November 8: 🚢 Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel
Shore Excursion: Lowland Caves Experience at Beit Guvrin
Knock,
knock who’s there
Skipped visiting
the breakfast venues again – there is always a bowl of fresh fruit in the room
and plenty of coffee which provides a little pickmeup for the morning.
Unfortunately, for the first time to date – we did not slide open the balcony
blinds and door. I had made an early exit from the room at 3 am chasing the Wi-Fi
signal. Both issues presented their own complications.
This early
start was a reminder of my working life and I found myself armed with multiple
devices strolling from deck to deck looking for a Wi-Fi connection that was
strong enough to upload pics. Found myself nestled up on Deck 5- a lonely but
contented soul and had the place to myself until about 5 am when an increasing
number of staff started busying themselves for the day ahead. Job completed, I
made myself a coffee and optimistically headed back to 7 and home very pleased
with my morning’s work. Unfortunately, I had been delusional in thinking I was
independent. I had diligently carried my Regent issued key card case, the actual
card was in fact in the room in the slot keeping the lights activated.
I had to
wake the “sleeping giant.” I combined multiple presses of the doorbell with
gentle taps on the door to rouse @Mac. Took a few goes, but he
eventually stumbled to the door in a half awake – half asleep trance and let me
in. I was a little surprised and somewhat comforted that he had somehow found
some shorts and a shirt to put on. He was definitely in a non-compos-mentos at
5.30 am and flopped back into bed to grab those last vital 30 minutes of sleep.
Good to
know that in an emergency he wouldn’t race in the corridors starkers! Lesson
learnt – I have now folded up a piece of cardboard to act at the holder for the
switch.
Touring in
the rain – yes, THE RAIN
A coffee
and an apple – a re-dress, right side out for @Mac, and we were 5 minutes
early for mustering. Surprised to see every other couple had an accompanying
UMBRELLA or fit for purpose rain jacket – if only we had made the time to draw
the curtains we have noted that it was pouring with rain and could have had
either one of those rain solutions. Think everyone in Ashdod and surrounds would
be welcoming the downpour – us, not so much with the daunting prospect the
muddy caves in our immediate future.
Joined @Yiftach
for our exploration of the caves and our early commentary included a
description of the Valley of Elah where David slew the might Goliath. It was
only a short drive – perhaps 40 minutes to get us to the caves at Beit Guvrim
(an ancient Judean settlement and the local playground of @Yiftach in
his youth)
Like all thoughtful
and considerate guides @Yiftach assembled us under shelter from the rain
and offered a toilet stop before our entry to the cave system. It was only such
a short time since we had left the ship I “hummed and aahed” about the offer – but
called on the mantra of “never let a toilet stop go by on tour” and eventually
caved in to peer pressure and joined the queue of ladies taking up last place. As it
would happen, my smooth baton change in the toilet relay was with @Loraine
who effortlessly swung the door open for my entry. It was a very quick “sit and
go” for me and I was conscious that I was the “last one in.”
Turned the
latch to the 6 o’clock position and pushed down and then pulled on the handle. But the latch didn’t seem to engage and the
door wouldn’t open. Tried 3 o’clock, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock all with the same
level of failure. Tried pushing. Tried pulling. Scanned the cubicle for the “Bear
Hunt” options – but I wasn’t going to be going over it or under it! Took a few
deep breaths and tried the rotation sequence again. Clockwise, Anticlockwise. Remember, I am last in –
there is no rustling or flushing going on with my fellow travellers. While I was engaged in framing my exit shenanigans,
I was giving a fleeting to thought as to whether or not @Mac would wait for me, given my door debacle of the morning.
At last, tour
group 10 arrived and I could hear conversation and doors opening. I didn’t want
to emulate the “bizarre bazaar” hyysteria of that toilet lady so tried to modulate my voice, and accompanied
by a little rattling and gentle tapping on the door, quietly and calmly, in a soft conversational
voice whispered “Help. I need a little help in here. I'm locked in.” That galvanised them into Regent Family action. The throng of ladies on
the outside of the door then tried their push and pull antics – I imagined it
was a like the “Enormous Turnip” fairy tale outside the cubicle. They collectively declared the task “impossible”
and decided that it was time to call in the “man with a key.” Very grateful
that one lady stayed with me and talked with me through the door while help was
on its way. It was a little unnerving. And true to form, as the gentleman loudly announced himself into
the lady's room and approached the door, he jangled the key and somehow,
without any intervention by him at all, the door suddenly popped open of its own accord. How embarrassing
– but it was a happy ending! Guess for those other Regent Family members I am now the Bell Cave Toilet Lady and will make dinner conversation fun for many.
Joined the smiling @Yiftach (and yes @Mac was there and hadn’t abandoned me) and completed the tour of the extensive subterranean chalk cave system. The soft chalk earth of the Judean Lowlands made it possible to construct the thousands of caves – interconnected and massive that make up the archaeological digs in this area. These bell-shaped caves, with their very narrow circular holes in the roof, were used for wide ranging purposes – as a quarry for the materials needed to build the settlements which were above, breeding houses for doves (columbaria), shelter for humans and stables for livestock, cisterns, places of worship, baths and tombs. Large spaces, high ceilings and interconnected – these made for a leisurely and informative stroll with @Yiftach pointing out the highlights.
