Ein Bokek – Dead Sea Public Beach

 Opening Hours：07:00-17:00 (You can probably still stay around since there isn’t really a “gate”)

 Fee：Free

 Facility：Shower, lifeguard

Location: At the southern tip of Jerusalem. It takes 1.5 hours from Jerusalem

Travel Tip

Take #444 or #485 from platform 4 on the 3rd floor of Jerusalem Central Bus Station. (Book in advance if you are taking #444, Customer Service Center *2800)

Use the Rav-kav machine nearby before getting on the bus, and find #375 day pass (a special contract that allows you unlimited movement in the designated area, read more about it here)

 The #375 contract costs 40NIS. It will include all your transportation in Jerusalem, and down to Ein Bokek, Masada etc. A single ride to Ein Bokek costs 30NIS, so you are saving a lot! I strongly recommended making the effort to buy it!

The Get-Off Location

I took 444 and told the driver that I wanted to get off at Ein Bokek. Somehow I was dropped at Hod Hotel, still, an 8 minutes walk to the beach. The closest stop would have been Oasis Hotel.

On the good side, there’s a mall in Hod Hotel. There’s a McDonalds inside plus souvenir shops. You can get Dead Sea mud for 5 NIS!

Ein Bokek Public Beach

If you have been to Jordanian side… yes, the public beach in Ein Bokek will surprise you! The beach is clean and chilled! It’s incredibly beautiful and pretty much everything you have been dreaming about the Dead Sea!

Maybe just try not to come during summer. Haha!

Facilities

There is a couple of shower facility in the open area.

Changing room! Very basic though, there’s no door.

Say hi to the lifeguard! (He’s inside) (Don’t say hi, I’m kidding)

I think I was supposed to see a water drinking facility and lockers… but I didn’t. Anyways, I saw toilets and amazingly it is free to enter!! When you just got used to how expensive everything in Israel is…. and Israel surprises you again!

Oh, but it isn’t too clean here. It is bearable.

Paid Facilities

You can rent a parasol for 10NIS, beach chair for 10NIS, sunbed for 15NIS and a table for 10NIS.

I guess, if you want to stay for a long time, you do need a chair.

The sharing code of this day pass is #501, and the cost is 21.5 ONLY!

How Do I know #501 is Right For me?

Well, first of all, the idea of Day Pass means you can have unlimited travel in certain areas/zones. If you are making a day trip, then get a day pass!

Without a day pass, the train from Haifa to Akko would cost you  ₪13.5 already! Plus you need to consider a single bus ride would cost you ₪5.9. That’s almost the same as buying a #501 day pass, which would cost you ₪21.5 ONLY. And plus you get to travel unlimited in Haifa and Akko.

If you are not returning to Haifa on the same day, then you don’t need to buy a day pass.

And if you are exploring beyond Akko from Haifa in one day, then check other options here.

There are many options. But if you don’t want to overcomplicate thing, just remember #501 is the right pass for Akko from Haifa.

How to Purchase Day Pass from the Train Station in Haifa?

1. You Need a Rav-Kav card

There are two types of Rav-Kav cards. The anonymous one costs 5NIS, the personal one is free but you need to go to certain sales points. Get a Rav-Kav card that suits your need!

2. Tell the Ticket Counter “#501”

Tell the counter that you want to purchase “Day Pass #501”. You can buy your Rav-Kav, load it, and purchase this day pass from the counter. And then you will receive a receipt which is most likely useless as all data is stored in the card!

Alternatively, you can use a ticket machine and choose from the screen.

Once you have bought your day pass, it will be stored in your Rav-Kav card.

Types of Transportation You’ll Encounter

1.Train (Haifa to Akko)

You’ll use this type of train.

Once a day pass package is recorded in your card, you will not be charged anything extra when you validate your Rav-Kav to go in and out of the train station.

2.Bus (Akko Train Station to Old Town)

You can take unlimited bus rides for free with a day pass, but you still need to validate your Rav-Kav as you board the bus.

Normally, you will get a receipt. It doesn’t have any use though.

3.Metronit or Buses (Haifa)

If your hostel or hotel is not in walking distance from the train station in Haifa, then you can use Metronit or bus for free too!

Land Border

These are the 3 land crossings. They all have two names… That is why it can be confusing sometimes.

