Ashdod

 Ashdod

Ashdod is the sixth-largest city in Israel. Located in the country's Southern District, it lies on the Mediterranean coast 32 kilometres south of Tel Aviv and 20 km north of Ashkelon.

Ashdod is one of the most important industrial centers in Israel. All industrial activities in the city are located in northern areas such as the port area, the northern industrial zone, and around the Lachish River. The port of Ashdod is the largest port in Israel, handling about 60% of Israel's port cargo.

Strategically located along the Mediterranean Sea coast, the Ashdod Cruise Terminal is the gateway to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Holy Land.

Being a Christian and having heard and read about these places I decided that this was an excursion not to be missed. Of course safety is a concern because this area of the world is always a site of turmoil. I shall trust the judgement of Princess Cruise lines.

The excursion we choose :

A GLIMPSE OF JERUSALEM: MT. OLIVES. VIA DOLOROSA. CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCRE AND BAZZAR:

Set off on a guided excursion via air conditioned motorcoach to experience the best of Jerusalem. Enjoy a photo stop at Mount Scopus or Olives which offers awe inspiring views of the Kidron Valley and the beautiful walled Holy City. Walk through the Arab Market which sprawls across the Christian and Moslem quarters in Jerusalem's old city. Walk along part of the Via Dolorsa, the narrow , cobbled road that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, to Golgotha where he was crucified. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the 12th century church believed to enshrine the sites of Jesus's crucifixion, entombment and resurrection. The tour ends in the Jewish Quarter , the oldest quarter in Jerusalem, and take in the majestic wonder of the Western Wall or Wailing Wall. Part of the Temple Mount foundation erected by Herod the Great and destroyed by Rome in 70 A.D. This massive wall is the most sacred Jewish site in Jerusalem.

Our day began early, 5:30 in fact. Looking out we discover that we are indeed in a working port. There is lots of activity and workers and equipment very evident. Here is what was outside our balcony.

We gathered in the Princess Theatre and soon it was our turn to go through immigration. It was easy and quick.

Then we were off to our bus. Again it was new and air conditioned. Our guide passed out earphones and an amplifier. We were pleased to see those but it turned out to not be such a treat after all. They did not work most of the time.

The trip into Jerusalem was about an hour and a half because of the heavy traffic. During that time the guide told us about some of the history of the city and what our day might entail. Her bias was obvious which was to be expected. It is a bright, beautiful, busy city, so the time passed quickly.

We enjoyed the photo stop to view the mount of Olives and the old walled city.

We proceeded to the old walled city. Here the bus left and we walked. Our first stop was to visit the western wall or the Wailing wall. This is all that is left of the old city walls and is a very special place for members of the Jewish faith. Monday is a day that Bar Mitzvah celebration take place so there were crowds of people, some marching, some singing, some playing drums and horns. It was unbelievably chaotic.

This was a rest stop and then we headed out to continue our tour

 WE went through a market which was quite large and had various items for sale. Because of the crowds we dared not stop because if we did we would lose sight of our guide. She was not tall and her sign was difficult to see. Besides that her speaker system was not working. As we passed I saw several items that would make lovely tree decorations. Unfortunately the place where we did stop was not good for that at all. The things here were quite high end and the sales people was quite aggressive. I left that store and went a few doors down and I found something that will work but it is not as nice as what we saw earlier.

 The markets and the Via Dolorosa blended into one . The stations of the cross were marked by small sculptured plaques on the sides of the buildings.

 This area was VERY narrow and it went up hill and down hill and it was paved with a kind of marble which was quite slippery. I certainly was glad that it was not raining. It would have been so easy to slip and fall on this.

It was so very narrow and there were hundreds of people going in both directions. In the midst of this every now and then a small car would be thrown into the mix. At one point soldiers carrying machine guns were also running through this chaos. 

At this point we were taken to a small eatery where we had lunch. We had 3 menu choices and the food was very good. Ken and I had the chicken meals and the cost including tip was 40 dollars US.

Our next stop was a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is a 12th century church believed to enshrine the sites of Jesus's crucifixion, the entombment, and resurrection.

This is a magnificent structure with many beautiful sites. There were hundreds of people everywhere you looked.

After gathering there we headed back to the area where we would meet the bus. It was about a ten minute walk. An unusual site was cars parked on the sidewalk. There were so many that I am sure it is a usual occurrence.

Most of us nodded off on the return trip to Ashdod.

Summary:

Did I enjoy the day?.....not really

Were the sites inspiring/?....no

Was there an air is mysticism?.....no

Was there evidence of reversence?...no

Would I return?....not likely

Am I sorry I went? .. in a way ..Yes

I have heard about this area of the world since I was just a child, so for almost 75 years it has held a very special place in my heart. Now when I think of the Holy City I will remember the noise, the confusion, the vendors hawking their wares, and the general chaos. I was VERY disappointed!

