The stone tower of Jericho, what some have called the first skyscraper in the world, built early in Jericho’s 9,000-year history. Later levels of occupation covered it.

The layers of ancient mud brick walls are visible through the archaeological cuts that have shown (according to some archaeologists, disputed by others) that Jericho was indeed destroyed as the book of Joshua reports.

Some of our lucky ladies got a kiss from a camel at Jericho.

Roadside abundance in the markets of Jericho.

The wilderness of Judea, where we heard the story of God’s promise to Abraham in this land. (Can you spot Abraham?)

Some of the wildlife of the wilderness, where the deer and the antelope play.

We visited Shiloh, the site of the ancient tabernacle before the temple was built in Jerusalem. There’s an ongoing archaeological excavation here.

Betshean, where the bodies of Saul and Jonathan were hung on the city walls after the defeat by the Philistines. (I Samuel 31) In the time of Jesus, the city was called Scythopolis, one of the cities of the Decapolis, the only one west of the Jordan River.

Betshean/Scythopolis was destroyed in an 8th century earthquake, and has been only partially restored.

On top of the Tel, the ancient tree that was used in the movie Jesus Christ Superstar. And the remains of the palace of the Philistine governor. Note the two prominent pillar bases. Two pillars close together like that figured in the story of Samson.

At the end of the day we arrived at the Sea of Galilee, and our home for the next three days, kibbutz Maagan. Perhaps the best lake view of any of the seaside kibbutzim.