Here’s the confusing part: Which border accepts Jordan Pass? (equivalent to visa), and the other rules.

Basically, all 3 crossings accept Jordan Pass, including King Hussein Bridge/Allenby Bridge crossing!

Opening Hours on Jewish Holidays

Note that during Jewish holidays, the opening hours are shortened. It’s recommended that you refer to this document to confirm the hours.

And just a heads up on how a ‘day’ is defined. Jewish days start 6 hours earlier. So if 19th Sep is the Day of Atonement, that actually means the sunset on 18th. So it means there will be no public transportation afternoon on 18th. You just have to convert the time, as this is something that “you are supposed to know” in Israel!

Transportation Tips

1. Jordan River Crossing

Go to Beit She’an by bus. Then it’s ₪50 a taxi to the border. Luggage is ₪5 a piece. Remember there’s a departure tax for ₪106. Shuttle Bus between two borders is compulsory and charges ₪5.5. From Jordanian side, get a taxi to Amman for 44JD. Alternatively, spend some time in Jerash before going to Amman, expect to pay 55-60JD.

You can read this experience here.

3. Yitzhak Rabin Crossing

There are two borders in Eilat. One goes to Aqaba in Jordan. The other goes to Taba in Egypt. Don’t go to the wrong border! From Jerusalem, taxi bus 444, get off early at Rabbin border-Road 90, then walk to the border! 

Bahai faith, a religion with 6 million followeres in 225 countries. The founder is buried right here in Bahai Garden in Haifa.  Since 2008, the place is chosen as UNESCO world heritage site. The view is spectacular from here. For many tourists from non-Christian background, this is the top destination in Israel. So what’s so special about this place? And what is Bahai faith about? 

The garden has 3 parts.  Think it as 3 different parks because entrances are separated, opening hours are different and they are not connected to each other.

• Upper Garden (45 Yefe Nof Street)：Free Guided Tour Meets Here! English Tour at 12 PM and sometimes 10 AM (Entrance is allowed only with a guided tour. Go to Balcony for good views on 61 Yefe Nof Street if you miss the tour)
• The Shrine (80 Hatzionut Avenue)：Open till 12 PM
• Lower Garden (German Colony Plaza)：9AM-5PM

This is the view from Upper Garden. You have to attend a guided tour (free) to see this.

And the view from the lower garden is like this. It’s still nice but not as nice.

You’ll notice this park from afar. And you will see how pretty it is from outside. The lower garden (9am-5pm) is from the entrance here to the first white balcony in this picture. That’s it! So I would recommend taking the free panorama tour to see the upper garden!

Free Panorama Tour

There is no tour on Wednesday. Tours in English are available at noon. I think I high season, the extra tour is available at 10 am as well. Always check the official website for details. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before starting time.

The exact location is marked Upper Terrace Tour on Google Maps.

It’s 2 minutes walk from the bus stop.

Panorama Route would take you from upper garden to the shrine. From 45 Yefe Nof Street, you’ll end at 80 Hatzionut Avenue. And if you wish to return to Yefe Nof Street for Louis Promenade… you cannot walk through the garden. (So plan your trip accordingly! Leave some time to visit the promenade first). And the shrine only opens till 12. So if you attend the tour at 12, you won’t be able to see the shrine inside.

Things to Know

Eating, chewing gum, touching plants are not allowed. Turn your phone on silent. Be careful with slippery floor etc. Photography is allowed. Modest clothing required (no pants above knees for men and women).

If there are more than 50 people, they might not take more visitors. But from my experience, there were 2 guides and we were split into two groups, with about 30 people in each group.

Before entering, bags will be checked. Your food will not be confiscated but you are not allowed to eat anything inside the garden.

The Origin of Bahai Faith

According to the guide, there were two founders of Bahai Faith. The first founder was born as Siyyid `Alí Muhammad, a Shiite Muslim from Iran (Persia).  When he was 24 years old, he founded Bahai faith in 1844. He said he was the Messiah, and his name changed to Báb, the meaning is “door”. He was influential and had many followers, and so he was persecuted and killed at the age of 30.

