Galilee - The North of Israel

Today we ventured, along the Mediterranean coast, up to Israel’s northernmost point along the sea, Rosh Hanikra.

Before getting there, however, we made several stops along the way.

We had wanted to visit a kibbutz, and hopefully learn about their way of life. We had read about one called Ma’agan Michael, which was on the way, and made that our first stop. Well, this kibbutz is basically a whole town of more than 2,000 people. We did not expect that. We had visualized it as a small self-sufficient homestead or commune, which may be the way it started, back in the 40s, but now, it has become a financial powerhouse, producing 2,000 tons of poultry per year, hatching over 4.5 million chicks. The large stockyard holds over 500 heads of cattle, which produce 3.2 million liters of milk per year. There are rows and rows of banana plants (over 1,200 tons in banana production), and all types of other fruits and vegetables, as well as their own fish hatchery. There is a plastics factory, and a metal factory, which export their goods worldwide. Is this how you expected a kibbutz to look like?

Industrial-size stockyard at the kibbutz.

Next on our itinerary was Israel’s third largest city, Haifa. Called by many, Israel’s most beautiful city, we may have to agree. There appears to be much affluence here, and its elevated quarters reminded me a lot of the Hollywood hillside ritzy areas. The original Bahai temple is located here, and the Bahai Gardens extending over acres, are a sight to behold.

The Bahai gardens from above. Bahai Temple at center.

In the far north, we reached the Lebanon border. Well, sort of, since officially there is no border, as the two countries have no diplomatic relations. There is a massive concrete wall separating the countries, and lots of military warning signs.

There are also limestone sea grottos, which is what we came to see. An interesting documentary played at the site, in a former railroad tunnel that actually spans both countries, but is now sealed off.

Lebanon around the cliff

Notice the rail line. This tunnel is partly in Israel and partly in Lebanon. Obviously blocked to traffic.

On the return leg, we stopped at the city of Acre, rich in crusader related history. The old city, steeped in Muslim culture, is quite appealing with its maze of alleyways.