My Ride on the USS Miami

While riding the USS Miami from August to October of 2007, the ship made a couple of interesting port calls. One was in Rota, Spain, a small resort town on the southern coast of the country. The other was in Haifa, Israel, which gave me the chance to see historically and religiously significant places as Jerusalem and Nazereth. During those visits, I took more than 300 pictures and received a like number from others. Presented here is a small representative sample. I hope you enjoy them!

The First Port Call: Rota, Spain

 

Rota features a number of scenic walking areas such as this one.

The city is replete with ornate buildings such as these.

This is one of Rota's several beaches.

The Second Port Call: Haifa, Israel

 

This is a view of the city of Haifa, Israel's major sea port located in the northern portion of the country.	During our visit to Israel, I made a trip to the holy city of Jerusalem, visible behind me in the distance.	This is the famous West Wall, or "Wailing Wall." It is one of Judaism's most holy and revered sites.
This is me in the courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on the grounds were Jesus was crucified and buried.	This is a view inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, showing the ornate architecture of the place.	This is a view of the grotto that sits on the exact spot where Jesus was hung on the cross.
During this visit, I also had the opportunity to visit the holy city of Nazareth. Here I am in front of the Church of the Annunciation, erected over the spot where Mary was told she was to have the Son of God.	This is the grotto where the angel Gabriel told  Mary she was pregnant with Jesus.	This is a view of the balcony that overlooks the groto.

Andy Rucker