Each of our cabins has a beautiful view of the lake. (The Sea of Galilee is also known as Lake Kinneret.)

Our first objective is to climb Mt. Arbel.

So we set out.

The caves of Mt. Arbel held Jews, who hid from the Romans, in the first century.

Soon we were seeing beautiful views of the Sea of Galilee and the Plain of Genneserat.

In the first century, this was the location of the city of Magdala. We will visit later in the morning.

But first a baptism in the Jordan River.

The first century city of Magdala (home of Mary Magdalene) is just inches underneath the surface at this location.

The first building excavated at Magdala turned out to be the synagogue, most likely a synagogue visited by Jesus. And there they found a strange stone table, carved with images on the top and on all sides. On one end, you can see the image of a menorah.

Then we stopped for lunch, and the traditional St. Peter’s fish (tilapia) was served.

Then on to another synagogue in a city criticized by Jesus, Chorazim.

In this synagogue was found the Seat of Moses, a seat of honor. In Matthew 23:2 Jesus criticizes the hypocritical leaders who sit in Moses’ seat.

A common site in Israel, swirling flocks of migrating storks.

The “White Synagogue” at Capernaum, which is believed to have been built several centuries after the time of Jesus, on the remains of the synagogue from the time of Jesus (the basalt layers underneath).

The ultra modern Catholic church at Capernaum is built over the remains of what is believed to be the House of St. Peter.

In 1986 the remains of a first century fishing boat was found buried in the mud along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was removed and preserved, and is now on display at the museum at kibbutz Ginosar.

Kibbutz Ginosar is also where we boarded our board for a ride on the Sea of Galilee. The city of Tiberias is in the background.

Our last stop of the day, the Mt. of Beattitudes. Underneath the white canopies are banana trees.

We arrived during the banana harvest.

Time to ponder the profound teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

Time for reflection, with Mt. Arbel still watching over us.