The Sea Of Galillee (Lake Tiberius, Yom Kinneret) On A Beautiful December Afternoon

Above: The Kinneret, The Sea of The Galillee In Northern Israel, With The Golan Heights In the Background. Looking east across the lake.

My daughter is on school vacation (the boys have half-days) and so we took the opportunity to take a 40 minute drive to the Holy City Of Tiberius (Tiveria) for some much needed clothes shopping for her, and fortunately I brought my camera along. And more fortunately, my husband actually stopped the car so I could get out and capture the gorgeous views over The Sea Of The Galillee, as we returned home to continue our Hanukkah celebrations. I hadn't been to the shores of the Kinneret (as we call it here in Israel) in quite a while, and with bright blue skies and deep blue waters, the views were truly stunning! The drive from our home into the city of Tiberius is also breathtaking as well. The road winds down the mountain and the lake is glimpsed from afar and then after passing numerous banana groves suddenly a bounty of water is right beside you!

Of course, the Kinneret is beautiful year round, but now in the winter when the temperatures are tolerable, and there are very few visitors, the feeling is altogether different. I found myself wondering why we don't make the effort to visit more often. Now I am really going to make the effort, as I just love water! Next time maybe we will come with some toys for playing on the beach, and the whole family in tow!

Date palms are a part of the landscape in this region of Israel, and finding some growing so closely together is quit unusual.

When i looked through my camera and saw this blue sky I was truly amazed, and to see it reflected in my photos, I have to say I squeeled! These palms are looking a bit scruffy, with old leaves and what appears to be branches of dates that dried up. Sadly the city doesn't realize how wonderful it would be if this stretch of the shore were tended to…….and how I had to avoid including all the garbage in my photos, big, big sigh. (Note to self: Just remember you are not in the "Western World", this is the Middle East where the priorities, and the finances are different altogether.)

I happen to love rocky shores, and while I certainly did think about bringing some rocks home for some art projects I resisted as we are stuffed to the gills already…..maybe next time. In the mean time I'll just enjoy this photograph, and continue to marvel at the fact that these aren't travel photographs, this is where i actually live! It is funny that after 18 years in Israel I still have to remind myself of that reality.

Now for some fun facts about The Kinneret, Sea Of Galilee:

The Kinneret is the largest fresh water lake in Israel and is approximately 53 km (33 miles) in circumference, about 21 km long (13 miles) and 13 km (8.1miles) long. At its maximum depth it is 43m (141 feet) deep! Interestingly enough, it is the lowest fresh water lake on earth as it is between 209 and 215 feet below sea level. The lake is fed party by underground springs, though it main source is the Jordan river, which flows from north to south.