Hoefling Exodus Tour 11/7/07
http://picasaweb.google.com/rambopreacher/Exodus117
Wednesday, November 7
Visit Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine Monastery. Take ferry to Jordan and overnight in Petra.
Taybet Zaman
Wadi Mousa, Petra, Jordan
6:30 wakeup call; 7:00 breakfast, 8:00 start
Our first trek today was to the monastery of St. Catherine (http://www.touregypt.net/Catherines.htm). St. Catherine (Katrin) was beaten to death trying to bring Christianity to Egypt. Her remains were said to be carried by angels to this location, and her remains are buried in the church. This location was a Christian stronghold in the 6th century through the Crusades. St. Catherine’s is now best known for the illuminated texts and icons held in its museum and library. Many of its holdings are gifts from the early centuries AD.
This is also the historical location of God appearing in the burning bush to Moses, a plant that regenerates itself for many years. The Mountains of Sinai are also were Moses received the 10 Commandments. (This is a mountain range, rather than one specific mountain).
Brent was wearing shorts today, and was not able to enter the temple because his knees were showing. He climbed the mountain outside the monastery, and took pictures looking into the grounds.
We left the monastery by 11:15, so we could arrive at the docks in time to catch the 2:00 ferry to Jordan. You have to be checked in at least two hours prior to departure to make the trip. When we arrived at noon, we were told the ferry had mechanical problems, and would leave at 3:00. We went to a restaurant on the Red Sea for lunch and a walk along the shore – a great break and beautiful location. The sea was so blue and clam and warm. Brent enjoyed wading through the water and picking sea shells and rocks. The camel riders and jewelry sellers were right on the shore with us – inside the hotels has been the only place we haven’t seen them.
By 1:30, we were back at the dock to clear immigration and to await the ferry – and await - and await. The last ferry came in at 6:00, loaded by 8:30, and arrived in Jordan at 9:30.
You know, when Kaylene talks about foreign transportation systems, it seems funny when she is so upset about everything being late. I total understand her frustration now. Although we docked at 9:30, they did not start unloading the passengers until 10:30. WE loaded the bus, drove ¾ mile, and unloaded the bus for immigration check through. It was 1:00 a.m. before we were on the road to Petra, and 2:00 before we were checked into our rooms. We all were very thankful to make it to the hotel tonight. Unfortunately, this was also the day we needed to get up early for our tours. Three hours of much needed sleep tonight.
My Notes:
The Sinai mounts are beautiful. being from Iowa, mountains are not something we get to see or enjoy. :)
When we went to St. Katharine's Monastery, I didn't go in, since I was wearing shorts, and I wasn't warned that wearing shorts is not allowed. I took lots of pictures as I climbed the cliff area next to the Monastery to get a better view of the area and the trails they used to go up the mountain.
I suggest that when looking at the pictures that you also look using the map view. the region is incredible, thinking about trying to manage a small group of a couple million or so people through a land like this, and having them camp and live.
when we went to the port at Newibia to cross the red sea (Persian gulf side) on a ferry as part of our Exodus tour, we had to hurry and wait ( a couple times :) ) something I will not soon forget. In any case, it did give us a chance to relax by the red sea. I had picked up a few sea shells, and was able to go wading in the water, that was not even cool, in fact the water was warm. we got to see someone go out a ways further down the coast and was working on his nets in the water. I thought he was fishing, but it appeared that he was repairing the net in the water to help make it more maneuverable, I suppose.
we went back and after waiting a long time and going through customs, we got on the ferry and made the journey crossing the red sea. I didn't get to take pictures of this as it was late at night by now and I wasn't allowed to go out of the inside of the boat to take pictures anyway.
Wednesday, November 7
Visit Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine Monastery. Take ferry to Jordan and overnight in Petra.
Taybet Zaman
Wadi Mousa, Petra, Jordan
6:30 wakeup call; 7:00 breakfast, 8:00 start
Our first trek today was to the monastery of St. Catherine (http://www.touregypt.net/Catherines.htm). St. Catherine (Katrin) was beaten to death trying to bring Christianity to Egypt. Her remains were said to be carried by angels to this location, and her remains are buried in the church. This location was a Christian stronghold in the 6th century through the Crusades. St. Catherine’s is now best known for the illuminated texts and icons held in its museum and library. Many of its holdings are gifts from the early centuries AD.
This is also the historical location of God appearing in the burning bush to Moses, a plant that regenerates itself for many years. The Mountains of Sinai are also were Moses received the 10 Commandments. (This is a mountain range, rather than one specific mountain).
Brent was wearing shorts today, and was not able to enter the temple because his knees were showing. He climbed the mountain outside the monastery, and took pictures looking into the grounds.
We left the monastery by 11:15, so we could arrive at the docks in time to catch the 2:00 ferry to Jordan. You have to be checked in at least two hours prior to departure to make the trip. When we arrived at noon, we were told the ferry had mechanical problems, and would leave at 3:00. We went to a restaurant on the Red Sea for lunch and a walk along the shore – a great break and beautiful location. The sea was so blue and clam and warm. Brent enjoyed wading through the water and picking sea shells and rocks. The camel riders and jewelry sellers were right on the shore with us – inside the hotels has been the only place we haven’t seen them.
By 1:30, we were back at the dock to clear immigration and to await the ferry – and await - and await. The last ferry came in at 6:00, loaded by 8:30, and arrived in Jordan at 9:30.
You know, when Kaylene talks about foreign transportation systems, it seems funny when she is so upset about everything being late. I total understand her frustration now. Although we docked at 9:30, they did not start unloading the passengers until 10:30. WE loaded the bus, drove ¾ mile, and unloaded the bus for immigration check through. It was 1:00 a.m. before we were on the road to Petra, and 2:00 before we were checked into our rooms. We all were very thankful to make it to the hotel tonight. Unfortunately, this was also the day we needed to get up early for our tours. Three hours of much needed sleep tonight.
My Notes:
The Sinai mounts are beautiful. being from Iowa, mountains are not something we get to see or enjoy. :)
When we went to St. Katharine's Monastery, I didn't go in, since I was wearing shorts, and I wasn't warned that wearing shorts is not allowed. I took lots of pictures as I climbed the cliff area next to the Monastery to get a better view of the area and the trails they used to go up the mountain.
I suggest that when looking at the pictures that you also look using the map view. the region is incredible, thinking about trying to manage a small group of a couple million or so people through a land like this, and having them camp and live.
when we went to the port at Newibia to cross the red sea (Persian gulf side) on a ferry as part of our Exodus tour, we had to hurry and wait ( a couple times :) ) something I will not soon forget. In any case, it did give us a chance to relax by the red sea. I had picked up a few sea shells, and was able to go wading in the water, that was not even cool, in fact the water was warm. we got to see someone go out a ways further down the coast and was working on his nets in the water. I thought he was fishing, but it appeared that he was repairing the net in the water to help make it more maneuverable, I suppose.
we went back and after waiting a long time and going through customs, we got on the ferry and made the journey crossing the red sea. I didn't get to take pictures of this as it was late at night by now and I wasn't allowed to go out of the inside of the boat to take pictures anyway.
posted by RamboPreacher | 7:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home