BIBLICAL LAND Series: LAND OF CREATION 6

LAST DAY IN HOLY LAND

Day 10: December 30, 2012

When I finished my pyramid tour at around 10 in the morning, we drove back to Taba Border and I entered again in Israel. At around 8:00 pm I was walking at down town Eliat to look for a hotel wherein I can stay for a night. I found the Blue Hotel located at the city center and just a short walk to Eliat Airport. 

Day 11: December 31, 2012

After checking out at Blue hotel, I walked going to the Airport to take my flight bound to Tel Aviv. Passengers go through the manual security inspection before allowing check-in then continuing to the upper passenger departure lounge, through the magnetometer gates.

It takes only an hour flight from Eliat to Tel Aviv.

Holy Land View from the top:

Jordan

Dead Sea

Tel Aviv

Mediterranean Sea

When I arrived at Ben Gurion International Terminal 1, I took the free shuttle services going to Terminal 3, to take my flight bound to Manila via Bangkok.

Every Christian traveler must experience a holy land tour and take a life-changing visit to the land where Jesus walked.

I am not a good writer. I am not a professional photographer. I am just a traveler.

BIBLICAL LAND Series: WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

TO THE ANCIENT WORLD

Day 9: December 30, 2012

Egypt is one of the ancient civilizations on the planet. The first time I read about Egypt was when I started to study the Bible in my elementary days. Egypt is particularly mention in the Book of Exodus. And now, as a traveller, I decided to include Egypt in my priority list of countries to visit. Personally, I want to be in Egypt first that in the US.

When I think about this country, I always wanted to see the Red Sea, the Nile River and the Pyramid. I considered other attractions as travel perks.

Exodus

We all know that The Red Sea and the Nile River were both mentioned in the book of Exodus, When I hear about these two places, the first thing that pops out in my mind is Moses. Some scenes in the movie Ten Commandments flashed back to my mind when I was on the shore capturing some photos.

Ancient Wonder of the world

The Great pyramid of Giza is the only remaining member of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. There are lots of pyramids in Egypt but the greatest pyramid is the oldest and the largest. 

  

Travel Tip

Don’t go to the Pyramid of Giza as early as 8 in the morning during winter season. You can’t see the pyramid in good panorama due to fog. (Ticket to the site costs 60LE (US$9). However, going inside the pyramid and riding on a camel are not included in the ticket. The site opens at 8 AM.

Travel Perks

I am not a good writer. I am not a professional photographer. I am just a traveler.

BIBLICAL LAND Series: LAND OF CREATION 5

A WALK TO REMEMBER

Day 8: December 29, 2012

Going from one continent to another, by foot, is a rare experience.  At first, I thought it is not possible. But when I was planning my holy land journey, I found out that it can actually happen.

December 29, 2012, as early as 6:30 in the morning, I took a cab from my hotel in Eliat, Israel bound for Taba Border. Taxi fare costs 50NIS (US$13). 

“The Taba Border Crossing is an international border crossing between Taba, Egypt, and Eilat, Israel. Opened on April 26, 1982 it is currently the only entry/exit point between the two countries that handles tourists. The site is at the bottom of Mount Tallul and was close to Raffi Nelson's Nelson Village and the Sonesta Hotel which both closed due to the handing over of the Sinai to Egyptian control in exchange for normalization of relations. Under terms of the deal, Israelis would be able to visit the Red Sea coast from Taba to Sharm el-Sheikh (and St. Catherine's Monastery) visa free for visits up to fourteen days. The terminal is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year except for the holidays of Eid ul-Adha and Yom Kippur.” -Wikipedia.org

It’s an international border crossing, from Israel to Egypt, same as what I did previously by crossing the border of Jordan and Israel by foot. The difference is that Israel and Jordan are both part of Asia and Egypt is part of Africa.

After paying Israeli Exit Tax of 103NIS (US$28) and pass through its immigration process, I advanced to the Egypt terminal. When I received my Egyptian Immigration stamp on my passport, I finally and formally entered Egypt, which is a part of Africa. 

The bus station going to Cairo is just a few hundred meters away. Some Bedouin drivers approached me and offered their services. It was too late when I noticed the sign board saying that all visitors must keep right, and yes, I was on walking on the other side of the road. When I reached the Office of Taba General Authority, I paid border’s tax amounting to 75LE (US$10).

I asked for the location of the East Delta Bus Station. They pointed it on the other side of the road. Unfortunately were no buses. I asked the staff on the ticket counter. He just said, “no bus”.

A Bedouin driver, who speaks english told me that bus service that day going to Cairo is unavailable due to landslide. He offered to drive me to Sinai instead of Cairo, but his rate was expensive.

And so, I decided to go back and explore more of Israel instead. In Egypt Terminal, the police said, “Why are you going back?”. I said, “because there is no bus going to Cairo.” Then the police told me to negotiate with them since they are authorized tourists taxi drivers. So I spoke with one of the drivers. His name is Said Abu Mubark, a Bedouin tourist mini bus driver, with mobile number (002) 010-63-0090139. I forgot his service fee for Mt. Sinai Tour because that time my heart was for the Pyramid and not for Mt. Sinai.

I paid US$600 plus tip for driving me from Taba to Dahab, and then transferred me to his Egyptian friend, who continues to drive me bound to Cairo. Then the next morning, drive to Giza then back to Taba.

The Route 

Because of landslide at the shortcut road, we took another route along the shore of Red Sea. It was a 9-hour journey from Taba to Cairo. It was really expensive and tiring journey. There were several police check points along the way, but I was still a little bit afraid. Thank God, He gave me a good driver. 

I am not a good writer. I am not a professional photographer. I am just a traveler.