Israel is honestly the most incredible place. It is so hostile and all the different cultures and religions believe they are entitled to the land. It's just crazy. As you can imagine Jerusalem is the worst of it all as the Christian, Muslims and Jews all believe the beginning of creation and the bible took place here. It is the holy city.
A picture from up on top of the Mount of Olives
Looking over into the Old City of Jerusalem.
The mosque that is built on the Foundation Stone (Where they believe Earth and Heaven met and Adam and Ever were created - the closest point to heaven you can get) Its uber sacred. The Muslims have put on mosque on it and no one else is really allowed to go near it!
The stone where the believe Jesus was laid after being on the cross.
The tomb he was laid in before he was resurrected. They also show the place where they believe Jesus was hung on the cross but it was so crowded....so I didn't go in!
The Western Wall. This is where people come to pray. It is the closest to the Foundation Stone they can get and its very sacred. People write prayers on paper and stuff it into tiny crevices in the wall. they also read the Torah and have Bah Mitsvah's here.
The Maccabiah Games opening Ceremony. For those who don't know. the Maccabiah Games are the Jewish Olympic Games. Nearly 7000 competitors from all over the world come and compete.
Awesome light show and ceremony.
Wondering around the desert near the Dead Sea. We stopped at the place where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls. Very interesting. Also where they believe John the Baptist used to do all the baptizing.
All the separate trenches are different baths.
The desert with the Dead Sea in the background.
A date oasis!
Kibbutz's are often an Oasis in the middle of nowhere. A community of people living together in a communist society. Its been working for them for years!
Oh yeah, YUMMO - Dead Sea Mud Smashing all over my Bod and Face!!!
Beautiful! Looking Uber Suave!
It's the weirdest sensation, you cant sink! The salt burns like hell. I peeled from head to toe.
Someone is loving it...it was so warm its like bath water, no sand, no waves, just salt and water.
Sunrise over the Dead Sea.
Gorgeous.
The desert....
Mitzpe Ramon, the most amazing place. We stayed in a hotel on the desert crater. Truly unbelievable.
Enjoying some time out at the pool. Look at the reflection in my glasses.
Too divine...
How lekker is this pool. It was so hot, everyday was 35 degrees with 70% humidity.
The desert. Apparently there are jackal and hyenas and buck and all sorts of creatures down there...
I'll stick to the resort, thanks!
Me and Kyle....mwah....
Love you huge!
Sunrise in the desert...
The sun is so hot and bright you can barely watch it. I've never seen anything like it.
Desert, desert and more desert...it is so barren down in the south of Israel.
Metula...where we went to watch Jason play Ice Hockey. What a violent sport!
At least USA won Silver.
Tel Aviv...what an awesome city. I absolutely loved it.
Looking out over the city. The cafe culture and night life are just awesome. It never sleeps. Plus the shwarmas and markets were fantastic!
Istanbul....the home of the Ottoman Empire, the oldest empire in the world. With Jason, Kevin, Sue and Kyle.
Me and Kyle at the Ottoman Palace.
I've never seen such decadence in my life. Truly remarkable.
The blue mosque, one of the most incredible things I've seen. Did you know that about 95% of people in Turkey are Muslim. I was shocked.
The Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
The USA entrance at the Maccabiah Games. You'll be pleased to know SA sent a few hundred Jews to play!
Breakfast at the American Colony Hotel. One of the most gorgeous hotels we stayed in in Jerusalem.
King Herald's Castle...right on the top of a mountain!
Amazing!
Oasis at the Dead Sea.
Me at the crater!
The gorgeous pool at the Beresheet Hotel in Mitzpe Ramon.
Superb!
The desert crater.
What a wonderful holiday!
The Beresheet
Buck just chilling and eating all the trees at the hotel!
The road we took to get to Metula!
Visiting Ben Gurion's grave, Israel's first Prime Minister.
Metula, visiting the vineyards. We went from the desert to lushes greenery! Pity this place is so close to the Lebanese and Syrian Border...a little scary!
Metula - at the ice rink!
Maccabiah Games - finished!
Visiting Caesaria.
Tel Aviv
Walking along the ocean front in Tel Aviv
Beautiful sunset
All the famous Jewish people that have influenced our lives some of them are Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Ann Frank etc
Tel Aviv City
Me and Kyle...
Gorgeous evening walk with the city in the background.
The old city...
Arabic Tiles that are very prevalent in Istanbul. One of these tiles is worth around $50 000.
Mother of pearl inlays on cupboards, so beautiful.
The Ottoman Sultan's Signature - Calligraphy is a big thing there!
The cisterns where they stored the city's water underground.
Medusa...facing upside down in the water, no one really knows why, but they have a few stories.
Very cool place!
Sultans Castle
Amazing gardens
and sculptures...
Me in Istanbul...
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The Spice Market in Istanbul...
yum yum Turkish Delight. We ate it until we felt sick, but it was sooooooo delicious!
Markets, bazaars and more markets...
Soap anyone?
Mosque at the train station.
What an incredible place the Middle East, so beautiful yet so harsh and full of hostility...Now I'm back in Sunny California...happy to be home!
