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Tell Who? Tel-Aviv! Part 1 of our Holy Land Tour

Destination: Tel Aviv Israel

Date: March 2010

I was a little unsure of how I'd feel about Israel
Jaffa, Israel March 2010

Israel was one of the biggest surprises I've encountered while traveling.  I must admit I wasn't excited about the trip.  My wonderful in-laws had purposed an idea that all of their children travel to Israel with their spouses, and we would meet in Tel-Aviv to begin a visit to the Holy land.  My impression of Israel wasn't good, so how could I get excited?  All I could imagine is what I had seen on CNN and that consisted of bombed out apartment complexes, and machine guns, and debris in the streets.  I could only picture the dessert of the middle-east and I couldn't imagine it would be a destination I'd ever want to visit.  How WRONG I was!  This turned out to be a trip of a lifetime!  It also changed my life in many ways so I am truly excited to write about this magnificent place called Israel.

We landed at the Tel-Aviv airport late on Saturday, March 12, 2010.  After a long eleven hour flight from the states I was ready for bed.  Since it was night time when we arrived I couldn't see much.  Our kind taxi driver met us at the airport and drove us straight to our accommodations.  Our hotel wasn't the greatest so I will omit the name.  Once I had a full nights sleep I was ready to get up and see what Israel had to offer.  When I asked the taxi driver the night before how safe Tel-Aviv was he told me not to pay attention to what I see on TV.  He said it was like looking at a place through a magnifying glass.  "They make everything look much bigger than it is."  I wasn't sure I believed him but with the new day I was ready to peek my head out and see if I needed to run for cover.  

Above is a typical home in old Jaffa and this photo is our first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea
Jaffa Israel, March 2010

It was great to meet up with most of Trent's family at the hotel.  Once we had established we were ready for our tour to begin our tour guide showed up.  Mark was a great guide that was a Jewish Canadian.  We were set up with him through our tour group LDS Travel.  Our first stop of the day would be to Jaffa.  Jaffa was very close and happens to be where Jonah was spit out of the whale.  Let the Bible lessons begin!  This happened to be a very clean, small sector just outside of Tel-Aviv, and where our guide started educating us on both Christian and Jewish significance.  

The magnificent old port of Caesarea
Israel, March 2010

From Jaffa we drove over to Caesarea.  "This is where Peter explained his vision to the Roman Centurion that the gospel was available to all nations.  Paul, Luke and Philip also did missionary work here where there once had been a huge seaside metropolis."LDS Study Guide

The ruins of Caesarea
Israel, March 2010

My brother-in-law "R"showing off his giant feet
Caesarea, Israel March 2010

The ruins here were amazing, and we watched a film at their museum that showed what Caesarea had looked like in its hay day, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. It had a seaside coliseum for sports and the stadium seating was impressive for an ancient city.  We were also amazed at how large the stones were that were used to build a city like Caesarea.  

In the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath
Israel, March 2010

My brother-in-laws "R" and "T" re-enacting the story of David and Goliath
Israel, March 2010

Trent in the Valley of Elah
Israel, March 2010

Our next stop of the day took us to the Valley of Elah.  This is best known as the area where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath.  Now it sits like a humble valley in the midst of two hills, but it was interesting to imagine what had happened here so long ago.  We couldn't help but use a stone and pretend to knock over my 6'6" brother-in-law "R" since he represented Goliath so well this spot.  I couldn't resist bringing back a few stones for the kids to show them what David had used to conquer this giant.

The beautiful city of Haifa from the Gardens of Bah'ai'
Haifa, Israel March 2010

Continuing on our journey we went through the city of Haifa.  In Haifa we enjoyed a view of the harbor and began talking about Elijah's role before and after the life and mission of Jesus.  In the days of John the Baptist people were eagerly anticipating the return of Elijah to proceed the coming of the Messiah.  Here in Haifa is a major city port today and is the home of Mount Carmel.  

