Jackie and myself were lucky enough to check out Israel a few weeks ago and I thought I would share a few shots of the place.
Apologies for the lack of plants in the shots hopefully there will be some interest to forum members of this rather turbulent area of the world.
Flying from Cyprus was interesting indeed as at Larnaca airport we had to be interviewed individually by Israeli police before being allowed to embark on our visit.
The prop plane was flanked by police, as we boarded, police cars stayed with their flashing lights on during take off and not until we were airborne did the police leave the runway.
Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel Aviv, Israel
A Friday morning anywhere in the world is no doubt very similar
We went straight to Bethlehem which is behind a large wall and owned and run by the Palestinians.
It seemed very strange to cross over the border with all these prospective western hostages on board but of all the people we came across were really nice and very happy to see us.
I was expecting a bombed out Palestinian State but none of it.
A green oasis with a gardener growing on the edge Jerusalem in the background high up on the hill
I phoned my mum from here which was possibly not the cleverest of things to do as I did not get through and it still cost me £12
Most street planting seemed to be Cycas revoluta and Roses some strange companions.
The church of the nativity was again roses but this time all types of citrus.
I will spare you a thousand shots of where the baby Jesus was born and move on...
Back into Israel
Here the homes were far more impressive
This picture summed Israel up nicely taken at the Mount of Olives
The morning call to prayer
The street tree of choice was the carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua
The walled city of Jerusalem was flanked with Phoenix dactylifera and Lavender
The Wailing wall was immediately the other side of the golden dome, seen in previous shots, this was like a heavily fortified fortress on all entrances.
The garden of Gethsemane
So next stop the Dead Sea, a very strange drive, going below sea level to get to what is apparently the lowest place on earth
Markers on the side of the road made you aware the further you descended making your ears pop as you went it is 427 Mts below sea level.
As we drove along past Jericho there was a line of what looked like garden centres I wonder what sort of plants you could acquire from these places
The Dead Sea with Jordan in the background.
It was another weird experience bathing in the Dead Sea, not just the salt content of the water making it impossible to drown, but the bathers themselves women in the tiniest bikini's imaginable along with others in full burkas, east meets west I suppose, no problems all getting along with each other.
This Crinum must be a heat lover and salt tolerant...
We did not spot any dead palms apart from this one hopefully not the dreaded RPW
Apologies again for the lack of plant content.
Jackie + Kev