Reset search
Nancy and Doug Trips
Nancy and Doug Trips

Nancy and Doug Trips

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” Read more🇨🇦British Columbia
FollowMessageStatistics
  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    Entrance to the Visitors Center at Yad Vashem
    The Holocaust History MuseumThe World That Was video artThe Hall of Names ceilingThe Hall of NamesThe Children's MemorialWarsaw Ghetto Square

    Yad Vashem

    October 23, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    The tram takes you up to The World Holocaust Remembrance Center

    This is Israel's national site for remembrance of the Holocaust. A 50 acre park with paths and monuments, but the main feature is the Holocaust History Museum.

    An overwhelming and emotional experience that not only recounts the history but highlights many individual stories. Culmination is the Hall of Names where rows and rows of books with the names of every victim who has been identified are on shelves surrounding a deep well. Can't help but break down here.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Church of the Nativity

    October 22, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    The biggest tourist attraction in Bethlehem is of course the church of the Nativity. The crowd proved that. It was an hour wait but we did get in.

    The grotto is the oldest place of worship in Christendom and the church is the oldest major church in the Holy Land, having been built in 330 and repaired and rebuilt by Justinian around 550.

    The grotto has a rock on which Mary lay and this is marked wirh a 14 point silver star.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Bethlehem, Palestine

    October 22, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We had lunch in Bethlehem, stopping first to see a graffiti by the famous artist Banksey. After lunch was the Church of the Nativity, then we stopped at a gift shop, another Banksey and finally, before crossing back into Israel proper, a stop by the wall built by the Israelis.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Jericho the world's first city

    October 22, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Jericho is very cool as it is one of the earliest continuous settlements in the world, dating perhaps from about 9000 BC. and it provides evidence of the first development of permanent settlements and thus of the first steps toward civilization. In the hills above the site you can see caves where Mesolithic hunters lived. By about 8000 BCE the inhabitants had grown into an organized community with a stone wall around the settlement. The size of this settlement justifies the use of the term town and suggests a population of some 2,000–3,000 persons. Thus, this 1,000 years had seen movement from a hunting way of life to full settlement. The development of agriculture can be inferred from this, and grains of cultivated types of wheat and barley have been found. Jericho is thus one of the places providing evidence of very early agriculture.
    I was able to see the digs of the old walls and foundations.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Tomb of Yasser Arafat

    October 22, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    This monument to the founder of the PLO, later the PA is in the shape of the Shrine in Mecca, indicating the worship of him. This is not considered his "final" resting place as Palestinians hope to move him to Jerusalem if they reconquer Israel.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Ramallah Yasser Arafat Square

    October 22, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Decided Saturday Sabbath was a good day to see the West Bank sites and the most reliable way to do that was an organised tour. The army check points are unpredictable and one had moved but we did make our first stop in Ramallah in reasonable time.

    It was interesting to have a Palestinian who lives in the West Bank as the tour guide and have that perspective.

    Yasser Arafat Square was renamed from Clock Tower Square and features a large monument of a flag on an electric pole. This was inspired by the youths who would show defiance by dangerously climbing transmission lines to hang the then banned Palestinian flag.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Muslim Quarter & Damascus Gate

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    This Quarter is incredibly atmospheric with many lanes and side markets teeming with shops. It is the largest of the Quarters, and about 20,000 people live here -- outnumbered by tourists today!
    The first seven Stations of the Cross on Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) are located here.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Western Wall

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    The Western Wall is also called the “Wailing Wall”. It is the most religious site in the world for Jewish people. It's in the Old City in the Jewish Quarter below the Temple Mount, which today has the Muslim Dome and Mosque. It is the outer wall of the Second Jewish Temple. King Herod built this wall in 20 BC during an expansion of the Second Temple. When the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 CE, this support wall is all that survived.
    Thousands of people visit the wall every year to visit and recite prayers which are either spoken or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall. The wall has two sections for males females.
    Security in the entire plaza and areas around the wall is incredibly tight and checkpoints were up to control access to the actual wall, so I limited my visit to the view from above rather than intrude.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    Zion Gate
    Mount ZionBasilica of the DormitionThe Room of The Last SupperThe Room of The Last SupperSynagogueJewish QuarterJewish QuarterJewish QuarterJewish QuarterJewish Quarter

    Mt. Zion & The Jewish Quarter

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    The Zion Gate connects the Jewish Quarter inside the Old City with the historic district of Mount Zion just outside the wall. Mount Zion has several historic sights including the Room of the Last Supper and the tomb of David which it actually isn't.
    The Jewish Quarter is quite pretty and looks newer than the other areas of the Old City as it was systematically pillaged and razed by the Arab population after Israel lost the area during the War Of Independence. It was rebuilt after Israel's victory in the Seven Days War.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Armenian Quarter