The Bah'ai temple and Gardens from the bottom of the hill

Haifa was a beautiful city to see and we enjoyed walking the gardens  of Bah'ai', www.ganbahai.org.il/en/haifa/.  These gardens are a series of nineteen terraces that go up the side of Mount Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean.  According the the Bah'ai' website it reads, "The geometry of the complex is built around the axis connecting it with the City of ‘Akko, which also has great historical and sacred significance for Bahá’ís. At its heart stands the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, which is the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith." Though this is not of our faith it was interesting to visit a place of religious importance to another faith.  The beauty of this area could be appreciated by a person of any faith.  

Our kibbutz accommodations
Sea of Galilee Israel, March 2010

Our last stop on our day trip north to Galilee was at our kibbutz, where we would be staying during our visit to the Northern area of Israel.  According to Wikipedia it says, "Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism. In recent decades, some kibbutzim have been privatized and changes have been made in the communal lifestyle."  Basically it was a big commune with family style rooms for travelers. Our room had a kitchen and not only a double bed for Trent and I but bunk beds as well if we had brought kids.  Since there were six couples in our group we all had our own private rooms and no one had to resort to bunk beds.  There is also a big communal eating area where meals are served to guests of the kibbutz.  Mostly there were other families or student groups staying at our kibbutz during our stay.  

Though I didn't write the name of our kibbutz down after looking at pictures online I am pretty sure we stayed at Ashdot Yaacov Ichud Country Lodging.  It was a very clean stay that would be comparable to something like Motel 6, but cleaner.  It was on the waterfront of the Sea of Galilee and had some beautiful views of the water.  The beauty of kibbutz is that they are all inclusive, meaning they cover a meal plan, and they are relatively cheap.  More info on kibbutz in the area, including the one we stayed at,  can be found at, http://www.kibbutz.co.il.

Our happy group on the tour bus that took us around Israel for 10 days!
Israel, March 2010

The beautiful landscape up in Northern Israel
Israel March 2010

Our first very full day in Israel ended here.  There was much to take in but the beauty was we were finally at our accommodations that would last us for the next three days.  It was nice to have a place to unpack for awhile and rest a little before the scheduled eight am meeting times every morning.  I would say our first day in this war torn country had been a success and I was ready to see all that it had to offer!

Safe & Happy Travels!!!

Palmyra New York, LDS Church History Site

Destination: Palmyra, New York
Date: May 2009

Our little family just outside one of the Smith farm buildings
Palmyra New York May 2009

May of 2009 found us with an extra child. My niece "J" was living with us at the time and we wanted to have a spiritual trip to bring us all closer as a family.  So after talking about places we could go we finally decided a quick four day trip to Palmyra New York, a church history site for our church, would be a great place to visit.

Trent and I inside the Sacred Grove
Palmyra, New York May 2009

Palmyra is where our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded back in the 1820s.  As we believe Joseph Smith, then a 14-year-old boy, was searching for a church to join.  After visiting to several congregations he didn't feel right about any of the churches.  Then one night as he read in the Bible James 1:5
 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
So that is exactly what Joseph decided to do.  He decided to find a quiet spot, outside of his packed little farm house he lived with his family, and go into the woods and pray to Heavenly Father about which church he should join.

Clay pretending to be in Josephs bed at the Smith Family Farm house
Palmyra, New York May 2009

It was here, in Palmyra New York where Joseph lived at the time.  Near Josephs home there is a grove of trees which we now in the church call the "Sacred Grove".  It is here where Joseph Smith went to pray as a humble young man full of faith.  We believe that Joseph prayed and was visited by Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.  At that time he was told to not join any of the churches and was instructed on how to fully restore the gospel of Jesus Christ back to the earth.  This was the beginning of the restoration of Christ's church on the earth and the beginning of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Leah reading in the Smith family Bible
Palmyra New York May 2009

So going to Palmyra was a treat for our family.  It was interesting to visit the farmhouse of the Smith family, visit the original building where the first Book of Mormon was printed and of course to be in the Sacred Grove.  For any of you who aren't familiar with our church we revere Joseph Smith as a prophet of God but we do not worship him.  So visiting his home was just out of interest of a historical purpose like visiting the homes of our countries forefathers. Visiting the Sacred Grove however, was a very spiritual experience because we do believe that this is where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared.