What offended me the most was the way the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was treated. In a Mosque there are rules, in a Synagogue there are rules but the Christian Holy place had no rules. People were not silent, people did not dress properly, men wore hats everywhere and women dressed in what could be beach clothes. There were no rules for the Christian church, it was not given the same respect and reverence of other holy places.

Post Script;

When we returned to the ship there were no immigration people checking documents. This was not usual and we wondered why. I gather we were caught up in that rebellion. The immigration people were on strike as was most of the country. There were demonstrations and traffic tie ups almost everywhere. Fortunately for us they were not happening where we were when we were there.

The ship was late leaving the port because there was an absence of shore workers to allow us to sail.

Some of the excursions were shortened because of fear of not being able to get the passengers back to the port.

I was also told that yesterday was a quiet day because there was only one ship in port. The chaos and confusion is a lot worse when several ships were in port.

Our Day transiting The Suez Canal

I did not really know how to cover this and the next few days so I have decided to give you our impression and post a bunch of pictures and follow that with some of the information given to us by Princess and some of the research I have done. 

First of all we began our transit around five o'clock this morning. We arrived last evening and when spots in the convoy were assigned we were given the lead. In some of the pictures you can see ships behind us.

I don't know what pre-conceived ideas I had but it was not what we saw. Mainly the Suez Canal is a big ditch running through sand. Never have I seen so much sand.

But also there are newer modern cities along the canal. Many apartment buildings and mosques.

The call to prayer can be heard all along the canal. The area is steeped in so much history. People have been fighting over this ditch for centuries.

It took almost 12 hours to pass through the canal which I did not expect.

I did not expect to see sculptures and monuments to the builders.

I did not expect to see bridges where you could cross the canal. I don't know why I didn't expect this but I didn't

I don't think I expected to see beautiful clear water. Perhaps I expected it to be sandy.

The day began very cool. I wore my jacket and later it warmed up which was more like I expected it to be.

That was what I expected, this is what it actually is.!!!

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The 193.30 km long canal is a popular trade route between Europe and Asia. 

The Suez Canal is an open cut, without locks, and, though extensive straight lengths occur, there are eight major bends. To the west of the canal is the low-lying delta of the Nile River, and to the east is the higher, rugged, and arid Sinai Peninsula.

The Suez Canal is important because it is the shortest maritime route from Europe to Asia. Prior to its construction, ships headed toward Asia had to embark on an arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa. Because of its strategic location, the canal is both heavily used and heavily protected.

The canal has 13 curves and has a depth of 60 feet. 10% of the world's shipping passes through the Suez. The trip around the Cape of Good Hope is 12,300 kl vs. 7,200 kl using the canal.

Since its completion in 1869, it has become one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes.

Aqaba

Aqaba

City in Jordan

Description

Welcome to Aqaba, a city steeped in a rich history that dates back to pre-biblical times. Ruled by the Romans, Mamluks, and Ottomans, Aqaba was an important trading port in the region. With its amazing history, culture, seaside resorts, 

Aqaba is a Jordanian port city on the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba. Inhabited since 4000 B.C., it's home to the Islamic-era Aqaba Fort. Its beach resorts are popular for windsurfing and other water sports, and the area is a top destination for scuba divers, with notable dive sites including the Yamanieh coral reef in the Aqaba Marine Park, south of the city. ―

This is the place where cruisers get to travel to Petra.Petra is an amazing place, one of the seven wonders of the world. It has been the lost city for good reason. For hundreds of years its existence was unknown . However getting there is not easy and not for OLDER folks.  Here is what the tour description says :

Special Note: This is a strenuous walking tour and is recommended only for passengers who are physically fit. It is approximately a half mile walk from the entrance to the site to the beginning of the narrow gorge called the Siq. From there all must walk approximately another 5-6 miles through the Siq and enter into the city ruins returning along the same path. Shade is limited, please dress accordingly.Wear light clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

Decision Made!!!

There have been many documentaries made about this place and part of the Movie Raiders of the Lost Arc was filmed there. So we have decided to watch the films and take a different excursion.

We are going to Relax At Movenpick Beach Resort .

We will spend some time on a private beach in Aqaba at the luxious Movenpick Resort. Relax at the beach by the Red Sea or enjoy this 5 star resorts swimming pools, jacuzzi, a sauna and a whirlpool. There is a roomy sun terrace and an outdoor restaurant. There are several other activities if we are interested . We leave the ship at 10:00 and return at 3:30

The Island Princess arrived in the port at around 7:00. I am dismayed at how desolate this area looks. It is hard to understand why civilization ever started here. Why was this part of the world called the Promised Land??