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    So the Armenian Quarter is the smallest of the areas of the Old City.That said, it is interesting how there is a consistent presence of the Armenian Church all around the Middle East. The implication seems to be that Armenians were the earliest adopters of Christianity and were thus accorded privileged position's as caretakers of many Holy sites.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    Model from 1864

    The Tower of David

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    This museum is beside the Jaffa Gate and forms part of the Citadel and Wall of the city. While it actually has nothing to do with David, dating from the Second Temple period, it has been used for 3,000 years -- archaeological excavations reveal the city’s evolution. Within these walls, Hezekiah’s soldiers built a wall, the Hasmoneans launched ballistas, Herod erected a magnificent palace, zealots fought during the revolt, a crusader dug a tunnel, the Mamluks built a minaret, and Allenby stood on the citadel’s steps.
    It was quite interesting to tour the site. The courtyard contains archeological remains dating back 2,700 years. The Citadel had a section excavated deep down through the layers where you could see the ancient Canaanite foundations all the way up to the British prison cells on top. There were also 360 degree views of the city from the towers and ramparts.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    1
    Mosaic depiction of Christ's bodyThe Aedicule and Tomb of JesusThe Stone of AnointingAltar of the CrucifixionAltar of the Crucifixion1

    Church of the Holy Sepulchre

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Church of the Holy Sepulchre is built on the traditional site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial and so the church encloses the site of both the cross and the tomb. Constantine the Great first built a church on the site about 336 CE, burned by the Persians in 614, restored 626, destroyed by the caliph al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh about 1009, and restored by the Byzantines. In the 12th century the Crusaders carried out a general rebuilding of the church. The present church dates mainly from 1810. the Rock of Calvary, where the Crucifixion is believed to have occurred, is encased in glass at the lavish Altar of the Crucifixion.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Christian Quarter

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The Christian Quarter is (obviously) one of the four sections of the Old City (Christian, Arab, Armenian and Jewish). For some reason, it feels even older than the other quarters with extremely narrow and winding alleys. I came through fairly early in the day, so most of the shops wee still closed up.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation

    October 21, 2022 in Palestine ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    This church was along the path to the Holy Sepulchre, so stopped in for a brief peek. It serves as the headquarters of the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchal Dependent Territory of Jerusalem This is an Eastern sect that broke away and became Catholic. Explains why the Pope visited.

    Very elaborate Orthodox style, with what look the paintings in the Renaissance style but were actually ;painted in the 1970's. Fooled me.

    . Quite pretty.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    Bunting's Cloverleaf Map (1581 CE)Hall of VisionariesHeinrich BüntingLights in the Darkness

    FOZ - The Friends of Zion Museum

    October 20, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Heard about this after I arrived earlier than expected in Jerusalem and found it just a couple of blocks from my hotel. This private museum has a fantastic and powerful series of exhibits that tells stories of non-Jewish supporters of Zionism and assistance in the establishment of the State of Israel. State-of-art technology makes this a highly effective way to present the stories of many individuals.

    The museum begins with the famous "Cloverleaf Map" from 1658 by Heinrich Bünting showing Jerusalem as the hub of the continents and Old Testament quotes about the desire of the Israelites to return home. A series of halls present the contribution of the Friends of Zion such as Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, Orde Wingate and several Righteous Among the Nations such as Oskar Schindler. Raul Wallenberg, Irena Sendler, a Polish nurse, Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese consul general and the Ten-Boom family that saved lives during the Holocaust while risking their own lives. Especially moving was the black and white Lights in the Darkness movie.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    1

    Jerusalem

    October 20, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Bus from the massive Tel Aviv Central Bus Station at 1140. Left TLV early as just didn't feel like storing my bag, dashing around town and getting in late. Scenic and relaxing trip, quick tram ride and walk to hotel where my room was ready!

    Went for an exploration of the Ben Yehuda neighbourhood which is a network of pedestrianized streets with lots of cafes. Also lots of cats again. What us up with stray cats over here?

    Walked past a bagel shop, looked normal then a double take when I saw the iced versions! Resisted temptation though.

    The Ibis Styles Hotel itself is very nice. Room small with no seating but everything works and it is very well located.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    1Great Synagogue

    An Evening in Nachalat Binyamin

    October 19, 2022 in Israel ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    Took the afternoon off to rest and do laundry, then an evening walk took me back to the area around Allenby and King George an area called Nachalat Binyamin and the adjacent Carmel Market.

    Had dinner at a sidewalk restaurant called Ha'Mitbach Ha'Kaful. This was probably the best meal so far on the trip. Fire-grilled chicken skewers with a lemony marinade, salad and a really good hummous.

    It would take days to wander all the streets around here as they radiate in all directions and run off into back lanes. Even the back lanes have back lanes! This whole area is very lively with thousands of people enjoying the nightlife. The Carmel Market was closed, but spreads for blocks with food, meat and seafood stalls.

