Arrival in Israel to see the Mediterranean at dusk

Tel Aviv. Israel

Monday, February 26, 2007 - Travel day one turns into day two

It was nice to walk once we got to Israel. After almost 14 hours in the air and nearing 25 hours since we woke to start our journey yesterday we were excited to be in the Holy Land. 

A long walk to get our luggage and then a quick trip through passport control and on to our bus for a short ride (well really close to 40 minutes but   that was short compared to the plane) to our hotel. 

We arrive in Tel Aviv to go to the Dan Panorama hotel for our first night. Breath taking views of the Mediterranean in every room it looked like it would rain any minute. Cold and windy nobody wanted to go swimming. 

 

Some of us went for a walk to a near by market on Hacarmel Street, about two blocks away, and then walked along the Tel Aviv beach (Drum Beach) and through Charles Clore Park  until it was dark. Back to the hotel for dinner as it was close to 6:30 PM in Israel but really just 8:30 in the morning back home. Now it has been 27 hours. The food is great, the first of a trip full of buffet choices fit for a king. By 8 PM we are all tired and we return to our rooms (all with a view) and settle down for the night. 

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv was built in 1909 and was home to the first Kibbutz in Israel. Jaffa was not within its boundaries until the War of Indapendance in 1948. The city is the center of the nations financial and government activities. The town of Jaffa or Joppa is one of the oldest in the Holy Land mentioned in the book of Jonah as the place where he departed in his run from God's will. It is a major port city and was the place where ships would bring goods from all over the Medaterannean to build things like the temple and many of Herods projects. Peter is said to have been here in Acts 9:36.  We did not spend anything more than a quick evening and breakfast in the city but never the less found it a wonderful first look at the diversity and economy of the Land of Israel.

Sunset our first night. Even though it was cold and cloudy God blessed us with the beauty of His creation. 

There were a LOT of cats all over Israel. They seem well fed for most of them. Here is one we saw on our walk along the beach.

Contrast of the old and the new. Tel Aviv is a growing city. Arab until the War of Indapendance in 1948 the city is now Jewish.

This was our first view of Islam in Israel. This is the Hasan Beq Mosque. Right outside of our hotel it shows how the democracy in Israel allows for freedom of religious expression.  Remaining from the Arab period when this part of town was Arab before 1948 the Mosque was not destroyed when the Jews took over. Right across the street is the Dolphinarium where terrorists struck on June 1, 2001 and killed 20 teenagers at a disco. Yet Israel still allows religious freedom but is accused of being intollerent by the world.

This was our first Medeterranean style meal with a lot of nice vegetables as well as bread. It does take some adjusting to not having butter in a Koscher restaurant or hotel at a meal where there is meat.

Early morning of Tuesday Larry and Keith took a quick walk before breakfast. This is sunrise and the city of Jaffa or Joppa just a short walk from our hotel. In the distance is St Peters Church in Old Jaffa.