We made our way to the Explorers Lounge to wait until we were called to go to immigration.

The immigration process was quick and easy, we were through in minutes. Next we walked through the terminal and just before we exited there was a stand selling souvenirs. There is the very front were items that would make wonderful tree decorations. I stopped and asked if he would be there later in the day. He replied that he would be there until the ship left. So now I knew I could get my ornament there when we returned at four.

The bus was new and well air conditioned and we left as soon as all of the ticket holders had arrived. The drive from the port to the resort was only about 12 minutes long. There was no commentary along the way which was a disappointment. This is a beautiful modern city, it would have been nice to learn more about it and the culture.

We arrived at Movenpick Beach Resort and were immediately impressed by the opulence, but where is the beach. Wasn't this supposed to be a beach day? We were stopped in the city??

We went inside and it was equally grand.

The person who was supposed to be our guide acquired tickets and we were each given a card. Then we were told to follow him. We followed him through a maze of hallways and flights of stairs and corridors each turn taking us down. These areas were beautifully landscaped with waterfalls and pools and gardens.

 We rounded a path and much to our surprise there was the Red Sea. We were at the beach after all. There was a sandy beach , a very nice restaurant , lots of lounge chairs complete with umbrellas and small tables.

On arrival our tickets were taken from us and we were given a bottle of cold water and a towel. No other explanation was given.

We walked along the beach and chose two loungers and a table. One lounger in the shade and one in the sun. The view was spectacular, you would never have known we were in the middle of the city.

I went to the change room to get into my swim suit. This area was not as special as the rest of the resort but it was adequate.

We spent the next 2 hours getting into and out of the water and enjoying the sea and the sun and the scenery. I continue to be amazed at how desolate the undeveloped areas are. Mountains with different shades of beige and brown and rust are barren with not one sign of life. This would make a startling painting.

Around noon we headed from the beach to the wonderful outside eatery. We asked for a menu and surprised the waiter when we told him we needed a paper menu because we could not access the QR code menu.

We decided to just order a cold drink and to share a plate of fries. We did not have local currency and had no idea of the exchange rate. Ken paid with his cc and the final bill in Canadian currency was just over 20 dollars. The drink we chose was Pepsi , diet and regular. It was interesting to see the Arabic script on those blue and red cans. The fries were the slim ones and they were cooked perfectly. We both really enjoyed this snack which is not normal for us. But the fries were perfectly cooked and were not at all greasy.

After lunch we moved to the pool just on the other side of the restaurant. Again there were lots of loungers and the area was beautifully landscaped. Around the pool were the suites to be rented. They seemed to be very attractive and from the placement of the windows it appeared as if each suite had 2 levels. Beautiful mature palm trees dotted the court yard. I was wondering if they were date palms based on what appeared to be blossoms. 

Spring is in the air and the doves were courting and calling to each other. It was so special and so relaxing.

The water in the pool was quite cool to say the least. We were told that there was a warmer pool but no one ever told us where it was.

Soon it was time to pack up and get ready to leave this amazing resort. We were to meet at 3:30 and it was almost three. We gathered our things and headed out. There was no signage and basically we had to try to remember what was familiar. At one point we felt as if we got turned around and had to ask for help. During this we came across the inside pool and the hot tubs and other amenities that we were supposed to have access to but were never informed about.

We arrived at the bus about 3:12 and there were many people on the bus already. We would learn that many passengers believed that departure was supposed to have been at three and they were upset that the bus had not left. One person actually suggested that the bus should leave without the missing guests. Why they did not read the note that Princess gave all of us informing us of the 3:30 departure or listen to the guide when he informed everyone that he would return at 3:30. The last person arrived at 3:27 and we left at exactly 3:30. When departing the bus I overheard one passenger berating the guide for the fact that the departure time was confusing. He did not read and he did not listen and it was someone else's fault.

Taking responsibility for your actions is almost a new concept.

I spoke to the guide and told him that I knew the departure was 3:30 and he thanked me for the kind words.

We departed the bus at the port and that stall was still open so I was able to get 2 possible ornaments. One is actually a key ring and one is a magnet but they will work perfectly.

The evening entertainment was a folkloric show featuring a band named The Demankas Band. It was a group of 6 men, three of the men sang, 2 played drums and 2 played stringed instruments. Later a synthesizer was played. I can't say that I enjoyed it but part of it was the fact that we were never told anything about the instruments or the songs or the traditions. All of it was in Arabic with no English at all. Many people left before the end of the show.

We sat out on the balcony for a little while and then called it a night.

Tomorrow is scenic cruising on the way to Suez. Also we are meeting with Ken and Julia for lunch and it is Duck Day.

I just learned that tomorrow night the entertainer is Carlos Oscar. He is by far our favorite comedian and we were hoping to see him on this cruise.