Bethlehem, Church Of The Nativity

Sadly our visit to Bethlehem came at the end of a very bust day and it was already getting late when we arrived there. Manger Square was heaving with coaches, as you would expect at the supposed birth place of Jesus Christ. The interior of the church was far too dark for video which is why I have no footage of the actual 'spot' where the manger is said to have stood. The thing about most of the Christian places is they are highly unlikely to have been the 'real spots'. Instead they have become associated with events in the life of Christ way after his death. However, these places are still very special because of the weight of history behind them.

Flight Over Jerusalem

One of the highlights of our 6 days was when we chartered a light aircraft to takes us on a flight over Israel, not just Jerusalem. Although the city has no large airport is does have a small airfield from which small planes can operate. That's where we chartered this from. The pilot gave us a great view of Jeruslalem from the air then went over the Dead Sea, over Masada and back to Jerusalem.

Yad Vashem - The Holocaust

I first found out about the Holocaust at around the age of ten years and it is a theme which has hanuted me ever since. Of all the episodes in human history, for me, The Shoah stands out as one of the most despicable, evil and wicked acts of barbarism ever committed by one group of people upon another.
That 6 million Jews could be rounded up, suffer inhuman degredation on a monumental scale, then hideously murdered in the gas chambers really beggars belief.
How was it possible for the Nazi regime to stoke up ancient hatreds and prejudices so as to create an overtly racist state with official policies designed to root out and destroy a section of its own population based on race alone?
The fact that it DID happen must never be forgotten by humanity since the fragile 'crust' we call decent, civilised behaviour can easily be broken again so that history repeats itself.
To my mind, The Holocaust is the end game of all unchecked racism, hatred of minorities and persecution which takes place to this day right across the world.

On our visit to Jerusalem is was therefore essential to visit Yad Vashem, the official Shoah memorial site in Israel. I'll never forget how everyone just went almost silent upon arrival at the site. People followed the route around, looked at the photos etc. in total respect. I could never manage a visit to Auschwitz itself.

Down To Gethsemene

The Garden Of Gethsemene is the spot associated with the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot. Judas identified Christ to the Romans by a kiss.

Jerusalem From The Mount Of Olives

The best views of Jerusalem are from the Mount Of Olives. From the vantage point you can see the entire city in all its magnificence. The largest Jewish cemetery in the world is found here since those within sight of the Ancient City will be the first raised on The Day Of Judgment.

'King David' Harpist On The Temple Mount

What a lovely touch to find this man dressed as King David playing his harp and singing songs of peace in many languages. This was extremely atmospheric in the context of it being in Jerusalem.

Visiting The Dome Of The Rock

One of my highlights of the entire Jerusalem trip was to walk up to Temple Mount and into the harem precinct containing The Aqsa Mosque and The Dome Of The Rock. It was to this place that Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad (saw) made his Night Journey from Makkah and up into heaven (Al Isra Wal Miraj).