With the kids just before we entered the Sacred Grove
Palmyra New York May 2009

In the Sacred Grove with the kids enjoying this beautiful site
Palmyra New York, May 2009

When we approached the Sacred Grove all seven of the kids were being a little bit crazy.  Excitedly running around, some of them annoying each other with hits or kicks and I was a little frazzled thinking we were about to enter this sacred site with my six hooligans and my teenaged niece.  Trent and I tried talking to them and hoped they could feel the spirit of where we were going.  It didn't seem to help and I was ready to leave them behind and just go in with only Trent.  However there is a little bridge just before the entrance to the Sacred Grove and just as we crossed over the bridge it was like my kids became their best selves.  It was a little family miracle.

Taking a break on one of the benches on the Smith Farm property
Palmyra New York May 2009

As we entered the grove each child quickly became quiet and respectful.  They weren't angels but they were cheerful and stopped being annoying to one another.  It was amazing, at least for me!  We walked the trails in the grove and watched the light of the sun as it came cascading through the trees.  We stopped and listened to the rustling of the leaves and watched them flitter with the light.  It was a holy place and we could actually feel the significance of Joseph Smiths first vision so long ago.  We took a moment to say a family prayer and have our own personal moments of silence.

We alway need help carrying the littles as we travel
Palmyra New York, May 2009

Just like in the Bible we believe that the Lord has provided us a prophet on the earth today.  Joseph Smith was the first prophet of the restoration of the gospel.  He worked as a servant of the Lord setting up the church as it was in Christ's time.  He didn't receive fame or fortune and actually lost many family members from mobs that hunted him all of his life, and in the end died in a prison in Carthage Illinois.  However, he was a true prophet of God.  If you'd like to find out more about our church I highly recommend going to lds.org

Loving all the family time at these church history sites
Palmyra New York May 2009

While in Palmyra there are many sites to see.  The best place to start your visit is the Hill Cumorah visitors center.  Here is where you can receive a free tour with much explanation of what went on in the area.  The Hill Cumorah being of course, where Joseph Smith uncovered the brass plates that held the writings of the Book of Mormon.  Near this location is also the Palmyra Temple.  This beautiful temple is not open to visitors that aren't in good standing with the LDS church but for visitors and members alike its a great place to take pictures.

In front of the Palmyra Temple
Palmyra New York, May 2009

Also during the month of July they have a huge pageant that is free of charge.  As stated on the website, www.hillcumorah.org, "Come feel the Savior's love.  Experience one of the world's great outdoor theatrical productions. Each July, seven evening performances are presented on the beautiful Cumorah hillside next to the Visitors' Center. A beautiful story on an enormous 10 level stage, twelve-tower lighting, state-of-the-art sound system, Hollywood special effects, and a costumed cast of over 650 provide a truly spectacular show.  Parking and admission are free. No tickets needed."  This is definitely a great performance for anyone of any faith.

Bailey in the Smith Family Farm house by the hearth where Joseph Smith hid the
 brass plates from an invading mob at one time.
Palmyra New York May 2009

Inside the small reconstructed farm house
Palmyra New York, May 2009

As I mentioned before the Smith Family Farm is interesting to see.  Though it has been reconstructed it give an accurate reconstruction of how a family as large as the smiths lived in this tiny cabin.  The Book of Mormon Publication site, the Grandin Building gives an interesting glimpse of what printing was like in the 1820's. Last of all The Peter Whitmer Log Home and the Martin Harris farm are also in the area and worth a look during your visit.  The Peter Whitmer Log Home is located over in Waterloo and is a thirty-five minute drive from Palmyra. There Peter Whitmer home is where the church was finally organized on April 6, 1830 and worth a drive to see its humble beginnings.

