Ma'nishma everyone! That's a Hebrew greeting asking how are you by the way. It's been a while since I last posted an article about travel. I have not been feeling the inspiration to write lately, so I have been a bit lazy.
During our trip in 2010, a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee was not included in the itinerary. That's why each trip was unique in each own because there were places we visited last time, and there were also places that we did not. One of those things was the boat ride.
The boats are designed somewhat to 'look' like the boats during the time of Jesus. But of course no one really knows what the boats looked like at the time, so they are just wooden boats and designed to hold a lot of people for cruising. The picture above is what the boats look like.
We were a group of 28 people that traveled, and again it's a mix of several nationalities from all over the world, coming from the same church, save for some friends and family members of those joining. Of course we had to take a picture before boarding.
Once we were sailing, our guide, Harrison, who is behind me, asked if I wanted to try being the captain of the boat for a while. Who would pass up that opportunity? Definitely not me! I immediately ran up to the deck and had control of the boat for a little while. :-)
Meanwhile. every one was busy taking pictures, enjoying the scenery around us. Just imagine Jesus and His disciples sailing in one of these boats, and then suddenly a storm would toss the boat ferociously as recounted in several instances in the bible.
And yes, this is the very same Sea of Galilee that He and His disciples sailed on. This is the same lake the Apostle Peter walked on when he dared walk on the water at the invitation of Jesus.
I cannot remember how long we sailed, but during that time, we sang songs, we took pictures, and we also shopped for souvenirs that the captain had with him. It was definitely a time to cherish.
I was the youngest one in the group and I wanted to try doing the Titanic pose but I was too shy so I just had to do with this, ha ha. It sure was fun sailing in the calm waters of the lake.
We also had fun just relaxing while cruising, and also had fun singing Hebrew songs, and I had fun leading everyone in the singing, to the delight of our Jewish hosts.
Here's a better picture of me playing captain for a few minutes. We were there in November but the weather was still quite warm that day so it was perfect for sailing.
I took so many pictures. It was during this trip that the guide asked me just how many photo albums I had at home. I was clicking away with my camera. Good thing I was no longer using a film camera by this time.
Who would not have a nice time when you're sailing in this calm environment? And what kind of winds are the easterlies, the ones that cause the sudden storms?
These waves were caused by the boat. Imagine how big the waves were when it threatened to capsize the boat that Jesus was riding in with his disciples when there was a sudden storm as told in Matthew 8 verses 23-27.
All I could think of while riding were the instances in the bible where they were in the boat, or when Jesus was teaching a multitude of people and since there were so many, he had to get on a boat and teach from the waters and they could hear His voice clearly without any microphones during that time!
After sailing, we visited other places like Capernaum which was the village of Jesus during his adult life, and we also went to a place called Tabgha, where the Church of Primacy is located, which is believed to have been the site where Jesus reinstated Peter as the leader of the apostles after Peter denied Him three times during His trial.
Beside the church is a pathway where we can go to the shore of the Sea of Galilee and we all ran to dip our hands in the water and pick up some pebbles as souvenirs.
We surely had fun making all these memories, and our friendships grew deeper with our shared experiences.
As I look at these pictures, how I wish I could go back there again. Perhaps one of these days.
We took pictures until dusk and then we had to leave and go somewhere else.
Here's the Sea of Galilee for you and hope I get inspired to write some more in the coming days until I travel to new places in the next few months.
For more travel articles, you can go to this page.
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