His followers were persecuted, but still, some chose to hide his bones (very risky). And later in 1909, his remains were brought to Mt.Carmel, and he was buried where the shrine is. Mt. Carmel, “God’s vineyard” in Hebrew, is holy to Jews, Christian, Muslim, Druze and to Bahai believers too.

Before Báb died, he prophesied that someone like Elijah and John the Baptist would come. And this successor would expand Bahai faith. Many claimed to be this second prophet, but finally, Bahá’u’lláh (the name means “Glory of God) came. He was also a Persian from a prominent family. Though he was persecuted too, he was only imprisoned and expelled in various prisons in the Ottoman Empire, with Akko being the last stop. He wrote many articles in prison, he was married three times and had many children. When he was still alive, he was allowed to visit Haifa, so he came to this spot in Haifa 4 times with his son. And finally, he buried  Báb‘s remains here.

Out of the 6 million believers of Bahai faith, most of them are in Asia, particularly 2 million of them are in India. If you’ve been to New Delhi, you might have seen this ‘Lotus Temple’ right? This is one of the 7 Bahai house of worship in the world.

Bahai Garden

Why so many people visit Bahai Gardens in Haifa? I wondered that. Most people on the tour I attended were not Bahai followers. But this place attracts people as it carries the fame of UNESCO world heritage site since 2008, great views, and probably we all have the curiosity to Bahai faith…. and this is a free thing to do in Israel!

Why is it free? The guide said, “It’s a gift for everybody”.

Báb‘s shrine was built in 1953. Then the garden was built from 1989 to 2001 by another Canadian Bahai follower. Each year, 650 volunteers from all over the world come to take care of the garden. According to Bahá’u’lláh‘s law, it is forbidden to start a Bahai community in Haifa. So all volunteers are from overseas. Why did Bahá’u’lláh make this rule? There’s no explanation but his followers think that’s his wisdom. So Bahai faith found a place to exist here.

Why are there so many levels?

From the upper garden to the shrine in the center is 9 levels. Plus the shrine is 1 level. And then there are 9 levels in the lower garden. So the total is 19 levels.

19 is an important number to Báb because when he said he was the Messiah, h  had 18 followers in the beginning. (Plus himself, so 19).

The guide said except for the number 19, every other symbol seen in this garden doesn’t have any special meaning. The plants chosen don’t have meanings.

We were mostly taking pictures. Our guide didn’t talk much. We simply enjoyed this beautiful garden. 

It’s free and open to visitors because Bahai followers want to show people a serene and beautiful world. They stress on ‘peace’, and that ‘we can make this world that we live in a beautiful place’. So this Bahai Garden is a sample, to demonstrate Bahai belief.

It’s not hard to understand, because the concept of paradise garden originated from Persia.

Actually, I saw this and felt quite relaxed. The garden is well maintained. It isn’t hard to understand why people are drawn to know Bahai faith! 

Bahai Faith and Beliefs

There are many articles online. So below is what my guide said, and I will share my perspective as a Chinese Christian afterward:

Bahai believes in 1 God. This God is the God who created the world, and He wants people to know Him. There are many religions in the world, and each era has its own prophet(s) who spoke to that generation. Hence there will be new prophets conveying the words of God. But all religions believe in 1 same God. From Abraham to Bahá’u’lláh, one God.

Bahai faith stresses on

• Equality:  Men and women, rich and poor, everyone is equal.
• Democracy: Everyone is a creature. There are no clergymen in Bahai faith. Everyone can pray and search the truth independently. One can pray anywhere and in any way as there’s no formality in prayers and rituals.
• Peace:  Bahais are making this world a better place NOW instead of waiting for the world to come. Bahai will help the society to mature in spiritual things, and bring peace. Then there will be no wars.

In Bahai’s democratic system, a community (with more than 10 members) can vote. A country will have 9 voted council member. Each year 9 global council members will be voted and will stay in Universal house of Justice here in Bahai gardens for 5 years! They will do administration work here. There’s also a media outreach center, archive library and research center etc.

The guide said all Bahai followers pray in their own native tongue. The prayer book Bahá’u’lláh wrote is translated into 800 languages!

Alright, so most people who were paying attention to our guide looked marveled. They appreciated what was presented to them, because doesn’t this sound nice? Everyone is equal, no need for going to church, everyone can pray and this is how our society needs this peace…

When our guide finished, she asked us if anyone had any question. I asked a few, maybe it is too practical, but I could see how that changed the directions to the questions raised afterward.

