Israel

Sep 16-21, 2010
AC84 YYZ-TLV, AC85 TLV-YYZ

Israel has an incredible amount of history, which unfortunately has included some violence.  As I'm a pretty conservative traveler, I had stayed away.  Given the relatively low risk, it was certainly not a rational decision and as I'd heard so many good things, decided that it was time to give it a try.  Somewhat by accident we ended up with a very interesting cultural experience.  We arrived on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.  This is a very holy time and is observed with a fast and time reflecting, from sunset to the next day's nightfall.  We arrived in the morning and explored Tel Aviv, bought some provisions and grabbed a late lunch before everything began to close for the holiday.  That meant that everything including restaurants in our hotel was closed and you could not drive your car. The next day we explored the car free city and made do with the snacks we had purchased previously.  When the fast broke after sunset, we got a tour of the city and a dinner with a friend that had moved back to Tel Aviv from Toronto.  The next day we drove to the Masada and the Dead Sea and saved our last full day for Jerusalem.   The whole experience was a fascinating cultural perspective, from the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, to the history of Jerusalem, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Sep 16-17
Overnight flight to Tel Aviv and quick trip to the hotel and the rest of day in city

Founders square on Shoerot Rothschild

A near by statue of Meir Dizengoff, first mayor of Tel Aviv

Some interesting decorations for the top of this building

Heading along the beach into Old Jaffa with it’s famous clock tower

Looking from Jaffa to its mosque and the Mediterranean below

Jaffa square winding down for the beginning of the holiday

Standing next to my sign on the Wishing Bridge before making my wish

After a nice late lunch (just before closing!) we head back to the hotel with some provisions

Well manicured beach

Interesting art deco building, reminded me of Miami

Looking back from our balcony at the very long walk we completed from Jaffa

Sep 18 (Yom Kippur)
With the city and roads closed to traffic until sunset we walk and walk

Major streets are eerily empty

Although we see one or two cars out for emergencies the expressway is for bikes today

Statues outside the Tel Aviv art museum

Matcal Tower - some of the more interesting modern architecture

Tom enjoyed Gordon street and was happy to find my age and an arrow

Although we didn’t have a guide we did our own Bauhaus architecture tour

Gaudi style building on Ha-Yarkin across from the hotel

More cool architecture, perhaps my work on a real estate project is making me hyper sensitive

The sun has finally set and we’re headed out with Zorik toward Jaffa and some great food

The interior of a rail car at the old rail station, now a shopping and restaurant center

Sep 19
We pick up the car and drive to Mezada and the Dead Sea

The road from Arad winds down through the mountains toward the sea

Still above sea level, but we continue descending past -400m

Some amazing vistas along the way

After taking a cable car up the mountain, we reach the ruins of Masada (first built in 37 BC)

The store room complex remains of the Northern Palace

Looking down form the Palace terrace

Paint and arches still remain on the lower terrace, looking up to the two terraces above

A model shows the full scale of the palace with the terraces on the left and shows aquifers

Looking south from the remains of the South Fort

Floating tourists enjoying the dead sea

Trying to smile as I float in brine and my skin burns, once in a lifetime is enough for me

An amazing shot looking across to Jordan before the long drive back to Tel Aviv

Sep 20
We leave the car at the hotel and take the bus to Jerusalem for the day

The Jaffa Gate into the old city the Tower of David in the background

Completing the long Ramparts walk along the wall from Jaffa to Lion’s Gate

Mount of Olives from the city wall

After circling the wall, we head into the muslim quarter

The epicenter, Temple Mount with The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock

The Western Wall. I did don my yarmulke for a closer look (without photos)

A view of Temple Mount from outside the wall

Holy Sepulcher Church

Crowds line up to see the tomb of Jesus inside the church

Looking up to the dome above the tomb

Ruins within the Tower of David museum complex

Looking back at Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock and Mount of Olives, history everywhere

A good perspective on the density of the old city

Ancient arch in the Tower of David Citadel Courtyard

Looking out a the impressive city wall

Model of the old city

Large scale model of Temple Mount prior to destruction from the Romans (in 66 AD)

Fountain above the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls

Sculpture outside of the Israel Museum

Sep 21
A relaxing morning after a very long day in Jerusalem

One last walk along the beach before heading home

Back to the airport and an afternoon flight home to Toronto