Saturday, June 25, 2005 ; 9:47:00 PM ♥
Shalom Everyone
My Journey from 13 Jun to 24 Jun
13 Jun Monday
My Journey from 13 Jun to 24 Jun
13 Jun Monday
4 Pm Assembly @ Changi Airport Terminal 2
5 Pm Check-In for our luggage. I went in to Gate F31 to report and know two new friend, Elaine and Miranda.
6.30 Pm The plane departured. I enjoyed my food in SQ68. Before arriving, my ears was in pain even before the plane ascend. The air pressure cause my ears to be in pain.
7.50 Pm We arrived @ Bangkok International Airport. We went to the transit area for interrogation. The queue was very long and we have to wait and wait and wait until our turn. Next, we have to wait again to get our boarding pass. We head on tothe restaurant to eat something. Most of the things are very expensive so I just took a coconut to drink. There are only about 10 shops in the transit area. When I checked out that there are more shop upstair, we went to shop for a while before going to the departure gate 34. We waited and waited until 12 am for the boarding gate to be opened.
14 Jun Tuesday
1 Am The plane LT82 departed.
7.40 Am We had reached Tel Aviv Airport and we went to change US to Shekels. We took our bus to our hotel.
9 Am We have reached Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel
12 Pm We took a taxi to Yehuda to shop and the cab fare was about 30 shekels. The things they they sell is either too expensive or too 'old-fashion'. E.g Just a simple keychain with some coloured stones with it only and it cost about 29 shekels which is equivalent to S$10 plus. We bought 'Falafel' to eat as we saw many people eating, so we went to try and it turn out to be very nice and most importantly. It is their signature dish. As there were nothing to buy. We went to the supermarket. We were surprise by the vegetable over there. The vegetable was quite big and cheaper then in Singapore. The vegetable cost only 0.89 shekels. The watermelon is also very big. Cool huh.... Then we head back to our hotel for our dinner.
7 Pm The food in the restaurant is ok yet not ok. The ice-cream is either too chocolatly or too sour.
8 Pm I rest for a while before watching 'From cradle to Grave' in the Animal Planet which is about the dolphine world. From birth to death. I fell asleep while waching the TV.
15 Jun Wednesday
8.56 Am Work for for breakfast. The breakfast was sumptious but some of the food was'nt nice.
11 Am We took the shuttle but to Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem but we did not go into the museum as it will cost as 40 shekels. So we took some picture outside museum.
11.30 Am We took the next shuttle bus to Jerusalem Mall for shopping. I bought a Levi's Jean from there and a T-shirt which cost about 318 shekels and later went to the food-court to eat 'Falafel'. I did eat at all as I was saving money to buy other stuff. We met another group of ours and we decided to walk to the 'Model of Ancient Jerusalem'. Had a hard time finding the place as the map made us no sense of direction. It seems near but it was hidden near the hotel and is very small. And once again, we did not go in as we felt it as a pointless place to go so we stick to our plan to go to the 'Bibical Zoo'.
4.30 Pm We took a cab to the Zoo and again we have to wait very long to get the tickets. Is about 40 shekels. it is a beautiful place. Some of the enclosure with the animal is so close roughly about 1-2cm away. E.g Giraffe, Kangaroo, Eagle and Bat. Somehow similar to our Zoo expect the enclosure.
7.00 Pm We took a cab back to hotel and was conned by 5 shekels
7.30 Pm Had our dinner
11 Pm Very tired so I slept early
16 Jun Thursday
5.30 Am Work up for my early breakfast
7 Am The bus left exactly at 7 am to Mount Of Olive. It is a place where Jesus return. We saw the tomb of the prophets Haggai & Malachi. We reached the church where Jesus cried. Next we went to the ancient Jewish Cemetery, where their family or relative use a stone or pebble to put on top of the tomb stone as a offering. We walk down towards the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a place where Jesus prayed. And also it has a beautiful garden which has a few olive trees that is more than 100 years old. Beside of it, there is a church. The pressence in the church is so strong that even without any sound or movements as they seek God in their heart. Their tears flow out. Our next destination is in the Old City and we went to the place where King David was buried. Too bad, only guys allowed. We walk down to the western wall and had my prayer written on the piece of paper. I wrote 5 of them and I hope that every single prayer I made will be done. Shortly after that, we waited at the security area before we are allowed to go into the Western Palace. And went to the underground cave where Jesus was hanged there as a prisoner. Even though the physical being is not presently there but I can feel the pain when he was being tortured and was kept to a room as we call it today 'Jail'