• Who will visit the sick and pray for the sick?
• Is abortion allowed?
• What’s the view on LBGT or transgender in Bahai faith?

Well, the guide said everyone could pray for the sick. Abortion is not allowed because that equals to killing life. And transgender is allowed because everyone is equal. And there’s no homosexual issue in the time of Bahá’u’lláh so we don’t know. But Bahá’u’lláh said new prophets would give teachings to their generations.

As someone who comes from a Chinese background, there’s Daoism and Buddhism. So I am well aware of how evil spirits haunt people, and how it is preached that by meditating harder, or trying harder than you will be able to achieve a higher status.  So that is why spiritual things don’t work that way, you can never reach find ‘peaceful mind’ by meditation. The reality is that we are living in this life, and we have so many issues.

Some are suicidal, some have depression, some keep seeing ghosts, some live in accusations, some are raped from a young age, some have marital problems and some are drug addicts etc.

So how is faith isn’t about formality or religious appearance and rituals? When people are in pain, they need real strength, hope, and strength. It is POWER! If you are drowning in water, you cannot imagine yourself standing on the shore, and then you’ll have peace of mind. Well…  you’ll still be drowning in that case.

There are so many people in Chinese society who found out the difference between church and all those mysticism, folk beliefs and other philosophies which sounded nice, is the JOY, HEALING, HOPE, STRENGTH that they find here because of one true God has provided a way out for us.

God acts as the powerful force that pulls people from drowning lives, or darkness we say. God let us know ‘He can!’ and not “I can”. He is the one who stands on the shore, from another world and another level, and pulls us, all of us.  His love is a gift to us, it’s redemption.  Only He paid the price so we may live. He paid our ransom so we may have freedom. There’s been an exchange.

This Creator God is not asking us to be ‘better selves’. His focus isn’t on this temporary world, but how we as creatures have a relationship with Him as friends, father-son, husband-wife, king-servant. He wants our lives to be filled with His love after going through brokenness so we can touch other souls and share this great news of what He has done.  We are here not because we have to make this world a better place, but that He wants us to know Him.

God is light. Eventually, He will take back the glory that belongs to Him. We are His. Peace is found when we are touched by His gentleness and love, and we will realize how we are not alone in this world. Relying on philosophies or ideologies or eastern mysticism cannot give you that, I am so sure.

And finally, if I’m now to talk about how Bahai faith contradicts to Christian beliefs, it would be endless. It won’t be possible that Buddhist, Muhammed, 33 million Hindu gods, Chinese gods are all one God.

The Bible has many prophecies that point to redemption, for example, being born in Bethlehem, a branch of Jesse, a Nazareth, entering Jerusalem on a colt, and having a pioneer like Elijah.  Jesus (Yeshua) perfectly fulfilled more than 30 of those prophecies. And His birth, death and second coming to align with the God of Israel’s festivals (moadim). He is the Passover Lamb. He is the high priest who atoned for our sins. He is the atonement. He is the firstfruit. And the Holy Spirit was poured down and the gentile world gets to know about this Jewish Messiah. And finally Sukkoth, a feast of the tabernacle. He will be with us because His name is “Emmanuel” God is with us.

There’s only one path, one door. And one God who deserves to be praised. As a Christian, I’m not expecting a successful or easy life. But we know where real hope comes when we face persecution. We know Yeshua is the door of salvation, that takes us to redemption. In fact, Yeshua means to save in salvation. There is no other way or other truth.

However, the tour is free! It’s always nice to learn something new. For example, the founder of Bahai faith created this faith when he was only 24 years old…. and his followers died for him and what they believed. Well, how are we doing as Christians today? No wonder God doesn’t want us to be lukewarm. His love for us has never been just lukewarm.

Oh! And there’s toilet (free to use)!

The Templars built an escape tunnel from Akko fort to the ocean in 12th century. The site was discovered in 1994, and even today you’d be impressed by this tunnel!

Access-free facility available.

Don’t forget to come here with your combined ticket after visiting Akko fort.

This is the entrance to the tunnel~ It doesn’t look too impressive, but it’s quite fun down there! They sell entrance ticket for 15NIS here, but this attraction is already included in your combined ticket to Akko fort (40NIS).

