The Roman Germanic Museum in Köln (Cologne) has some fascinating artifacts.
Cologne (Köln) in the biblical period
The history of Cologne goes back to the New Testament age.
Galli Guys
The Romans knew about a people and a land called Gaul.
Constantine's Throne Room
The brilliance of Roman engineering is on display in the throne room of Constantine the Great.
An Arabian Invitation
Learn more about an upcoming travel opportunity to Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
G'morgen from Trier
Mark arrivers in Trier.and stops for a German-style breakfast.
Haifa Harbor
This video feels suddenly dated, as cruise ships have discontinued using Haifa since the beginning of the Gaza War. There is hope, however, that this kind of travel will resume soon.
Hike the Wadi Boqeq
The Wadi Bokek in the Dead Sea basin displays the resiliency of life and the power of erosion.
View on the ascent
Climbing Jebel Musa (the traditional Mt Sinai) in the evening hours.
Sinai Summit
Study Tour to Egypt, 2025
Group shot (scanned).
Portugali Pastry
The pastry that defines Portugal's sweetness: Pastel de nata.
Desert Kingdom
Gaze on the ruins of Dedan in the al-'Ula oasis of Saudi Arabia. The Dedanites were well-positioned along the "incense route" and are mentioned by the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel.
We will be visiting Dedan in January of 2026. Will you join us?
Cooking Class
Mark and Vicki take a cooking class in Porto, Portugal.
How Portugal got its name
The name of a settlement was given to a country.
Caesarea Passages
Two passages in the New Testament book of Acts locate the site of Caesarea in the ongoing plan of God.
David's Well found in Bethlehem?
Cisterns found in Bethlehem have been linked to the biblical story of David.
A Compelling View
This biblical mountain isn't much as far as mountains go. But it offers a compelling view.
Have a look at the summit of Mt Nebo (or Siyagha). That’s the Memorial Church of Moses up there, surrounded by other buildings including an interpretive center, the remains of an ancient and modern monastery.
Man-killing Bloom
When describing Tarsus, the home city of the Apostle Paul, I adjust my voice to a reverent tone and speak of it as a center of first-century scholarship. Case in point: Pedanus Dioscorides. The life of this famous physician (and Tarsus resident) overlapped that of Paul. Between AD 50 and 70 Pedanus wrote a five-volume work on medicine that set the standard for 1,500 years of herbal remedies.
Among the plants he describes is the Nerium oleander (oleander may be drawn from the Greek, "man-killer"!). Pedanus says eating it or drinking its broth will "kill most four-footed creatures." However, it may be diluted with wine as an antidote against "the bites of venomous creatures."
I'd get a second opinion from Dr. Luke.
I captured this shot of Nerium oleander in the Wadi ath-Thamad in central Jordan. And by the way, I didn't see any snakes.
Why did the Mob Cross the Road?
Why did the mob of banded mongoose cross the road?
Foraging? Hunting? Seeking new territory? Adapting to human habitats? Snakes?
Hard to say. But if you’re in Uganda, a mongoose crossing is considered good luck!
