Showing posts with label tours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tours. Show all posts

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Segway in the sky

.
Segway in the sky -- for SkyWatch Friday.

Segway tours start at the City of David.

I like to think that Naomi Street is named for my daughter.

.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Seeking shade and shadows

.
Here is our tour group attentively listening to the guide, standing in the interesting shadows (for Shadow Shot Sunday) of a "viewing pergola."
.
The Sherover Promenade was built in 1989.
Its architects describe it thus:
This promenade overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem, parts of western Jerusalem and a great sweep of the Judean Desert. Its 1,350 meter long walk is used by both Jews and Arabs as well as tourists and pilgrims to Jerusalem. Its quiet gardens, planted with agricultural species such as wheat and olives, and its many viewing pergolas, create an atmosphere of peace and beauty in which to enjoy this unique and world-famous site. The garden contrasts sharply with the desert which begins immediately at its feet, and provides an elegant transition from the city to the classic views of Jerusalem.
Great photos of the tayelet at the landscape architect's website!

A second big tayelet in the area is the Haas or Armon HaNatsiv Promenade , a favorite of tourists riding Segways.

On the far left the Old City is visible.
Enlarge the photo and you can see the golden Dome of the Rock shining.
.
Above the Arab villages is the Mt. of Olives on the horizon, left.
Just beyond the ridge on the right lies the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Kingdom of Jordan.
.
Strolling along the tayelet in evening or early morning sounds like a nice summer activity, so I add it to Robin's Summer Stock Sunday.
.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Romans have returned

.
Russian writing and a rather ridiculous rendering of a Roman.
.
Right after you enter Jaffa Gate into Jerusalem's Old City, you will see him.
Reflection of the gate is visible in the moneychanger's window.
.
All these Rs are for ABC Wednesday.
.

Monday, October 4, 2010

The ramparts walk

.
The Old City of Jerusalem is enclosed by a 16th century wall that has seven gates.
.
Map is from Wikitravel


For our That's My World tour let's walk on top of the ramparts.

Like this little group is doing.
.
You might have to enlarge the photo to see them.
I zoomed in on the people from the roof of St. Louis Hospital, which is across the street from the Old City.
.
Here, the Turkish sultan invites you to his wall!
.
The Hebrew poster bids you, "Walk through layers of time."
.
The old sign tells us that an Arabic inscription on the Jaffa Gate reads thus:
"In the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate, our lord the great sultan, monarch of the Byzantines, Arabs and Persians, Suleyman son of Selim Khan, may Allah perpetuate his kingdom, commanded that this blessed wall be constructed. In the year 945"
[ 945 of the Muslim Hejira calender, i.e. 1538 C.E.].
.
Just climb the spiral staircase, push through the turnstyle (which is actually on the roof of the Kishle police station), and start walking along and above the Armenian Quarter.
Then at the Jewish Quarter, you have to come down.
.
The other Ramparts Walk segment starts below the Damascus Gate and goes along the Muslim Quarter up to St. Stephen's Gate.
Sixteen shekels will buy you a ticket for both sides.
.
The length of the entire city wall is about 4 km or 2.5 miles.
But it is not possible to walk around the entire Old City atop the wall.
.
Yalla, are you coming up? This is one walk I don't wish to do alone.
I'll wait for you.
.