7 Pm Dinner was served
10 Pm Sleep
17 Jun Friday
7.30 Am Work up for breakfast. Finally can sleep a bit longer.
8.30 Am Had a morning Seminar with some Israel well-known speaker. I fell asleep when the first two speaker spoke to us. I paid attention when Pastor Ulf Ukman speak. Not I don't want to pay attention. It is really too straining for some of us.
4.30 Pm We took a cab to the Zoo and again we have to wait very long to get the tickets. Is about 40 shekels. it is a beautiful place. Some of the enclosure with the animal is so close roughly about 1-2cm away. E.g Giraffe, Kangaroo, Eagle and Bat. Somehow similar to our Zoo expect the enclosure.
7.00 Pm We took a cab back to hotel and was conned by 5 shekels
7.30 Pm Had our dinner
11 Pm Very tired so I slept early
16 Jun Thursday
5.30 Am Work up for my early breakfast
7 Am The bus left exactly at 7 am to Mount Of Olive. It is a place where Jesus return. We saw the tomb of the prophets Haggai & Malachi. We reached the church where Jesus cried. Next we went to the ancient Jewish Cemetery, where their family or relative use a stone or pebble to put on top of the tomb stone as a offering. We walk down towards the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a place where Jesus prayed. And also it has a beautiful garden which has a few olive trees that is more than 100 years old. Beside of it, there is a church. The pressence in the church is so strong that even without any sound or movements as they seek God in their heart. Their tears flow out. Our next destination is in the Old City and we went to the place where King David was buried. Too bad, only guys allowed. We walk down to the western wall and had my prayer written on the piece of paper. I wrote 5 of them and I hope that every single prayer I made will be done. Shortly after that, we waited at the security area before we are allowed to go into the Western Palace. And went to the underground cave where Jesus was hanged there as a prisoner. Even though the physical being is not presently there but I can feel the pain when he was being tortured and was kept to a room as we call it today 'Jail'
7 Pm Dinner was served
10 Pm Sleep
17 Jun Friday
7.30 Am Work up for breakfast. Finally can sleep a bit longer.
8.30 Am Had a morning Seminar with some Israel well-known speaker. I fell asleep when the first two speaker spoke to us. I paid attention when Pastor Ulf Ukman speak. Not I don't want to pay attention. It is really too straining for some of us.
1 Pm We left our hotel to Jaffa's Gate for shopping. We did not buy anything. However, Imelda and Me took Elaine and Miranda to Western Wall to have their prayer request. We cannot go anywhere as all the shops will be closing for their Sabbath Day.
5.30 Pm Had a very early dinner and a sumptious and enjoyrable dinner with one of the Pastor from Jibu
7 Pm We went to the Pavilon for Night Session with Pastor Ulf
10.30 Pm Sleep
18 Jun Saturday
7 Am Woke up for breakfast
8 Am We left the hotel to the Old City (Eastern Area) of Lion/St Steven's gate. We went to the road of suffering. There are 14 station altogether. 1st Station Jesus is condemned. 2nd Station Jesus takes up the cross. 3rd Station Jesus fall for the first time. 4th Station Jesus meets his mother. 5th Station The Cyrenean helps Jesus carry the cross. 6th Station The veil of Veronica. 7th Station Jesus fall for the second time. 8th Station Jesus consoles the crying women of Jerusalem. 9th Station Jesus fall for the third time. 10th Station Jeses is stripped of his garments. 11th Station Jesus is nailed to the cross. 12th Station Jesus dies on the cross. 13th Station Jesus is taken from the cross. 14th Station Jesus is placed in the tomb.
11 Am We went to a place nearby to have our lunch
12.02 Pm We reached Bible Sources Museum. Looking at the place where shepherd stay and took a picture of olive tree which is abour 400 years old. Followed by a walking distance to Mary's Spring. Unfortunately, the water is undrinkable. Then we head on to St John's Church and spent much of the time there as we took many group photo.