And sorry, have got a little “audio bee in the bonnet” thing
happening – in these single file walkways, unless you were in the first 3 or 4 of the human tour convoy – you had to
rely on the person in front of you passing along the info. Another venue that
would have benefited from an audio system. OK – enough – have provided our
feedback to the Destinations Desk team member.
Invoking
the Charm Offensive
Next stop
was accessed by a short rain soaked drive by the endless fields of olive groves,
grape vines and pomegranate trees for our opportunity to visit the
Sidonian Caves. These were used as large burial chambers with multiple niches and
featured vibrant colourful murals of “fanciful” animals.
But the
real “memory” of the visit happened before we entered the tomb. @Yiftach
offered a second restroom stop – not happening for me of course - way too soon – but @Mac did take up
the offer. It was also a coffee stop so I decided to make amends for my early
wakeup call for @Mac and get him a coffee. I was first in the queue and
after checking if I could pay with my card, was rather brusquely assured “Of
course” and so I request the traditional old flat white.
The
response was “I don’t know what that is!”
I then
inquired what was on offer and was again brusquely told “This is a shop, not a
coffee restaurant. We have expresso or cappuccino.”
Time to invoke
the old #JPC #CharmOffensive. I switched into over-the-top sweetness and light
mode.
“Beautiful,”
I smiled, “A cappuccino will be perfect.”
And as my
card was summarily scanned I started with the small talk and the wide grin “have you been busy –
how lovely is the rain . you are so lucky to live in this beautiful area ... guess you know our tour guide ….”
Every time
the lady hit the button on the coffee machine – the power tripped and all the
lights in the shop went off (and we were later to learn, this also turned the
lights off in the burial tomb) – and this started another round of arm waving
and exasperation on her behalf. “No worries – that must be annoying – you are
doing your best – it can’t helped – what is that symbol on your shirt – how long
have you lived in the area” I just kept the smiles and the conversation going.
By the 8th power failure, the lady was my new best friend, she was
smiling and engaging in conversation – I am sure she would have invited me to
her birthday party if we stayed longer AND I had a hot piping coffee, in a
reusable cup in my hand as my peace offering for disturbing @Mac’s zzzzs this
morning.
As I turned
to leave with my hard-won prize – an American lady in our group, sauntered up
close to my ear and whispered, “THAT was TRULY amazing” and @Richard suggested
that I should be at the next round table between the Palestinians and the Israelis –
I’d have that centuries old conflict stuff sorted in 10 minutes. @Grandad
Jack and @Aunty Faye always said “You catch more flies with honey
than with vinegar.” Point proven here today.
Rounded out
our drive with a visit to @Yiftach's home. He wanted to show us something.
His family are still amongst the handful of local farmers in the village and
they grow pomegranate. He jumped out of the coach, trotted across the road and
returned with an 800-gram beauty – he was very proud.
Must say
this was just the sort of trip we needed. It was at a leisurely pace, @Yiftach
gave us some down time on the bus ride to just relax and take in the view
interrupting our reverie occasionally to share highlights on the journey. After
the overload of the last couple of days this was almost a private walk-in the park.
Came at the perfect time for us.
Time to regroup
Back on
board for the all-important 11 am deadline for our Explorer’s departure –
had a little spruce up that included @Mac’s introduction to the world of
a VERY hot bubble bath (still laughing at his yelps) and thanks to that ongoing
scouting ability of @Richard we were first in line for lunch in Prime7.
Took our time and revelled in the fact that it will be whole 43 hours before we
have to put the walking shoes back on and leave the ship for the excursion to Petra.
Loved our lunch and did try to pick quietly through the options – it was hard
to resist the delicacies of the lunch menu though!
Enjoyed a relaxing
afternoon of talking, booking more eating timeslots for the speciality
restaurants (why not), tasting the rum (well, a bit more than tasting), taking
a snooze, relaxing in the sunshine of the balcony catching up on news and email,
and generally garnering our strength for the evening programme.
Three square meals a day - or sometimes just two
We were the 6.30 timeslot for Chartreuse and we all did try something new rather than going back to the familiar favourites (equally impressed with our brave new choices), paired it with our own combination of cocktails, wine and aperitifs.
Still only just made it for the introduction to the 9.30 magic show perched high up on the balcony away for the audience participation zone. I got a real chuckle out of the combination of magic and comedy and definitely marvel at the mystery behind the “tricks” (how did he do that note trick and that final maths trick) and the willingness of the audience members who take the stage to participate.
Ducked our heads into a couple of the bars, but thought the music competed with our conversation and instead, took over the jig-saw table (@Loraine and @Mac are masters) and had the old “just one more piece and we’ll go” promise happening until 1 am. We soooo wanted to finish it – but had to leave that thrill for other guests tomorrow morning.
I’m asleep before my head hits the pillow and do think that @Mac short-changed himself on a little sleep building up his defences in “the game” (thanks @Dick for keeping him updated.) Here’s to tomorrows sleep in and a lazy hazy day on board. Can’t wait.
Ship Insigghts: Hunting for the Picasso at Prime7 - found it - appropriately a bull!
PS The story of our family's miracle baby Saylor made the Australia Today insert of Passages. An incredible journey by Rachel, Keiran, Aubrey and Saylor - but they are home together now. Love and strength to all and special thanks to the team who supported the family. xoxoxoxo
Weather: RAINING and 24 clearing the afternoon
Steps: 7564
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
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