Masada: Jewish resistance’s last stand against Romans

The first time I went on a pastor’s familiarization tour, Masada was not included. In this pilgrimage I led, Masada was included but a flash flood spoiled our plans. The Israeli tour guide said they will try again the next day. We were all so glad the electric cable car system was restored to working order. I heard so much of the last stand of the Jewish resistance, I wanted to see it myself. The fortress does look formidable and impenetrable and unreachable on the top of a steep and bare hill. The Romans surrounded and besieged them till the resistance force took their own lives. The guide said the Israeli armed forces now pledged their loyalty at the site.

Depiction of Masada on the wall of the cable car station
Depiction of Masada on the wall of the cable car station
Looking out from the entrance into Masada
Looking out from the entrance into Masada
The Dead Sea in the distance
The Dead Sea in the distance
Briefed on the various features of the fort
Briefed on the various features of the fort
Our Israeli guide was suave, handsome and speaks with an American accent
Our Israeli guide was suave, handsome and speaks with an American accent
The fort was a few football fields in size
The fort was a few football fields in size
Standing amid the quarters
Standing amid the quarters
Another view from various high spots in the fort
Another view from various high spots in the fort
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Genesis Land: welcomed by Abraham

This was an interesting experience: a camel ride and some hospitality from Abram. Great idea and fun. We rode the camels to Abrams’ tent and there he welcomed us to a meal. We were blessed.

It started with a historical and geographical sketch.
It started with a historical and geographical sketch.
Steven and Tiffany gets on their ride
Steven and Tiffany gets on their ride
Baby and Joyce
Baby and Joyce
Lay Choo and Caleb
Lay Choo and Caleb
Sumei and Ezra
Sumei and Ezra
Sam and Caleb
Sam and Caleb
It was about 15 minutes ride to Abram's tent
It was about 15 minutes ride to Abram’s tent
This was just starters. Sadly no fatted calf was included in the meal. Just Jewish chicken.
This was just starters. Sadly no fatted calf was included in the meal. Just chicken.
The desert has its own beauty
The desert has its own beauty
With my wife and sister in law.
With my wife and sister in law.
With wonderful Raffles Air tour organizers and owners Albert and Jenny.
With wonderful Raffles Air tour organizers and owners Albert and Jenny.

 

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Dead Sea fun

The Dead Sea was the fun part. This is one place in life where you simply cannot sink. We were at the beach in front of the Ahava factory and retail store. Yes we had fun shopping and we had fun plastering our bodies with black mineralized mud that would take years off our skin. Haha.

Steven and me
Steven and me: perfect poise
The ladies soaking in salt-concentrated waters.
The ladies soaking in salt-concentrated waters.
The price you have to pay to look younger.
The price you have to pay to look younger.
Jacob the masseur giving Jenny the finger treatment.
Jacob the masseur giving Jenny the finger treatment.
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Qumran community archaelogical site

We visited the remains of an ancient site of a Qumran community in a semi arid landscape. It was cool but stark. It must have been hard to live in such circumstances where water concerns were predominant and this was reflected in the architecture and the space given for cisterns. The desert made me feel alone, forlorn, quiet, meditative and reflective.

Joyce Leong and Jenny in the museum
Joyce Leong and Jenny in the museum

 

At the Qumran community ancient site
At the Qumran community ancient site
Mr and Mrs Tan Jee Lian
Mr and Mrs Tan Jee Lian
Another view from the hotel
A view from the hotel in Jericho

 

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Sea of Galilee: dancing with seagulls

We couldn’t sail on the Galilee lake on the scheduled day because of the strong winds. It wasn’t safe. That night we gathered and prayed that the unexpectedly cold weather would not sabotage the pilgrimage . The next morning it was not a particularly bright day but the sea of Galilee was sail safe and we were happy to get on board the boat. It was a very joyous moment as we saw it as God’s gracious gift and answer to our prayers. To rejoice with us the seagulls played and danced with us as we celebrated God’s faithfulness and love. A satisfying playful morning.

Looking out of the hotel balcony to the sea of Galilee.
Looking out of the hotel balcony to the sea of Galilee.
On the boat sailing out into the deep
On the boat sailing out into the deep
Seagulls came looking for their breakfast
Seagulls came looking for their breakfast
Lovely dance and play in the skies
Lovely dance and play in the skies
Seniwati and Baby
Seni and Baby
Peter and Eunice Lim
Peter and Eunice Lim
You filled our hearts with joy and our lips with laughter
You filled our hearts with joy and our lips with laughter

 

 

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