Caesarea- Day 2

Caesarea was built as part of Herod the Great's ambitious plan to "Hellenise" the Holy Land in the 1st century BCE. He chose the site of a small Phoenician port called Stratton's Tower and laid out a classical Greek city, complete with amphitheatre and stadium. Herod also constructed an artificial harbor by making use of concrete piling under water - the first ever such use of concrete.

During Roman rule Caesarea was the capital of Palestine. It was here where Cornelius, the Roman centurion, was converted by Peter; Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome; and where the leaders of the Bar Kochba revolt were tried and executed, including Akiva.

Caesarea is well-known as an archaeological site preserving the original theater built by Herod, replica of the Pontius Pilot inscription, Byzantine Archive Buildings, Cardo Maximus as well as bath-houses, ware houses, an amphitheatre and the harbor.

Welcome to Tel Aviv- Israel

So I know I am a total slacker and have said for quite some time now that I would post my pictures from Israel but things have been a little busy. This might take me a really long time to post everything but I will do my best.

Our first day we flew from Atlanta to New York and had a layover for a few hours and then headed over to Israel late at night so everyone could sleep on the way over. It was so awesome. The plane was HUGE. I finally got to ride my double Decker plane.

We arrived early the next morning but it was already the late afternoon for them so there really wasn't much left to do that day. We were able to drive to the Mediterranean and see where Jonah was swallowed by the whale.