4 Pm We reached the Garden of Tomb and saw the hill which look like a skull near the Central Bus Station where cruxification took place
5.53 Pm We reached our hotel and do some packing as we are leaving our hotel
6.50 Pm SIng a few Israel Song before the dinner
7 Pm Last dinner at Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel
11 Pm Sleep
19 Jun Sunday
9 Am Last Breakfast
10.30 Am We reached Mount of Rememberance (Yad Vashem). Those who studied History before will know about this event called Holocast. On Holocast Day, all the people will come to a complete silent for 2 mins even if you are driving. Hitler who is in charge of Nazis. 1938 was the worst year for the Jews as many of the Jews must leave Germany right away as many countries is going to close the gate and are not allowed to enter. In May 1939, a ship called St Louis with 939 Jewish refugees on board. However, as they apporach the port of Havana, the cuban government refused to let the refugees come ashore. Their next attempt to enter the United States. To no avail, their failed. On June 6, as St Louis prepared to return to Germany. At the last minute, the government of the United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Holland announced their agreement to admit the refugees temporarily. However, this is no a piece of good news as they found themselves to be murdered in the course of Final Solution. It was a great experience to know World War 2. But due to time constain, I was able to view one tenth of the area.
1.13 Pm We left the place to En Gedi National Park
2.32 Pm We reached En Gedi National Park. We went to the spring and had my feet soak in the spring.
4.11 Pm We left En Gedi National Park. Thanks to Imelda treating me for the apple juice. It was great after coming out from the dessert.
5.30 Pm We have reached Bedouin Camp. One of the tribe. We went to have a camel ride after got off the bus. It was a great experience riding a camel. This is my first time riding a camel. When it first go up, we have to grab tight to it and vice versa when getting down on the camel. We got to know about the Bedouin culture and their lives over there. It was a changing experience in my life.
7.15 Pm We had our dinner and know some of the members of the same bus and they are around my age. We played the game 'Chee Wee, Chee Wee Boo Ba Ba'. Though the game was not that great but we enjoyed it very much.
9 Pm Together we had a campfire cum short night session. Once again, I saw the campfire again after my last seen in Scout time.
10.30 Pm We went to bathe and explore the night scenery. The night desert is better than the day as the scenery is better. As I am writing this in the Bedouin Camp, I was quite exhausted so I decided to sleep now and happen to see a kitten climbing on a tree. On the way back to sleep, I saw Cecilia and Sharon sitting there talking. I joined them to chat for a while before I went to sleep.
20 Jun Monday
6.30 Am Wake up for breakfast
8.03 Am We are leaving from Bedouin Camp to Masada.
8.20 Am We reached Masada (The place where last Jewish fort against the Romans). 967 Jewish mens, women and chilren kill themself before the leader kill himself. He said to the rest of them: 'It is better to kill yourself than to fall into the hands of the Romans. From there, we went to the bathhouse and to the Northern area. We walk down the snake path. Why do they called it a snake path? Because the way down is a long and winding road with many twisting here and there. Going up is easier then coming down? Don't believe? Try it. Mind you is 450 metres above sea level.
10 Am All of us accomplished our tour @ Masada. Many of them conquered their fear as they go down.
11 Am Finally, we are heading to Dead Sea. The dead sea is not dead because you can float on the water. It is because no living animal or plant can live in.
12.31 Pm We left Dead Sea to Qumran National Park
1.32 Pm We reached Qumran National Park and went in to watch the video of the founder of the cave and the things they use.
2.35 Pm We left Qumran National Park to our next hotel
5.02 Pm We reached Sheraton Hotel
7 Pm Had a hard time eating my dinner because my shoulder was in pain when I went for a swim for 1/2 hour without doing stretching.
9 Pm Brought Paul to the clinic and waited for 1hour for his medical water to be injected to his body fully.
11 Pm Sleep
21 Jun Tuesday
6.30 Am Wake-up call
7 Am Breakfast
8.06 Am We reached the jetty of Sea of Galilee. We took the boat Lido 10 and in the middle of Sea of Galilee praising and worshipping.
