanium knees set off the alarm (no surprise there, but they refused to scan me through the 360-degree machine I have to use because that was for the men. Don't ask me why.) I was told to sit in the chairs and wait. Meanwhile, my passport, laptop, money, and backpack continued on their separate way. (Thankfully, Diane kept a close eye on things for me until I found the woman with the magic wand that beeps everywhere on my body except where the titanium resides.)

Slowly, I started recalling less-than-satisfactory memories from earlier countries in the Middle East that did the same thing. Note to self - don't visit any more of those countries.

We still had to find out where our checked luggage ended up until about an hour later at a distant terminal. Thank goodness our trip leader found us and led us to the "Promised Land" and our possessions; otherwise, we would still be looking for them.

We met up with the rest of our group outside our Hotel, 

the Golden Crowne in Haifa.

I loved Haifa, especially our hotel location. This sculpture and a shopping mall were just around the corner, complete with an ATM and pharmacy, and next door to the ubiquitous McDonald's. 

The street alongside the sculpture and behind Rich (in a green shirt) was one restaurant after another. The five of us on the pre-trip wanted something different from Jordanian fare, and we found a diamond-in-the-rough with Mirabella and its Prix fixe menu. For $17, we had an entree, large salad, and a beer! Diane, Doug, and I had massive, fantastic pizzas, and John and Rich enjoyed pasta.

Fantastic white pizza with lots of garlic oil.

Happy hour beer. German Weihenstephan, 

the "World's Oldest Brewery."

Before returning to the Hotel, I wanted to capture the mystery and beauty of the Baha'i Gardens after darkness. In July 2008' the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa and 'Akko were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of their "outstanding universal value" as holy places and places of pilgrimage for the followers of the Bahá'í Faith. 

The beauty and magnificence of the Gardens and Terraces… are symbolic of the nature of the transformation destined to occur both within the hearts of the world's peoples and in the planet's physical environment."