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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Israel - Masada, Dead Sea, Haifa tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Israel - Masada, Dead Sea, Haifa

Visited Masada, Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Scheduled for 3 days, with 2 in Haifa and 1 in Ashdod. But Israel decided to PCR test everyone on board & we were told it would take 6 - 8 hours to clear the ship to let anyone off. It took more time that that, so it was basically a lost day unless people wanted to go for some nightlife in Haifa. At 5:15 Bahai Gardens were closed. Akko wasn't far by train, but we didn't know closing hours, so we just stayed on the ship when the anticipated "all clear" time passed. (Day of arrival testing requirement for cruisers has since been dropped.) We shuffled excursions to those we considered priority (Jerusalem and Masada) and went with Oceania to Masada the first day & Jerusalem the second. We had to do some things on an app & in the terminal, and receive a little boarding pass for use the next 2 days. At night the first night, the ship moved to a different dock location in Haifa, which was pretty interesting to watch. Another cruise ship was coming to Haifa and needed the port terminal for testing.

Be sure to hit the "All" button to see all pages in this Gallery, which covers Haifa dock, Masada & Dead Sea. Jerusalem/Bethlehem is covered in the next Gallery.
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Pulled into the port of Haifa around 6 AM.
Pulled into the port of Haifa around 6 AM.		 The Silo building, near the train station. No time to find the overpass from port to station & Silo area.
The "Silo" building, near the train station. No time to find the overpass from port to station & Silo area. 		We were welcomed to Gate 5, Haifa Port
We were welcomed to Gate 5, Haifa Port		 Huge menorah as we came into Haifa port during sunrise
Huge menorah as we came into Haifa port during sunrise		 Went upstairs with long lens. Port area showed a hodgepodge of things
Went upstairs with long lens. Port area showed a hodgepodge of things		 One view from the ship
One view from the ship
Modern skyscrapers by port
Modern skyscrapers by port		 Long lens picked out Bahai Gardens & shrine on hill across the way.
Long lens picked out Bahai Gardens & shrine on hill across the way.		 Train station was across way with lots of activity
Train station was across way with lots of activity		 Went to get tested in port terminal when our deck was called, then had breakfast in a happy place - the Terrace.
Went to get tested in port terminal when our deck was called, then had breakfast in a happy place - the Terrace. 		Looked outside & wondered why some crew members were lined up. (Waiting for testing/possibly allowed off ship).
Looked outside & wondered why some crew members were lined up. (Waiting for testing/possibly allowed off ship). 		We kept busy by searching for artwork on an Art Scavenger Hunt. Found this gem in Red Ginger!
We kept busy by searching for artwork on an Art Scavenger Hunt. Found this gem in Red Ginger!
Took artsy pictures and spent an hour outside on pool deck
Took artsy pictures and spent an hour outside on pool deck		 It's not like staying on the ship is that hard (teriyaki beef at Red Ginger)
It's not like staying on the ship is that hard (teriyaki beef at Red Ginger)		 Library - love the travel books, and the ceiling
Library - love the travel books, and the ceiling		 5:15 pm finally allowed off ship after Israel received test results for our 406 cruisers. A few people tested positive.
5:15 pm finally allowed off ship after Israel received test results for our 406 cruisers. A few people tested positive.		 Uh oh. The telltale sign of isolation. Around 10 cabins had this at one point or another.
Uh oh. The telltale sign of isolation. Around 10 cabins had this at one point or another.		 Hard to see, but my dessert tonight had ears!
Hard to see, but my dessert tonight had ears!
Next day set off through brown & green land to go to the hilltop fortress of Masada
Next day set off through brown & green land to go to the hilltop fortress of Masada		 1st time I've found a religious book on a tour coach!
1st time I've found a religious book on a tour coach!		 It was a long day, with a bathroom stop to and from Masada/Dead Sea area. (Room at rest stop.)
It was a long day, with a bathroom stop to and from Masada/Dead Sea area. (Room at rest stop.)		 First glimpse of Dead Sea from coach
First glimpse of Dead Sea from coach		 Possible solutions for keeping Dead Sea from losing 2 meters/year of shoreline include proposal to drill holes.
Possible solutions for keeping Dead Sea from losing 2 meters/year of shoreline include proposal to drill holes. 		Israeli signs
Israeli signs
There are 2 choices for getting to the fortress -- walk up original Snake Path or take cable car
There are 2 choices for getting to the fortress -- walk up original "Snake Path" or take cable car		 Israeli flag on top of Masada
Israeli flag on top of Masada		 After a many months' long siege, Roman fighters penetrated and overtook Jewish refugees on Masada.
After a many months' long siege, Roman fighters penetrated and overtook Jewish refugees on Masada. 		The Snake Path for walking up to top.
The Snake Path for walking up to top.		 Black line separates original untouched areas from restored areas
Black line separates original untouched areas from restored areas		 Masada is a UNESCO site. One woman was seen putting rocks from wall into backpack. Someone confronted her & she got defensive.
Masada is a UNESCO site. One woman was seen putting rocks from wall into backpack. Someone confronted her & she got defensive.
On to the Dead Sea. After lunch in hotel we went out to do some floating.
On to the Dead Sea. After lunch in hotel we went out to do some floating. 		Didn't have to go very far in the water to float. Howard took my picture.
Didn't have to go very far in the water to float. Howard took my picture.		 Salt at edge of Dead Sea. Lots and lots of salt.
Salt at edge of Dead Sea. Lots and lots of salt.		 Around 8 or 9, the ship slowly moved down to a different location on Haifa's long cruise dock.
Around 8 or 9, the ship slowly moved down to a different location on Haifa's long cruise dock.
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joseantonio04-Jun-2022 15:51
very nice gallery.V.
click on thumbnails for full image