On a cold and rainy Thursday following the International Diamond Week in Israel, a bus full of guests invited to the Diamond Week set out for a day in Jerusalem.
Unfortunately the wet weather meant a day trip to the Dead Sea which had also been planned had to be cancelled.
Nonetheless, the guests – mostly from China, Hong Kong and India – had a day to remember in Jerusalem.
Since it was the first time for almost of them in the Holy City, their smartphones were in action as soon as they arrived after a one-hour drive from Ramat Gan where they had been collected from their hotels.
First stop was the Mount of Olives (above) with a spectacular view across to the Old City despite the mist and drizzle.
Then it was on the bus again after pictures had been taken to the Zion Gate section of the city.
Walking through the Armenian Quarter was special for one of the members of the trip, Sarkis Nourian, President of the Armenian Jewellers Association, and his wife (below).
The tour then moved on to the Jewish Quarter, stopping off at the Cardo, which was Jerusalem's main street 1,500 years ago.
No trip to the Old City would be complete without a visit to the Western Wall (below) where the diamond industry guests donned skullcaps and approached the Wall, praying and moving on.
The group then walked through along the famous Via Dolorosa and up to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the spots where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, prepared for burial and his tomb.
After an excellent lunch, a short bus ride took the guests to the final stop of the day, the Israel Museum (below) with a brief tour including a visit to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Then it was back to Ramat Gan, and the delighted guests – somewhat tired after a long day of sightseeing – were dropped off at their hotels and started sending the images of their unforgettable day in Jerusalem to friends and family around the world.