In front of the Grandin Building where the first Book of Mormon was printed
Palmyra New York, May 2009

The Martin Harris Farm is located near the Smith farm.  Martin Harris was a good neighbor who helped immensely  with the church in the early days.  He was known as "an honorable and upright man, and an obliging and benevolent neighbor."  Most of these sites open daily at 9:00am and close at dusk.  They are all  hosted by missionaries who give great tours of each of these sites for free.

While visiting Palmyra there are very little in choice of accommodations.  The Palmyra Inn is probably the most popular and looks pretty nice from the website.  While we were there we found a house on vrbo.com.  We decided to find a house mostly due to our group of nine.  It was a great house and I really recommend finding accommodations on this site.  Eating in the area is also very sparse when it comes to choice.  The best choice is the Chill and Grill.  They have a modest selection of hamburgers and hotdogs and the largest ice creams around.  I actually think someone could make a good living by opening a summer only restaurant in the area.  Thankfully the Chill and Grill is there, and gives visitors one good place to eat.

Bailey enjoying the wide open spaces on the Smith Family Farm
Palmyra New York, May 2009

All in all Palmyra is a great site to visit.  We stayed in the area for two days and moved on to Niagra Falls for another great adventure.  Two days is plenty of time to spend in the area.  There isn't much else to do in this part of New York so make sure to plan another part of your adventure if you are coming to the area just to see this area.

Safe and Happy Travels!!

Mallorca aka Majorca, the City of lots of Dog Poop; Mediterranean Cruise Part 8

Destination: Mallorca aka Majorca, Spain

Date: January 2012

Trent and I posing at the Bellver Castle in Mallorca
January 2013

As you can probably tell from my title of this post I was not overly impressed by Mallorca!  After our last stop in Malta I was ready for another beautiful island with lots of beautiful architecture, instead I felt like we landed in Miami Beach circa 1980.  Everything was run down but not the beautiful run down with old buildings and history.  There are massive amounts of apartments that look like they were built in the 70’s and 80’s and everything is dirty.  Worst of all the streets are totally ransacked with dog poop!  Not the jet set island described in the travel flyers!

Some of the area near the waterfront that we walked through trying to find a taxi
Not so desirable, January 2013

When we landed at the Palma Port we were ready for another day of adventure.  We had a few ideas of what we’d like to see but we were open to whatever came our way.  As always Trent started the negotiating with taxi drivers and we were unimpressed by the steep fees they were trying to charge us.  So we set off to walk into town and find cheaper taxis.  

The day started off cold when we landed at the port in Mallorca
January 2013

Kids playing a clapping game while we wait for Dad to negotiate some taxi rides
Colton is such a good sport
January 2013

About two miles into our walk the kids were growing tired of the dirty streets and the dog poop hopping.  Seriously, no one picks up after their dogs and it was absolutely gross hoping over the massive amounts of poop in the streets.  We had no choice and had to keep moving until we found taxis, a cathedral, a palace or something.  So far we were unimpressed.  Finally we found two taxis at the same time and jumped in with our directions to take us to the Cathedral.

Spotted these two cuties as we rode in separate taxis around town
Mallorca, Spain January 2013

We finally made it to the Cathedral of Mallorca!
January 2013

Inside of the Cathedral, all decorated for the holidays
January 2013

The Calthedral of Mallorca is huge, www.catedraldemallorca.info.  It cost us 6E each to get in, but 10-years and younger are free.  Our lucky day.  The kids were not very excited to be in yet another church so they sat while Trent and I made our rounds.  It is a huge cathedral built over a 200 year time span from 1300-1500’s.  It was massive and as all buildings this size, it is hard to imagine building this without modern technology.  We made our rounds in the cathedral and our real excitement didn’t start until we found the water closet and Bella needed to use it.  

