These are some photo’s I took on my recent visit to Israel, we had a day tour to the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan and finishing in the City of Nazareth. I’ll post more soon.
The Jordan River is considered to be one of the world’s most sacred rivers. It originates approximately 200 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mt. Hermon, Israel. It ends its course at the lowest spot in the world , the Dead Sea , at 420 meters below sea level. Along its course, the Jordan feeds two lakes: the Hula (now almost completely drained) and the Sea of Galilee.
I decided to have a little paddle myself.
I’m glad I didn’t see these Cat fish until after my paddle.
Even scarier was this thing, I don’t know what it is but check out its webbed feet, actually looking at it now, it’s pretty cool.
Mark Twain
In 1867 a local San Francisco newspaper funded a trip to the Mediterranean for Mark Twain. During his tour to Europe and the Middle East, he wrote a popular collection of travel letters which were compiled into a book called ‘The Innocents Abroad in 1869. These were his impressions of the Jordan River:
“With the first suspicion of dawn every pilgrim took off his clothes and waded into the dark torrent, singing
‘On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand
and cast a wistful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy landWhere my possessions lie’
But they did not sing long. The water was so fearfully cold that they were obliged to stop singing and scamper out again”
What in the world is that thing?! Wait.. is that a Nutria? I heard some people have taken to eating these things because these are such a pest to the local river fauna in places they don’t belong.
Yeah it sure is weird, I wouldn’t fancy eating one.
Cool series of images Mark. Always nice to see images of places you’ve always heard about.
Thanks Len
Good Stuff Mark!
Thanks Papa
Wonderful images. We have been to the Dead Sea, but the fauna didn’t look anything like this! In fact i doubt much survives the salinity there!
Wouldn’t fancy eating that either eew!
Thanks Madhu, this was along way before it got to the black sea so a bit greener, and yeah I wouldn’t have that on my menu.
That’s the same otter I saw…I swear it…..
Memories, memories, of a great day out.
I’m subscribing to your posts. Looking forward to much enjoyment.
Thanks for that, I hope you enjoy them too.
I am sure I will. I’m going to have a look at my Israel trip pix later on, just to make a wee comparison.