Skip to main content

Journey to the Top (Holy Land Trips 8 March 2019)

That was the day that we challenged our perseverance and endurance. We never climbed up neither trekking at the mountain. We have prepared the tools to help us including the helper sticks, head light and trail shoes and I have done endurance exercise months before.
Many people who have done it before told us that it's not easy climbing up and down Mt Sinai especially at night, even our tour leader has warned us when we reached at the foot of Mt Sinai there's no turning back once we decided to climb up.

We arrived at St Catherine motel, on the foot of Mt Sinai around noon time and had lunch there.
Then we had an opportunity to wear Bedouin costumes complete with their camp for photoshoots.









We gathered at St Catherine Monastery to see Burning bush inside but too bad it's closed so we continued our journey climbing up to Mt Sinai by riding camels.
It took 1.5 hours to reach the second base before summit.




We finally reached the second base before taking 700 staircases to the summit. We had a cup of instant noodle to refill our energy before the game started.




Finally we reached to the summit. Indeed it was not easy steps, perseverance and endurance were challenged.
We didn't compete against others but against self.










On the way down, it's another real test.
We went down after sunset, there's no natural lighting except the headlight we wore. It's pitching dark.

I didn't know what pushed me, but I had energy to almost running to reach the finish line.
Middle way, I just run and run and left my husband behind.
When I reached to the bottom first together with the other 2 girls, I felt accomplished.

But then, when I realised I was alone without my partner on my side, I felt empty.
I waited for him and finally he reached the finish line 15 minutes later.

He's so angry with me and we didn't talk to each other that night until the next morning.
I felt bad about it too.









Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jubilee Year - Year of Hope (2025)

Year of Hope: A Personal Reflection on 2025 The year 2025 has been declared a Jubilee Year, a  Year of Hope  by the Pope—a time for peace, joy, and prosperity. For many, entering a new year brings feelings of happiness and optimism. However, I find myself on a different path, starting the year with anxiety and uncertainty rather than joy and hope. For me, 2025 is a year of the unknown. It marks the first time in four years that I will not hold the title of a working mom. Transitioning from this identity feels daunting and unfamiliar. It is also the year I plan to embark on a new venture: starting a winter rental business. This endeavor excites me but is fraught with challenges. There are countless pieces of the puzzle yet to be solved, and I pray for wisdom and the support of "ordinary angels" to guide me through. This is also a pivotal year for our family. Two of our children will face major exams. While I know the journey matters more than the results, I hope they develop s...

Prayer for broken marriage

Lord, Your word promises that you’re near to the brokenhearted.  I am broken.  My heart hurts from all the hard parts  of this marriage.  You promise to save those who are crushed in spirit.  My spirit hurts from the deep cuts.  Save this marriage, heal my heart, restore the hope and joy in our marriage.  No, make it more full than it ever was, to begin with.  In Jesus’ name. (Psalm 34: 18) Heavenly Father, you said I could cast my burdens upon You and You will sustain me.  This hard season of marriage has lasted longer and been more painful than I ever could have imagined and I am failing.  Please take this burden and help me to not be shaken from the commitment to our marriage.  (Psalm 55:22) Holy Spirit, I am weak, hurting, and ready to give up on this whole mess of a marriage.  You said,  “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness”, but I am struggling to believe there is hope.  Take this ...

Dreams come true - Cappadocia (day 7)

This is the highlight of Cappadocia which is hot air balloon ride. As it depends a lot on the weather, we were lucky that we could fly to watch sunrise. We were picked up around 5.30am in the morning to Urgup area and arrived 20 mins later. They provided us with light breakfast while they lit up the balloon.  We started riding it around 6.20am and it's so breathtaking to see the Goreme area and hundreds of balloon joining us. The sunrise is around 7am and by 7.30am we already landed safely.  We had champagne celebration and received certificate too and returned back to our hotel for breakfast. Around 10am, we were picked up for Green Valley tour. Stopped by at Goreme Panorama and Pigeon valley for photo spots. After that, we went to Underground city where Anatolian people lived underground to survive from natural disaster and dangers. It's amazing how they build the houses and lived there for a long period of time. Then, we continued our tour to Selime Monastery and Cathedral ...