On the floor of the cathedral.  I thought this was an interesting mural
inside of a cathedral
Mallorca, January 2013

The bathroom signs on the doors were a little confusing for some at the Mallorca Cathedral
January 2013

She walked in the bathroom and I waited outside with the boys.  I could see straight into the stall door since the door to the bathroom was open.  While we were waiting we noticed the door to the mens room was closed, and for some reason this confused the men trying to use the bathroom and they began going into the womens bathroom.  Colton wanted to solve this problem and decided to shut the women’s room so everyone could see the signs.  For some reason a Spanish woman working the water closets was not happy with his closing of the womens bathroom door and murmured something to Colon.  A little humiliated, we continued to wait on Bella.  We didn’t have to wait long for her crying to draw me into the restroom to find out she couldn’t get the bathroom door unlocked.  Of course this drew a crowd and because the bathroom door went to about 6” off the ground I didn’t see any hope of her crawling under, nor did I really want her head pressed against the floor of this foreign bathroom.  Five minutes of crying, more and more people trying to help and with Clay finally willing to go into the womens room to see if he could fit his head under the door to help his sister she finally got the door unlatched.  Our goal was to get out of there as quick as possible.  

Leah points the way to the Arab Baths
Mallorca, January 2013

Navigating one of the tiny streets in this city and trying to keep the kids safe was
a little crazy
Mallorca, January 2013

From the Mallorca Cathedral we moved onto our next site to see and that was the Arab Baths more info can be found at www.mallorcaweb.com.  The baths date back to the tenth century.  With a few signs we were finally able to find our destination, not far from the cathedral but down some very windy streets.  The Arab baths were basically steam saunas back in the day with a beautiful garden court yard.  Since this sight was off the beaten path we had it pretty much to ourselves so Trent and I took some photos and then took a seat to rest a little.  By now we had walked about four miles with all six kiddos.  The kids began a fun little game of tag in the courtyard around the greenery and it was all fun and games until Leah took a front face plant into a puddle of mud.  We were soon off again with looks of distain from our Spanish friends.

Arab Baths in Mallorca
January 2013

In the gardens of the Arab Baths
Mallorca, January 2013

Since she didn’t get too dirty we were able to keep on going and were thrilled that our back alley walking, where we almost were hit by several cars, street cleaners,  and dump trucks,  finally came out to a main shopping district.  This made us all a little happier especially when we found a candy store called, La Cure Gourmande, www.la-cure-gourmande.es.  Then of course just two doors down we came across a crepe place and the kids had to make a second stop for crepes.  Of course more food equals more drinking and more drink in small bladders means we’ve got to find another restroom.  Ahhh Bella, sometimes traveling with a five-year-old can be so much fun.  Thankfully children needing to use a restroom is a universal problem that crosses all culture boundaries and so many store owners, and restaurants were very kind and let us use their restrooms where ever we went.

Finding a great candy store in downtown Mallorca made our day!
Mallorca, January 2013

Walking the narrow streets and dodging cars
Mallorca, January 2013

So happy to find this place just when we needed some refreshment
Mallorca January 2013

It was now time to make a decision.  It was getting close to 1:00 in the afternoon and we needed to decide if we wanted to eat lunch or find our next sight seeing destination.  Granted the kids had just had candy at a candy store and crepes on the street but I voted for food since mom needed another rest.  Our goal in finding food is that it looks good, the establishment looks clean but not too fancy, no one wants six kids sitting at tiny tables with wine glasses.  Also just finding a place in Europe that can sit eight people, preferably inside, because the weather was on the cool side.  We happened to find a taxi stand and a restaurant at the same time.  Gino’s was clean, very large for European standards, and luckily was opening its doors at exactly 1:00 and we were the first customers of the day, more info can be found at www.ginos.es.  At that point I didn’t care what they served I felt like this was providence.  

Lexi and Leah loved eating pizza for lunch almost everyday of the trip!
Mallorca, January 2013

Of course it was Italian food on a Spanish island but we didn’t care.  Give us some more pizza we were ready.  By now even Clay had grown to enjoy pizza if we served it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  We ordered our standard five pizzas, a few appetizers, and everyone was able to rest and of course use the restroom.  