It’s not easy to find. Google Maps GPS doesn’t work well in the old city. And the entrance isn’t on the map… 

I locate myself in Khan Al-Umdan first, then followed the signs.

There are some stairs (but it’s accessible as there’s an elevator). Animations showing the history of how crusaders got here.

There are two tunnels actually! Still remodeling as of 2018. This isn’t the path opened to tourist. Haha! Don’t worry!

Now, this is the way prepared for tourists. Crusaders conquered Jerusalem from the hands of Muslims in 1099. One of the “order” is called “Templars”. Their role was to take care of patients and pilgrims. But soon, very soon, in 1187 Salah Al-Din defeated crusaders again! So the Templars retreated to Akko!

This tunnel would have connected the fort to the Mediterranean Sea!

In 1291, Akko was destroyed and was renovated in the 18th century. And this tunnel was discovered in 1994 because someone had a sewage problem, And voila, this tunnel with 800 years of garbage and waste was found!

350 meter is not that long, but I was impressed the first time I came here! 

Yay! This is the exit! The sea! It would have been nice if the weather wasn’t like this! 

This is what the exit looks like.

The port at night! The lighthouse is right in the background, and you feel the beauty of this ancient city!

This is a tip given by bus driver.

Change bus at “Golani”. All buses from here will go to Tiberias!

Golani Interchange

Get on any bus from Nazareth Central Station to Golani Interchange/Northbound. The map says 35 minutes but it took 1 hour. The ride was for 12.5 NIS.  I took bus #30 to Golani. There are many options!

Get Off at：Golani Interchange/Northbound

Then from Northbound, you walk 1 minute to the bus stop that is Eastbound. Any bus that passes through this stop will head to Tiberias. The map says 16 minutes though it took 25 minutes. Ticket fare was 10.5 NIS.

Board at：Golani Interchange/Eastbound

A local here told me to catch a bus that starts with 4. It has fewer stops.

Any of these buses from Golani interchange will go to Tiberias!

So this was what I did!! Easy right?

Location

It’s 5 minutes walk from Haifa Hashmona. The road is mostly flat.

It’s 3 minutes walk to Metronit station (below) or to a bus stop that goes to Nazareth. A 24-hour grocery store is nearby. The hostel gave me a printed map! It was easy to navigate around!

Port Inn looks like a normal house from outside. Looks cozy even from outside. You enter with code. Or ring the bell for the reception.

This building next to Port Inn (blue gate) is a part of Port Inn too (only the second floor I think). The room with a red curtain was where I stayed.

There’s a hallway when you enter, and on the left is this common area with 3 desktop computers/ luggage room.

And on the right is the reception (I didn’t take any photo), and then 2 lounges. One is this one with lots of Bahai paintings

The other is like a living room and dining room. A mini kitchen is here (anyone can use it)

Oh! And there’s a nice garden! From here you can walk to parking… and that is why there’s a coded door before you enter the computer room.

The reception I met was informative. She looked tired, but she was friendly and helpful. She even asked if I needed help with my luggage. That’s such a polite gesture!

I paid $51.47 for a double room, with shared bath, and no breakfast. A dorm bed comes with breakfast and is for $25, but I figured I need better sleep more than free breakfast.

These rooms without sensors are probably dorms.

And our tiny double room! Small but comfortable! Plugs are easily found. Two towels per head! I was surprised! We stayed for 2 nights, and I was surprised that housekeeping came and changed new towels for us!

The receptionist showed us everything before she left. The shower is here. You can take really hot showers here (unlike…… forget it, haha!)

Toilet next to it. There’s another bathroom with shower and bath together. I didn’t see anyone else using the bathroom or toilet here, even though all rooms were sold out during my stay. Weird huh!

Tiny kitchen. Crockery. Oven. Microwave. Fridge.

I forgot how much was breakfast for. I would guess $10/head. Options seem limited.

The very informative receptionist gave my maps! I met 2 other receptionists later. They were all good friends and gave good vibes.  She suggested us to check out Wadi Nisnas.

The map of Haifa～

The surrounding area. You don’t even need google when you have this map. Haha!