    Passed by the impressive Great Synagogue on the way home.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Haganah Museum

    October 19, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Went to the Independence Hall first, but was being renovated so carried on to the Haganah (predecessor to the IDF) Museum and then the Lehi Museum nearby which is on a combo ticket,

    Israel would not even exist without the heroics of the underground army they built from 1920 to defend the kibbutz's (as the defensive force, Haganah, which means defense in Hebrew) and later fight the British (as the offensive arm called the Palmach) in organizing the immigration of Holocaust survivors. They trained soldiers and ran hidden arms factories. The British hung anyone found with weapons or ammunition, so the fact they were able to build a force that then became the Israeli Defense Force in a single day on Independence day, then defeat four counties with air forces and armored divisions is almost impossible to imagine.

    Like all of the museums here, this is also very well done.

    I also stopped at the sister museum, Lehi Museum. This group was not part of the Haganah, but was a much more radical group that carried out terrorist acts as the Irgun and Stern Gang. The museum is in the house where Abraham Stern was assassinated by a British policeman.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler
    1

    Tel Aviv Old Port and Promenade

    October 18, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    At the northern end of Tel Aviv's famed beach promenade is the Old Port, a redeveloped complex of shops, restaurants and public spaces.

    I arrived in time for sunset and found a waterfront restaurant and had a nice dinner of fish and chips. The cod was really good with a light and crispy batter.

    After dinner, I walked much of the length of the beach enjoying the perfect temps and the activity of walkers, joggers and beach volleyball and soccer volleyball. . Th entire length is lined with nice hotels, and the beach has many bars, restaurants and cafes.

    The route home took me up Allenby, a popular street with many cafes etc, especially around King George.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Hayarkon Park

    October 18, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Between the Rabin Center and waterfront, you can walk in a nice park along the river on part of the Israeli National Trail. Rowers and dragon boaters practicing on the river, families strolling, joggers and bikers along the banks. Pleasant 2.8 km walk.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    The Yitzhak Rabin Center

    October 18, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    This museum is dedicated to the life and times of Yitzhak Rabin who went from undergound freedom fighter with the Palmach to army general to two-time prime minister and driver of the peace process with Egypt and Jordan. The very well done exhibit intertwines his life with the founding and growth of Israel in which he played such a prominent role before being assassinated in 1995 by a hardliner. Highly recommended.Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    ANU - Museum of the Jewish People

    October 18, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    This was formerly known as "The Diaspora House" or "Beit Hatfutsot" and was rebuilt and opened in 2021. It traces the history of the migration of the Jewish people around the world and the triumphs, contributions, trials, tribulations and persecutions they have faced. It is a powerful introduction to the motivations underlying the great desire of many Jews to return to their roots in Israel after the 2,000 years of the Diaspora.

    It was a complete enjoyment and surprise as I expected to do this in an hour or so but ended up spending more than three hours. The exhibits were highly educational while remaining engaging and entertaining.

    There were too many subsections, but one very interesting area was about "The Great Migration" when a third of Eastern European Jews (such as Tevye's daughter) emigrated to the USA. Emma Lazarus, a Jewish worker in NYC who helped to resettle Jewish immigrants wrote the poem 'The New Colossus' which was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty (“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”).

    There was also a room dedicated to Leonard Cohen, who was a great supporter of Israel with a film of his last concert here.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Arrival in Israel and Bus to Tel Aviv

    October 17, 2022 in Israel ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    So walked over the border, which is a painless, if lengthy process with four passport checks and a security screening on each side and a moderate number of people in line. The Israeli border guards called for a taxi for me and I cabbed it into the Central Bus station. The driver told me there was nothing to do today because it was the last day of a Jewish holiday. So I bought a bus ticket on the next bus. There is a remarkable amount of agriculture coaxed out of the desert including miles of the palm trees. Also miles of greenhouses and 'shade' houses. Where there isn't this intensive agriculture, it is just as desolate as Jordan.

    Got into the huge Tel Aviv Central Bus Station and managed to find my way out and to my hotel by about 8pm.    Read more

  • Nancy and Doug TripsMiddle East 2022Traveler

    Leaving Jordan

    October 17, 2022 in Jordan ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Jordan is a country of great beauty and variety. It is a very easy to visit and get around with uncrowded roads outside of Amman (don't even think of driving in central Amman) and English is fine to get away with. The Jordanian people were the warmest people I met on this trip and I generally found the people I met to be easy-going and patient with visitors.

    There is a lot of variety of activities from beach resorts in both Aqaba and the Dead Sea, incredible historical and archaeological sites, adventures in nature and the out of this world landscapes of the desert.    Read more

Get your own travel profile

Free

QR code

FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice