It was a gorgeous day today! We couldn't have ordered better weather. Winds were light and the sun was sunny. Today started out with a drive north to Capernaum. The city where Jesus spent most of his ministry. We started out on the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus is believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount. 
There is a chapel there built by Mussolini in 1937. It was made of Italian Marble. Just beautiful. It is maintained by nuns of an Italian Franciscan order. The grounds have several areas separated out where people can spend time in worship or just to be still. We sat grouped together on large rocks and looked down the hillside-just as Jesus must have done all those years ago. It is so beautiful. The rolling hills are lush and green. There is a lot of different crops grown out here-mostly we saw different kinds of fruit trees:bananas, mangos, cherries, apples, pears, olives. Oh, and grapes. Lots of grapes.
There is a chapel there built by Mussolini in 1937. It was made of Italian Marble. Just beautiful. It is maintained by nuns of an Italian Franciscan order. The grounds have several areas separated out where people can spend time in worship or just to be still. We sat grouped together on large rocks and looked down the hillside-just as Jesus must have done all those years ago. It is so beautiful. The rolling hills are lush and green. There is a lot of different crops grown out here-mostly we saw different kinds of fruit trees:bananas, mangos, cherries, apples, pears, olives. Oh, and grapes. Lots of grapes. Next was Mount Hermon. The melting snows provide water to the Jordan river. It is al
so the traditional site of the Transfiguration. Pan's Cave/Gates of Hades (same cave) is also there. There is a Druze Temple built up on the hillside. The Druze are a Muslim sect that are pretty much exclusive. They don't recruit, but they are never allowed to leave. We drove through a couple of their villages.
so the traditional site of the Transfiguration. Pan's Cave/Gates of Hades (same cave) is also there. There is a Druze Temple built up on the hillside. The Druze are a Muslim sect that are pretty much exclusive. They don't recruit, but they are never allowed to leave. We drove through a couple of their villages. Lunch was St. Peter's fish. Tilapia with head and fins still attached. It was actually pretty good. Gotta try and experience as much as the culture as I can. I think only a couple of us passed on the fish and had pasta instead. I kept thinking of "The Amazing Race" and all the strange things that they have to eat on there. Don't think I could do it.
Next was south down to the traditional site of Peter's house. There had been a church built over it and lots of excavations of villagers' homes. 
Further south is the White Chapel that honors the area that the Catholics recognize as the place that Peter was named as the first Pope. Lots more excavated stones from various sources.
We then visited a museum that houses the "Jesus Boat" This first century boat was discovered in 1986 in the Sea of Galilee by a couple of fishermen. The lake level was low due to severe drought. The boat was carefully extracted and is now on display here. 
Finally, we boarded a tour boat to ride on the Sea of Galilee. This was a perfect ending to a long day. The weather has been fabulous and the ride very calming. One of our boat guides cast out a net. Caught nothing on the first time. So of course was encouraged to cast it on the other side. He did. And caught a tiny tilapia. Threw it back.
Dinner buffet at the hotel again and another evening with most of our group catching up on Facebook and emails. What did we do before all this technology?
Anyway--tomorrow includes a visit to Little Nazareth and Baptizing in the Jordan. Can't wait!
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