The grocery store nearby. I couldn’t communicate with the shopkeeper here. He’s a Catholic Arab, 35 years old. His dad is 60 and his mom 50. I somehow know this because I wanted to know if his family had been in this land for generations, and we had a gap in communication.

So, it is a good choice! From other options that I see, this is the best you can get!

By the way, one of the receptionists was a Christian Arab. She said most people don’t know 20% of the population are Arab!

I recommend Port Inn

Port Inn in Haifa — 2018

Comment：Very friendly. Good breakfast. 24 hours snack in lobby. The room is not big.

Taking a boat ride in the Sea of Galilee? Sounds like something you’d do in the Bible! But that’s definitely an experience you CAN have when you come to Israel, the land of the Bible. If you want to go on a worship boat (Christian songs and dances) then check out Daniel’s worship boat! The ride is for about an hour and the price is 50NIS. Call 1-2 days in advance if you are individuals to make a reservation.

Daniel’s Worship Boat

My Experience

I made my reservation by calling 2 days in advance. Daniel confirmed the availability with us. It’s recommended to arrive the dock at least 10 minutes before departure. (And it takes at least 4 minutes to walk from parking to the dock)

A boat could host 40 people I think. There’s not much difference sitting on either side. The group we joined was a 20-people group from the Netherlands. Then it’s another family and us. That’s all!

Feel free to walk around and take pictures!

The Docks

I took my ride from Ginosar Kibbutz. Better with a car.  

You’ll find yourself entering Ginosar kibbutz (tell the guard “boat ride”). Park your car and walk towards the Boat museum (there is a boat from Yeshua’s time)

You’ll see the dock right behind the museum!

And voila!

Other Option?

You can probably find a boat ride in Tiberias. For 30 minutes it costs ₪30. No reservation needed.

Honest Opinion?

Well, it depends on your budget. For me, a boat ride is “okay” experience. But for some people, this is once in a lifetime thing. If you are going on a boat ride, as Christian it makes sense to book Daniel’s worship boat.

Yes, I know ₪50 is not ₪30, but this is what Daniel does for a living. And plus the ride comes with worship and it is longer. On the other hand, see it as a way to bless the Messianic community!

Other video

Elijah is a very important prophet for Jews, Islamists, Druze, and Catholics. As Mount Carmel is a mountain range, in the downtown area of Haifa there are two sites commemorating Elijah. One is Stella Maris Monastery, used by Catholics, and nearby is Cave of Elijah, used by Jewish community. It is believed that Elijah stayed here before he fought with prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Many Jews pray here because Elijah healed the widow of Zarephath.

You can visit the place as Non-Jews. No admission fee but make sure you don’t disturb people who are praying! In Haifa, a single ticket allows free transfers in 90 minutes, so you can easily come here before going to the Baha’i Garden!

The entrance…

Elijah and the widow of Zarephath

Elijah healed the son of the widow of Zarephath. Therefore people believe that praying in Elijah’s cave will let their prayers asking for healing and kids be heard.

 After these things, it came to pass that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house fell sick, and his sickness was getting much worse until he had no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, “What do I have to do with you, man of God? Have you come to me to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

He said to her, “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her arms, carried him up to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his own bed.  He cried out to Adonai and said, “Adonai my God, have You brought such evil even on the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?” Then he stretched himself upon the child three times. He cried out to Adonai and said, “Adonai my God, please let this child’s soul come back into his body!”

Adonai listened to the cry of Elijah, so the soul of the child came back into his body and he was revived. Then Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “See! Your son is alive.” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word in your mouth is truth.”

The meaning of Elijah’s name

Elijah’s name is in 2 parts. Eli means my God. And Jah is God’s name, like “hallelujah” (praise Yah). So Elijah’s name means “My God is YHVH”

Cave of Elijah

Follow Google Maps, walk through underpass and climb through a flight of stairs, then you’ll reach Elijah’s cave. Stella Maris Monastery is accessible by bus, cable car or hiking. I didn’t have that much time so I visited the Cave of Elijah only.

Mount Carmel isn’t one mountain, rather it’s mountain range. 

This building in front of the cave is a hostel for Jewish pilgrims.

The rock …. yes it looks like a mountain where caves can be found.

Stations for Candle stands. It reminds me that candles are widely used in Catholic Churches too.

An empty chair in a corner, with a donation box on it. It reminds me how an empty chair is always left for Elijah in Pesach (passover).

