Day 3 (May 29, '08): Today we spent our time in and around the Sea of Galilee. We started off going to the Mt. of the Beatitudes, a hill that overlooks the lake, from where it is believed that Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount. Now there is a modern church there - the Church of the Beatitudes. Then we went to Golan Heights, the northeastern region of Israel that has been in the news of late due to a territorial conflict between Syria and Israel. We drove through one area where we could simultanously see Lebanon and Syria, while remaining in Israel. In Golan Heights, we stopped in Caesarea Phillippi (different from Ceasarea seen yesterday), also known as Banias Nature Reserve, where we saw the Temple of Pan, Roman temple ruins. Also in Golan Heights were the bunkers at Mount Ben Tal. The underground bunkers were extensive, and the cool temperature was a nice break from the 100 degree temps at ground level. There is also a beautiful lookout point from which Damascus can be seen in the distance. Next on the itinerary was Capernaum, a Roman town, where Simon Peter lived and where there are the remains of a 4th century A.D. synagogue. Then we headed to Tabkha, which is where Christ is believed to have fed his 5,000 followers with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Here, we finally got to stick our feet in the Sea of Galilee - there was no sand, only rocks, but it still felt VERY good! We ended our day at Yardenet Baptismal Site, which is on the Jordan River. Several members of our group were immersed in the river to reaffirm their baptisms. That's about it for now...wow, such a jam-packed day...time for sleep! P.S. Babe - I bought myself some expensive jewelry today. =) Don't get mad. =)