Colton took the extra pizza to go and ended up eating it twenty minutes later when we arrived at the Bellver Castle
Mallorca, January 2013

During our trip while we wait for our food to be prepared, we usually end up playing a lot of games to keep the kids busy.  We start off with a simplified jeopardy in which I make up the questions and pick either the big kids or the little kids as able to answer the question.  From there our game mutates to other versions of this game with kids asking questions, and then we have spelling bees or if all else fails we play telephone.  It makes for some pretty crazy meals and the kids love having fun with one another.  Though Trent and I just wish sometimes we could take another table close by and have a romantic meal on this island in the Mediterranean we try and stay focused on why we are here as a family and the camaraderie we are trying to cultivate.  

Posing outside of the Bellver Castle with our whole family!
Mallorca, January 2013

After paying our bill we headed out to find taxis.  We had one more site to see before heading back to our boat and we were determined to see it, The Bellver Castle. More info can be found at www.mallorcatour.net This castle is located about a mile and a-half outside of town up on a hill.  It gives a beautiful view of the city and the marina and again is amazing architecture from something built in the 1300’s.  Though it’s been used for many purposes it is just a museum now. 

Taking some model shots while we wait for Dad and Clay to buy our entrance tickets
Mallorca, January 2013

After our taxi fare of about 5E each taxi to get up there, yes we have to take two taxi’s where ever we go, it was free to get in the castle.  It wasn’t supposed to be a free admission into the castle but the ticket machine was broken and once Trent explained that to the ticket taker at the gate we were waved through at no charge.  I’m not sure if I loved the castle so much because it was free or if it looked like castles in my dreams look but it was a beautiful castle.  Just like any fairytale except it wasn’t a fairytale this was a real life castle.  We took a lot of pictures, read about the history of this ancient place and enjoyed all the displays that were open to the public.  The kids only got yelled at once for climbing on an old well in the center of the castle so I felt like it had been a successful visit.  

The beautiful views of Mallorca from the Bellver Castle
Mallorca, January 2013

Bailey getting all snug into the castle walls
Mallorca, January 2013

Bailey overlooking the harbor from the top of the Bellver Castle
Mallorca, January 2013

I should mention that my kids got yelled at a lot while we were on this European vacation.  I’m not sure why that was since I don’t think they acted any worse than they do in the US.  However, my theory is that Europeans look at children as being all of their responsibility and not just the parents, so they feel just fine reprimanding a child who isn’t theirs unlike in the US where most of us leave it to the parents to say something.  I can’t say it ever hurt my feelings or embarrassed me.  Maybe it is because I don’t speak any of their languages or maybe because they most seemed to give me a sly smile after their reprimand which made me feel like “I got this lady, no worries.”  Either way, I was appreciative because after 13 days of reprimanding them I enjoyed hearing others do my job.  Of course I don’t think Trent feels the same way... ;)

Clay inside the castle peeking over the second floor balcony
Mallorca, January 2013

Bailey trying to keep the statues modest at the castle
Believe it or not she's not even touching this statue
Mallorca, January 2013

Leave it to Bella to find a nice little nook to crawl into and out of reach of Mom and Dad
Mallorca, January 2013

Colton is acting out the part
Mallorca, January 2013

Lastly, after our kinda disappointing day in Mallorca, I think this is really meant to be a summer destination.  We probably didn’t enjoy it like we could have because it is known for being a beach and water activity type island.  If I could come back I’d like to come in the summer months when I could enjoy this island during its prime season.  I’d also like to get outside of the city and visit some of the other smaller towns that are known for their big handicraft events or even go across the island and visit the caverns on the cliffside of Mallorca.  Maybe next time Mallorca you will leave me in a better mood but until then, pass some laws on dog poop on the side walks, and do a little power washing on your apartment buildings and I’ll see you in the summer....

Bailey inside the castle walls
Mallorca, January 2013

All eight of us inside the Bellver Castle
Mallorca, January 2013

Safe and Happy Travels!!