Now let’s get inside the cave.  Jewish people would wash their hands first. I saw Japanese watching hands before entering Japanese shrines, maybe that shows how mankind in general knows we are not clean.

A two-handled vessel is used to obtain ritually clean status. The prayer should be said (written on the wall), thanking the God of universe for giving the commandment of washing hands.

I think we were the only non-Jews and the only Asians… but no on stopped us! So we went in.

I was curious why wine opener is here and why cups! I know wine is used in giving blessings, but in what circumstance would one come here with wine? Hmm…

If you are female, go to your left. It’s opposite to what it is at the kotel.

My first impression of the cave…. wow, what a cool cave! It’s nice and spacious. You can host a ceremony here. There are two cavities, one in girl’s section, and the other is on the eastern wall, covered by a black curtain. 

I saw mostly women here. Maybe men are working? Or maybe it is a feminine issue when it comes to barrenness or sickness. Or maybe girls turn to God in need of help.

Why is cloth hung? Information I found online says this is what is done in holy places. Catholics recommend bringing strings of clothes before coming to Israel too. But I need more background on this.

I remember I saw Japanese purchasing prayer boards to be hung in shrines. I see the desires people have for God. For me it is shocking, since I grew up in a baptist church. God’s presence is precious but for me God is reachable, as I have experienced again and again what Yeshua said,

“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you.

I sincerely hope people who prayed would experience God’s presence soon.

Billboard and bookshelf is served as separation wall of two sections.

The other cavity is on the left behind the black curtain. It’s for 1 person to used, so whoever wishes to pray privately can go there. 

Tehilah～ Book of praises.

The oldest carving on the wal comes from Byzantine period. Do I think Elijah came here? Why not! I don’t think there are that many caves like this in Mount Carmel anyways!

Another box for collecting prayers…

Toilet is free to use but it’s not so clean!

• How to buy a single ride ticket
• The experience of transfers
• Things to know before you board Metronit

If you don’t have a Rav-kav already, then buy one from Metronit ticket machine. It costs 5 NIS.

Click the third option if you are buying a single ticket, “Choose a ticket to use”.

It will show your balance. And then click “Select”!

Then choose your zone that you’d like to travel. The cheapest option “5.9NIS” is for Haifa city. It includes going to Mt.Carmel and Bahai Gardens etc.

Then you can choose how many tickets you’d like to buy (up to 9 I think)

My Experience: Elijah Cave + Bahai Gardens

Once you buy your single ticket, the ticket will be loaded to your Rav-kav. The validity is for 90 minutes. I took Metronit 1 from Haifa HaShmona to Allenby (where Elijah’s Cave is). The ride was 14 minutes. It would have cost 5.9NIS for this ride already.

Instead of paying again, with this ticket I took Metronit 1 from Allenby to Dolfin. Then I took bus 136 to Bahai Gardens for the Upper Terrace Tour. The ride was 20-30 minutes. I didn’t pay again because of the 90 minutes rule! 

So for 3 rides, I paid once. 5.9NIS. And plus when you load Rav-kav stored value, you get 25% extra. So I think the real cost was 4.7NIS!

Things to know before boarding Metronit

When we board a bus we know we should look for a sensor or the driver, but the rule for Metronit is different!!! Please know:

• Validate your card BEFORE you board Metronit 
• Validate AGAIN when you make a transfer 

There are 3 devices you’d see in a Metronit station

The one on the left is the validation sensor. The one in the middle is sensor plus you can pay with credit card. And the last one on the right is the ticket machine introduced in the beginning of this article.

This is the validation sensor device. Just ‘beep’ it! I bought 2 single tickets with this Raw-kav. There’s no discount but at least you only need to beep it once!

If you try validating again, there will be no deduction. “Already validated” will pop on the screen! 

The device in the machine. The one that allows you to pay with credit card! How cool!

You don’t need to validate when you get off the Metronit or bus.

References：

https://www.anglo-list.com/general-3/transport-18/haifa-metronit

http://www.metrobus.gov.il/documents/10180/1044219/Mapt_Reshet_Metroint%2848×33%29-eng.pdf/09219129-13a0-44e0-9981-6a743df2c413

ערך צבור

ערך צבור