Day 2 - Arrived in Israel! Caesarea by the Sea.

Departing KCI at 6:00am Saturday we arrived in Israel at 10:00am Sunday!. We didn't waste anytime as we hit the bus and headed to Caesarea by the Sea.  This maritime marvel was built by Herod the Great.  Herod who was known for his lavish palaces and probably the worlds richest man to date.  He was know as King of the Jews.  Herod, who felt his title and rule were threatened by the birth of Jesus ordered that all first born males in Bethlehem and surrounding areas be killed. So much history here and to see what all was built under his rule. We sat in the amphitheater where King Agrippa was struck down as he stated he was mightier than God.  We walked over the palace ruins where Paul was imprisoned and defended his faith,  There is a stone-encrypted of Pontius Pilate the Roman ruler who the New Testament mentions as sentencing Jesus to crucifixion. This palace is where Perter baptized Cornelius. Along the beach is a large hippodrome where you can visualize Roman horse races and gladiators fighting. This hippodrome was also an amphitheater where they say that both Christians and Jews were fed to the lions. We wrapped up the afternoon seeing the large aqueduct built by King Herod around 36 BC that carried fresh water across the top of the arches to Caesarea as they had no fresh water.  Finally we checked into our hotel for some relaxation and a walk alongside the shores of the Mediterranean.