More pictures of the Holy Land

This cold, grotesque, gray wall put up by the authorities separates and regulates the populace. The many graffiti on the walls show the people's feeling about the authority.










This is the Lion Gate to enter into Jerusalem. It is also called St Stephen's Gate. St Stephen was dragged out of this gate and stoned to death.













These are the steps leading to Caiphas' monumental mansion. These very steps were taken by Christ when he was brought to Pontius Pilate to be sentenced.













One of the alleys leading to the Lion's Gate inside Jerusalem. The shops were not yet opened when we walked the "Way of the Cross." We were there before 7 am.

It will be very crowded when the city is up and about. You will be harassed by the vendors.









This is the Damascus Gate. The most picturesque of all the gates. (Sorrry from the reflection. It is the coach's rear mirror.)














This is the Garden of Gethsemane .The twisting and twining of the olive trees give a sad, forlorn and humbling feeling. You can imagine Christ's agony.












This is another view of Jerusalem from Mt Olive. The dark dome is the Al-aksa Mosque.













This is the long walk up the Orthodox Church's monastery.














One of the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, very desolated and barren place.













Our pilgrimage group making our way on "St Peter's boat" from Tiberias to Capernaum.

Can you spot yours sincerely and wife?
















This is the Jordan Valley, green and well cultivated. A land flows with "milk and honey."

This is ruins of a synagogue at Capernaun which could have been the one where Christ stood up and taught at.

This is the well of St Mary. It used to be the village well and also a women's institution where women of the village met and caught up with the latest news and "gossips."

This is the top portion of the Church of Nativity. Built by St Helena, Emperor Constantine's mother.
This is view of the town of Bethlehem, shot from the Bethlehem Hotel, our first stop after a long flight from KLIA, transitting at Tashkent, Ubzekisthan.