10.28 Am We reach the town of Galilee and took the bus to Tel Ban
11.15 Am We have finished the tour in Tel Ban
12.40 Pm We reached the Thai Village river rafting. The rafting was cool but too bad it does not have too many waterfall. However, we have a lot of obstacles like branches and stick but we overcome them slowly.
2.40 Pm We left the rafting area to enjoy our own program in the hotel
3.30 Pm We have reached the hotel
4 Pm We went shopping with Elaine, Imelda, Miranda and Sheryl
5.30 Pm We went for dinner and have a wonderful session with Pastor Ulf
9.30 Pm Went shopping with the rest of the group
12 Am Sleep
22 Jun Wednesday
6.30 Am Wake Up call
7 Am First time without eating my breakfast because I got no appettide
8 Am Leaving our hotel to Word Of Life Forest
8.31 Am We reached Word Of Life Forest. In 18 A.D, they have already done tree planting. I took the Carob tree and planted it and hope that it will grow it well 10 years from now.
9.19 Am We left the Word Of Life Forest
9.45 Am We reached the Mount Of Beautitudes where Jesus had his sermon on the mountain. The 7 Virtues we must have are: Justice, Charity, Produce, Faith, Fortitude, Hope and Temperance.
11.05 Am We reached the area of Bethsaida. Bethsaida is the No 1 at the time of Jesus of fishing area. Home of the 5 Disciple.
11.45 Am We reached Caperaum. It is the hometoen of Jesus. It is also the hometown of leading Roman region army.
12.30 Pm Left the town of Caperaum
12.40 Pm We reached Tabgha (place of the miracle of the loaves of bread)
1.11 Pm We left Tabgha
1.12 Pm We reached St Peter Primacy
1.43 Pm We left the church for our lunch
3.04 Pm We left our church to the Jordan River for those people who want to baptise.
3.06 Pm We reached the Jordan RIver and saw 51 people baptised in the water.
5.04 Pm We reached our hotel and went shopping with my group of friends
6.45 Pm We took the bus to the place where boat arrive at Tiberas and have our farewell dinner. We had a lot of fun over their and to give special thanks to Uncle Kenny, Christor and our bus driver David. We took some photo of our group Bus 11 for the last time round.
10.22 Pm We reached the hotel, pack my own things and ate my Maggi Mee
12.20 Am We went to the room of Sheryl and Sharon (Rm 920) whihc is just beside me only and play card, talk and laugh with them until 2.30 Am.
23 Jun Thursday
7.30 Am Wake-Up call
8 Am Breakfast
8.45 Am Luggage loaded up to the bus
9.05 Am We left the hotel
10.30 Am We went to Church of Mary. This is the place where Mary was announced that she will have a baby. Today mark the end of our tour. Feeling sad and I was controlling my tears but I could'nt when we were inside of Church of Joseph which is 2 mins away.
11.45 Am We left the place for our lunch
12.21 Pm We reached the place of Tel Megiddo National Park for our lunch. Got 2 person say Imelda and me look like bro and sis because of the way we talk.
1.01 Pm We left Tel Megiddo National Park
1.35 Pm We reached Carmel where Elijah challenge the prophet by asking them to produce fire with prayer.
2.05 Pm We left Carmel to Tel Aviv Airport. I cried for about 10 minutes when they played Israel song.
3.22 Pm We reached the town of Tel-Aviv (modern city of Israel). We went to shop around before leaving Israel
6.47 Pm We left the shopping center. On the way to hotel, I took my last look at the scenery of Israel. It was great.
7.25 Pm We eached Tel Aviv Airport and some of our luggage had been search throughly. My 2 luggage was searched but not as bad as some really unpacked your luggage to search and it really THROUGHLY.
10.30 Pm Sitting in the middle of the complex to wait for the gate to be opened
11.35 Pm We board LY 081 at Gate D9
24 Jun Friday
12.30 Am The plane departed
4 Pm We reached Bangkok International Airport
6 Pm We boarded SQ 69 and it left at 6.30 Pm. Met air turbulent and we were scared by that as it goes up and down suddenly.
9.55 Pm We reached Singapore
