A tourist in the room 305/405 of the Center Hotel in Tel Aviv.

Israel seems to be a paradise for good architects and rich owners.This one overlooks the sea shore inTel Aviv, like the next one.

The Center Hotel and its twin the Hotel Cinema are among some of the Bauhaus buildings that make the city of Tel Aviv proud.

One of the many tags in Tel Aviv's streets.

The tomb of Theodor Hertzl in the eponimous cemetery where all great Israelians are buried (but Ben Gurion who rests in his kibbutz).

Inside Yad Vashem in memory of the Holocaust, next to Mount Hertzl.

This and the next one are in the church of Pater Noster where the prayer is listed in all the known languages of the world, including Corse and several in Braille.

The old sought after Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery. One place may cost more than 10k USD.

One Greek orthodox church under the Mount of Olives.

The Western Wall of the former temple of Jerusalem. It's the only remains that the Jews can see as the other part is under supervision of the Arabs. This is the men part. Women are on the left separated by a wooden barricade. And they put their prayers in little papers when the find a hole to stick it in.

And this other part if the Dome of the Rock an islamic shrine.

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the traditions say that Jesus was crucified and also buried (and even Adam & Eve appeared as the first humans!). This is driving believers, but mostly superstition and business. There are few evidence to back up all the marvellous stories that should have happened in this site. Go further and look at my comment on the Garden Tomb.

One comon denominator between all cultures in jerusalem and Israel if the quality of the delucious bread that they all do.

The Damascus gate.

It's said that they washed the body of Jesus on this stone. Now there is a belief that whatever touches the stone will be sanctified. So the ladies with their piece of clothes. Or this other one who has a bunch of rosaries that she puts in contact one pack after the other: a real business.

Along the walls of the old Jerusalem.

And some pupils met during their break.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Jerusalem's old city roofs.

We told the architect that he should beware of the heat before erecting this terrasse. Alas!

View from the Garden Tomb. Although it's not so important to locate exactly where Jesus was crucified, this site is more promising that the one in the Holy Sepulchre.

This should be the tomb. Although it's probably earlier than the Jesus' period it's closer to the Bible desription than the place where everybody goes. Check this for the story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_Tomb .

Even if it is questionnable to recognize this one as the "real" one it did generate more emotion for me as I could better understand the story about the mount Golghota (skull) that what I saw in the Holy Sepulchre.

A tourist entering the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, today an occupied territory.

And before the Milk Grotto where the tradition says Mary let a drop of milk fall off her breast. Then the entire cavern had walls that became white. Ok, if tradition says.

First beach on the dead sea. Even the sunshades are dead.

Don't think that we lay on the bottom of the sea. We're actually floating! Impressive experience. But don't do like I tried and drink its water: 25% salt at minimum.

A double candid just after the salt of the sea and under the heat of the sun.

When we tell you that the dead sea is full of salt...

It's even more salty that you can figure out.

There were several stones in the like of this one along the Dead Sea.

And just to remember that we're in the middle of a country with some tensions: Mandatory stop and kind of a custom inside the country.

Masada and its cable car.

Some lost tourists.

Always Masada in the direction of the lower North palace.

The site of Masada is impressive. Make sure that you know the story. Or read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massada .

On the way to the descent.

And just to remember that we're in the middle of a country with some tensions: Mandatory stop and kind of a custom inside the country. Bis!

And after the floating exercise, the mud.

OK, there are always those who exaggerate.

If you don't believe the seriousness of this sign forbidding weapons on religious sites, check two slides afterthis one.

Rosh Pina, a village for artists. Next to the neighbour and larger Safed that we had no time to visit.

In Nazareth the largest Basilica of the entire Orient.

This and the next one for a pastries shop in Nazareth that is high in colors (and taste).

Rosh Hanikra at the border between Israel and Lebanon. We visited the grottos and enjoyed the noise of the sea penetrating the rocks.

Bahai's shrine in Acre.

A templar tunnel under Acre.

Fruits as they were omnipresent.

And a city plate. One of my obsessions.

Slaughtering lambs to prepare a meal in Acre.

Shrine of the Báb in Haifa viewed from above. Unfortunately it was not possible to visit at this time.

and it's marvellous garden.

The aqueduc in Caesarea.

Some luxurious residences. Specificall the top duplex ones.

Some add for a flea market?

The room door at the Center Hotel, one of the many Bauhaus buildings in this part of Tel Aviv.

On the way to Petra. the following pictures are all from Petra.

Playing hide and seek?

Ah, there you are!

As there are enough tombs, why not use some to start a business? Actually the Romans diverted some areas to do a theater and later on the Christians transformed a tomb into a Byzantine church.

On the way back from Petra.