David Sokol Photography: Day 9 - Heading For Jerusalem

Luggage packed, we were out the door of Kibbutz Lavi Hotel and back on the road.

First stop was a visit to Tiberius where we spent some time at the grave of Rambam where we each lit a memorial candle.

Back on the bus, the next stop was to the largest ongoing archaeological dig in Israel, Beit Shean. We spent nearly an hour going through the site looking at the bath-house, colonnaded Roman streets, mosaic pavements and Roman performance theatre and the sports amphitheatre (where was Russell Crowe hiding?). In that hour we experienced our first shower of rain but it only lasted about 10 minutes and then the sun came back out again. We've been so lucky with the weather although it is the time of the year that the weather should be warming up and the chances of rain reducing.

From there we travelled to Beit Alpha to see the beautiful mosaic floor of the Byzantine synagogue. To stand in places that are thousands of years old is quite a strange experience considering how young Australia. And to be here on Independence Day and get the feeling of the strength of the national pride here is also something beautiful to experience.

And we saw that in full view at our next stop, the Gan Hashlosha, which located at the foot of the Gilboa mountain, the famous mountain where King Saul was killed in the battle against the Phillistines. Some of our group went for a swim in the water which they said was quite warm, and the gardens were packed with families having BBQs, teenagers playing games on the grass, lots of sound, music and laughter.

Of course the downside of today being a public holiday was that every place the tour organisers would normally use for lunch were all closed so we finished up at a roadside diner connected to a petrol station. But food is plentiful and great in Israel so we still had a huge meal at little cost.

Then it was back on the bus for the uphill drive to Jerusalem which also gave me the chance to grab an hour's sleep on the bus.

On arrival in Jerusalem we were taken straight up to Mt Scopus (which is more than just a school in Melbourne - who would have known?) where we had a group Sheyichyanu blessing. It was an intensely emotional experience for me as this whole trip has been. Uri, our guide, had some beautiful words to say to us as a group and then came over for a private l'chaim with me which almost had me lose it completely. Because I am the only person travelling alone, I've become the tour "mascot" (as well as the tour photographer, apparently) and I've really appreciated the way everyone has made sure that I'm involved in whatever is going on - not that I'm backwards in coming forwards anyway on the tour but the Americans seem to be enjoying having an Australian accent at the table.

Then we were all dropped off at our chosen hotels. For me, it's the Dan Panorama, Jerusalem, which is not quite as nice as the sister hotel in Tel-Aviv, but it might be that the room is not that big or facing a view as my room was in Tel Aviv. but it's still nice and after I unpacked (we're here for 6 nights) I set off to explore the area around the hotel. I found my way to an upmarket shopping galleria called Mamilla Mall. Wow, what a place! An outdoor corridor/arcade with shops on either side with a second level that I didn't even get to on this visit - a combination of high-priced jewellery shops and nice fashion shops, together with quite a few eating places. I chose a low-end franchise cafe called CafeCafe. I have been desperate for a decent cappuccino since I've been in Israel and tonight I had one. The cannelloni was also great but the coffee was such a welcome part of the meal.

Off to bed early tonight because the whole tour day tomorrow will be on foot.