San Diego Zoo

As I took a stroll down memory lane in Southern California, I decided to revisit the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.  I had been to the San Diego Zoo as a child, but I was too young to remember.

Just after the entrance, I decided to start off on the left by the Skyfari East lift.  I have to admit, the Meerkats sure are a cute animal.  I remember a show on the Discovery Channel a while back, showing Meerkats and I think it was quite popular.

Just around from the Meercats were the Macaws, very colorful birds:

Just beside the Macaws was a medium sized pond with Spot-necked Otters.  I tried to get a photo, but the Otters were quite playful this day.  Also, this day the Zoo was very busy.

After watching the Otters, I walked over to the Fossa.  I thought back for a minute.  Most of these animals I had never heard of in my life.  Some of them had interesting names, some looked a little funny, but sure enjoyed viewing them in their natural habitat.

After looking at the animals around the entrance, I decided to take a rest and take the Skyfari Lift to the back of the park.  I knew that Balboa Park was a gem in downtown.  I never knew that there was such a great view from the Skyfari Lift.

 

All through out the Zoo (except for the Polar areas) there were nice waterfall's or small island displays.  Honestly, I wish I had something this nice in my yard.

I noticed a good size group of people around the Koala (which are not bears, they are marsupials.)  These Koala's have a great idea, sleeping!  I know they are nocturnal marsupials.

Giraffes have been a second favorite animal.  I like the color patterns on their skin.  This giraffe was a young one, but still tall enough.  If I could have some as pets, that would be great.

When ever I see a camel, I always think of my friends in Israel.  This camel, bless him, was going through a shedding phase.

The last area to visit was the Elephant Odyssey.  I watched the elephant's walk around the area.  I am amazed a how a huge animal could walk around so gracefuly.

A small look at home.

As I looked through my photo albums, I debated as to my next blog post topic.  I realized that I travel more often than I thought I had.  I finally found one album to focus on.  I took this trip in May 2010.  I had decided to go back and see home again.  I have been back home to Southern California 3 times since my family moved away in the early 1980's.

I had left the hotel in La Mesa, Ca and drove up I-15 to Escondido.

As I drove northward, I enjoyed my view.  Since this trip was my first alone, I made sure I knew where I was going.  I wanted to stay north of the border at all costs.  As I drove eastward on CA-78, I knew that I was close to the Wild Animal Park.  I was delighted to see this wonderful sign:

Just after the entrance, you are in front of the Aviary:

As I walked onward, I came to some wonderful ponds with some magnificent animals.  If I am not mistaken, this is the Chilean Flamingo Lagoon and African Marsh:

Just over from the African Marsh are the Meerkat.  Such fascinating animals:

After I watched the Meerkat play for a while, I turned to the Southern Pudu.  I have to admit I had never hear of the Pudu before hand, and thought it was a strange name.  But I also admit the Pudu is a nice looking animal almost like a short deer:

Just south of the Pudu, there was a nice Lagoon.  There were all types of birds and fish to look at.  Here is the view of the Lagoon:

After walking through the section with all types of birds, I noticed a huge balloon in the distance.  I was curious as to what it was.  I made my way down to the  Balloon Safari (a new part since I last visited.) 

After exiting the Balloon Safari, I moved onto the Heart of Africa.  This is a new expansion since I last visited in 1981.  Thankfully there was a tram ride, which made the viewing easier.

City Of David

I have to admit, visiting the City of David was the most exciting part of the trip. I had read about it when I was growing up in church. The opportunity to walk through one of the oldest cities in the world was amazing.  In a sad way, I was given some courage to visit the City of David after watching a 60 Minutes news piece when reporter Leslie Stahl bashed they Mayor of Jerusalem and Mr. Speilman (sp?) from the City of David.  Leslie Stahl internationally proved she had no clue as to what she was doing in this "news piece."  The clip can be watched here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm4QjFMwotg .  OK, enough about my ranting, on to the tour.


The tour began with a great view point of the valleys around the City of David.  This is stop #1 on the map:

You can see the Old City walls from the Beit Hatzofeh Lookout.

Here is the neighborhood of Silwan.

Here is a great view of the Mt. of Olives.

Next we walked down the spiral staircase to Station #2, the Large Stone Structure:

Next stop is #3, called The Royal Quarter (Area G.)

(I am told that this was the first bathroom in Israel.)

Next we moved onto the 4th stop, Ancient Tombs Lookout:

"Thus said my Lord God of Hosts: Go in to see that steward, that Shebna,

in charge of the palace:What have you here, and whom have you here, That

you have hewn out a tomb for yourself here?  O you who have hewn your

tomb on high; O you who have hollowed out for yourself an abode in the cliff!"

Isaiah 22:15-16

Next we moved onto stop #5, the Entrance to Warren's Shaft:

Here are ceramic oil lamps from the 8th century BCE, about 2,800 years old.

Here are some holemouth jars from the 7-8th century BCE, over 2,700 years old.

Here is a plaque talking about Warren's Shaft and the water source.

Here are Martin and I walking down into Warren's Shaft, stop #6 The Secret Tunnel.

Here is stop #7 The Canaanite Pool and Fortifications of the Spring House and stop #8 Gihon Spring:

Martin and I proceeded to the Canaanite Tunnel (dry tunnel) and skipped Hezekiah's Tunnel (wet tunnel):

To the left is the Canaanite Tunnel.

Above is the entrance to Hezakiah's Tunnel (about a 45 mintue walk.)

Walking through the Canaanite Tunnel takes about 10 minutes.

Next we moved onto stop #11, the Walls of Ancient Jerusalem (Area E):

(This is one of my favorite views.)

After a long walk along the fenced path along the wall's (in the upper right in the above photo,) we moved along to stop #12, The Weill Excavations (Tombs of the House of David:)

I found this very interesting:

After Martin and I left the above inscription, we came cross this house, stop #13.  I stood and looked at it, and thought I recognized it.  I could not remember where I had seen it, and about a few weeks ago finally remembered.  On the 60 Minutes news piece "City of David" by Leslie Stahl.  Leslie Stahl had interviewed the family that live in this house (you can view it in the YouTube link listed at the beginning of this blog post.)

We turned past the above house and had a great view of stop #14, Three Valleys Lookout:

After leaving this area, we exited the gated section.  I have to admit, I did feel a little uneasy leaving the gate.  Knowing that a Jew and goyim (Gentile) were walking in a largely Arab neighborhood was unerving.  We walked down a very steep road towards stop #15, The Shiloah (Siloam Pool):

The above picture shows what the Shiloah (Siloam) Pool area looked like.

Next was the longest 500 meters of my life.  I have another admission: I am claustrophobic.  Walking through this tight space.  Here is stop #16, Entrance tot he Western Steped Street:

Looking back down where we had just entered.

I knew being tall has disadvantages.

This oppertunity to stand up and strech was very short lived.

AH!  Fresh air and light!

After Martin and I exited the Western Stepped Street, we came into an opening and saw some recent excivations.  This dig was not marked that I saw, so I do not know what this is: