Part 2

Finding adventure with the flavor of the history of faith in Israel

Israel continues to attract tourists because it is known as the Holy Land. For Christians, Israel is where they celebrate their faith by visiting the birthplace of Jesus Christ, walking where He preached, sitting, and just watching modern-day scenes roll out along the sites mentioned in the Holy Bible.

For the curious traveler, Israel is also the land of adventure with the flavor of a 2,000-year-old history of faith. Go deeper than just appreciating the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water and calmed the waves. There’s a replica of the boat Jesus rode that is available to tourists. Or row a boat along a 1,300-year-old underground water reservoir. And then, lie on your back and enjoy a unique “swim” in the Dead Sea.

The Sea of Galilee, Tiberias

One hundred twelve kilometers north of Tel Aviv is Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee where you can ride a boat and brave the strong waves – a sure highlight of your trip! While it is actually a lake, the Sea of Galilee is where Jesus is said to have walked on water.

The boat ride starts from the restaurant-lined waterfront of the Yigal Allon Promenade marina. We rode a boat after dinner at Decks Restaurant. It was not smooth sailing, but, thankfully, no monster storm or waves happened that night like the ones Jesus calmed according to the Bible.

The boat we rode is a replica of the one Jesus had ridden; this one is just reinforced with fiberglass. The cushion in the stern where Jesus slept during the commotion is also missing. According to the boat owner, this boat was a replica of a boat, or at least its remnants, locals found at the bottom of the lake. When they carbon-dated it, they found it was around 2,000 years old, prompting them to believe that it was the actual boat Jesus road. This boat is displayed at a nearby museum.

The Pool of Arches, Ramla

The Old City of Ramla gives paddling a boat a twist. Ramla, whose name originated from the Arabic word for "sand," is the only town in Israel founded by Muslims. It is a 25-minute car ride from Tel Aviv.

"The Phantom of the Opera" fans would enjoy going to this city's Pool of Arches as this attraction offers rowing boats underneath pointed arches, much like how one would imagine the way to the Phantom's lair. The place had good acoustics, making it an ideal spot to vocalize. Since it is underground, the Pool of Arches offers quite a refreshing experience after walking under the scorching sun above the ground.

This 1,300-year-old underground water reservoir is also the most significant building left when the Abbasid caliphs ruled Israel.

While in Ramla, visit its vibrant market where the scent of spice and freshly baked pastries will surely tickle one’s sensation. Here, you can enjoy some spinach and potato bourekas, and gulp some lemonade to keep yourself hydrated on a 33-degree-Celcius day.

The Judean Desert

At the center of Israel is the Judean Desert – a 1,500-square-kilometer desert with nature reserves, historical sites, monasteries, army bases, and breathtaking panoramas.

Rent a jeep to speed across the Judean Desert. In our case, Israel's Ministry of Tourism arranged for a Toyota Land Cruiser so we could enjoy the bumpy hour-long ride in the comfort of a cool cabin.

We stopped to admire the Mar Saba Monastery, a Greek Orthodox monastery founded by Saint Sabbas in 483. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world. The majestic structure was constructed beside a cliff as a means to protect the occupants from bandits. Every afternoon of December 17 until the following morning, the Festival of Lights would be held here where the walls of the monastery are adorned with a thousand candlelights. Monks welcome pilgrims with homemade bread and sweet wine during the festival.

Take time to ride a camel. The 10-minute ride is exciting, especially the part where the camels, tied to one another, walked through a narrow path just at the edge of a steep hill. I had to grab the metal bar in front of me to shift my weight to avoid tipping the camel to one side. The thought that if my camel loses its balance and falls off the cliff I would be bringing the other three with me was scary – but in the end, I should have trusted the sure-footed camels who were guided by instinct and experience.

The journey over a rocky trail was an experience worth the fear. In addition, I am now a professionally trained camel rider, according to a card they gave us.

The Dead Sea

One of the events I looked forward to the most was the visit to the Dead Sea, a salt lake that borders Israel and Jordan and is also the lowest place on Earth. It is called the Dead Sea because no living organism can survive here because of the salinity.

Due to the amount of salt, people can easily float in the Dead Sea. I was mesmerized by the experience. I forgot the scorching heat. The water and the mud were soothing, I floated on my back effortlessly, cradled by the calm water.

The Dead Sea is said to help the healing of wounds and stimulate greater circulation. The chemicals and minerals in its mud help improve psoriasis, reduce skin impurities, relieve arthritis, soothe back pain, and treat acne, among others. This is why skin products like soap, lotion, and masks are hit souvenirs, albeit pricey.

Despite the many benefits of its water, there are many things one should not do there. Don’t drink the water. Don’t open your eyes to keep the water from getting inside. Splashing around inside the water is prohibited. Diving head first or lying on your stomach is also not allowed. People with heart conditions and pregnant women are discouraged from going into the Dead Sea.

With its diverse landscapes and revered sites, Israel is a very dynamic country that offers a remarkable experience. Truly, a trip here is one for the books. So wear your most comfortable shoes and enjoy an adventure, coupled with 2,000 years of history of faith.