A few words now and then on here hardly do this experience justice but I think I have managed to mention a few factoids, kind of enough to build a bit of a picture of just how significant this place has been historically. From Jesus's tomb at Easter, to the scenes of the battles for Herod's kingdom at Masada, the contested Old City with its religeous holy sites 'The Dome of the Rock' and 'Wailing Wall' and living across the road from a crusader Monestry from the...

So where did I get up to with those stories? I guess I better dig out some of the broschures and give you some proper iinformation on some of the places in the photos on here… The site of Masada was the farthest back if I remember rightly. Masada is a major tourist destination by the Dead Sea and sacred almost by folklore to the Jewish population. The Masada fortress is situated on top of an isolated plateau and while dry, provided an ideal vantage point to sp...

Hey all, Hmm I have been lazy with this blog of late. Not lazy in general but just not writing much. I am supposed to present a slideshow on the development/rehabilitation projects from Aus/Sols/Africa, so that's taken a bit of screen time. Anyway this blog is going to be a little bitsy, more of a reminder so I can tell the stories properly next time. Firstly to answer some questions, in the pics that is definately a parasitic Orobanche, well spotted Kim, I did...

This place never ceases to surprise, a quick walk to the Israel museum today offered the melodic tunes of a dreadlocked hippie wielding an oboe and content busking in the eerie darkness of graffiti stained street tunnel. Further into the park separating my apartment from the museum a folk group are pitched in a circle and strum out some Hebrew tunes before breaking into some La bamba complete with skipping and clapping. As a jogger runs past I find myself holding...

Surrounded by white cut stone walls the sun begins to set on Jerusalem. A bike rolls by to my left, almost silently and I look up from the pavement at the black coated figure with matching hat, shaved head, beard and curly side locks disappearing into the distance. It's a reminder that despite the modern similarities, I am far from Australia. Really there is no shortage of such reminders especially when visiting the Old City or market areas from which I am return...