Trip to Jerusalem (Part 2): Church of Nativity

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is a major Christian holy site, as it harks back to the very site of Christ's birth. It is also one of the oldest Christians known to man. It felt surreal stepping into one of the most iconic places that holds seat to the Christian religion. Even for a quick visit, we breathed in what to many is still an unexplored venue of faith.

Keen observer. Oh wait, he's the vendor!

Depiction of Mary and Jesus inside the Church of the Nativity.

Entrance to the Grotto of the Nativity. 

Entrance to Holiness.

One at a time. The tourists taking turns to experience the sacred Grotto.

The Grotto, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. 

Yes, that's me stretching! Hehehe

Convening right before we make the transfer.

That's Miguel, the history buff.

Side aisle of the ancient basilica.

The splendid Constantinian mosaic floor, revealed beneath the wooden  floorboards of the nave.

All ears. It's the trivia and interesting moments in Christ's history that made this an even more fascinating trip.

Bumped into some friends from Manila: Junski, Janet, Jennifer, Noynoy Campos

Still regret not taking home one of these low-rising chandeliers.

The structure that withstood the test of time.

Love the ceiling!

METEOR Philippines, Inc. is a land operator that has thrived on the mission of providing a one stop shop for Mediterranean and European tour rates and programs to its breadth of clients. Since 1997, it has offered competent programs and services to Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, UAE and Europe.

For more information, contact METEOR Philippines, Inc. at (+632) 9865137 ,6871743,6874596, 3401840, 3403856, 966 0643 or via e-mail at meteorphils@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meteor-Philippines-Inc/154593867932386

Trip to Jerusalem (Part 1)

We went to Israel with little knowledge of what to expect, only that it is a seat of religion and that majestic views and sceneries await every traveling-geek who visits. True enough, traveling to Israel is a spiritual exploration beyond compare. No amount of Instagram captures or OMG-punctuated Tweets and Facebook posts would come close to describing how the sight of these ancient structures wow the eyes.

From the food, the weather, the sites of ancient civilization to the priceless tours, Israel is definitely a priced destination. From the Stations of the Cross, the site of Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles, and the very location where He was arrested before his actual crucifixion, we were there to breathe in on the actual locations that we've only seen in countless movies portraying our Savior's travails in Holy Land.

A view of Jerusalem! Nothing more cinematic than this. Felt like a high-budgeted Hollywood film set.

Interesting view. The old world structures meshed with the modern traffic pile up. 

Calling of the 12th finalist.

Open happiness with me and our tourist guide Safi Said.

Strolling around the alleys of old Jerusalem with Ben and Nene.

Checking out vintage photographs with my shades on! (Tama ba 'yon?)

With my favorite travel buddy, Joseph.

Start of the Stations of the Cross.

The Flagellation

Sculptures commemorating Christ's last moments.

That's me (thanks to the wonderful lighting!) and Ben on my far right.

Enough said, magreview muna before entering. Haha

The view to the altar.

Station number 5.

The Sixth Station, and counting.

Station number 7

Travel buddies converge.

And the church's interior gives off that peaceful vibe. I can stay there for days.

And the solemn altar is accentuated by this golden structure commemorating the seventh station of the cross.

Via Dolorosa

Angelette's serious face at the eighth station.

Either the sun was too bright or I was just sleepy.

The Ninth Station, and counting.

Uhmm, Angelette, where's your group?

A quick pause and the tour continues.

The Last Supper Room (also known as the Coenaculum). Venerated as the room where Jesus and his disciples had their final meal together, this site is considered to be the fourth-most holy place in the Christian world. 

Again, call us the Holy Group! Haha

Located at the highest point of Jerusalem is the Chapel of Ascension. Erected by Queen Helena in the year 392 AD, this Chapel (or Mosque) marks the site where Jesus ascended into heaven.

On a rock inside can be seen a footprint which is identified according to Christian tradition as the print that Jesus left as he ascended to Heaven: "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke, XXIV 50-51).

The modern Church of All Nations has a beautiful mosaic on its facade.

The Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony, enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. 

Early Christian pilgrims located the Garden of Gethsemane at the bottom of the slope of the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple Mount.

How I wish I have this on my backyard.

Adjacent to the Church of All Nations is an ancient olive garden.  Olive trees do not have rings and so their age can not be precisely determined, but scholars estimate their age to anywhere between one and two thousand years old.  It is unlikely that these trees were here in the time of Christ because of the report that the Romans cut down all the trees in the area in their siege of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The beautiful facade at night!

METEOR Philippines, Inc. is a land operator that has thrived on the mission of providing a one stop shop for Mediterranean and European tour rates and programs to its breadth of clients. Since 1997, it has offered competent programs and services to Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, UAE and Europe.

For more information, contact METEOR Philippines, Inc. at (+632) 9865137 ,6871743,6874596, 3401840, 3403856, 966 0643 or via e-mail at meteorphils@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meteor-Philippines-Inc/154593867932386