Bethany - Beth Shean - Galilee

This morning we were up and about nice and early to get a good start on the day. We left the city of Amman and travelled down to Bethany Beyond Jordan to the baptismal place of Jesus. For most it was a time and Place we could hardly believe we were visiting. The River Jordan at this point is little more than a shallow muddy creek, but the significance of the site is not diminished. We could imagine what it might have been the in time of Jesus.
After a ‘Coffee out’ stop we were back in the bus headed through the Rift Valley towards the crossing point into Israel. The valley is very fertile with numerous fruit and vegetable crops including eggplant, cabbage, bananas and potatoes. There were also some neat looking trucks, and the occasional Bedouin camp.

After the first step of our departure from Jordan we said good by to Sala and then made our way out of Jordan and into Israel. The crossing was much easier than our crossing into Jordan, and we were then met by our Israeli guide Samir.
Once on the bus we drove immediately to Bet She’an National Park—which is an amazing area including 400 acres of Archaeological excavations. After a brief explanation of the site we were able to wander freely throughout—which for some included the trek up to the top of the Fortress Mound.
The whole site is absolutely amazing, and no one left unimpressed.
As we had arrived early, we also were able to take in a visit to Capernaum which was originally scheduled for tomorrow. We visited the synagogue and the church that ‘hovers’ over the excavated site of Peter’s home where Jesus began his ministry. As we looked over the Sea of Galilee all of us were able to soak in the peacefulness of the place.
Then we were off to our hotel—Ron Beach Hotel—a beautiful hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee. After an early dinner we were set to relax for the evening and prepare for what is likely to be a very busy day tomorrow.