Akko - June 28, 2011

staircase with colored stones and the "evil eye"

schoolgirls walking in Akko

interior of Uri Buri fish restaurant - Akko

boys playing near water - Akko

mosque - Old Akko

headscarves for sale - Akko marketplace

horse and carriage - through Akko

I decided to venture outside of Tel Aviv and drive north to the city of Acre (Akko). It has been a long time since I drove that far north but today's a beautiful day to take that drive. After an early breakfast, Fage yogurt with fruit, I decided to take the beautiful coast road, driving alongside the sea most of the way -- through Caesarea, Netanya and other coastal resorts. Old Akko is genuine -- it hasn't been gentrified or reborn as an artist's colony. Akko was built in the 18th century on top of the Crusaders' city. The underground corridors were once the home of knights and inhabitants. Mosaic-adorned mosques, minarets, and Turkish baths reflect the influence of the Ottoman empire. The town isn't filled with tourists; instead there is real life here -- marketplaces selling spices, shoes, clothing and necessities for those who reside there. Akko has been a principal port for 2,000 years. Watching horses riding through the streets, watching residents atop staircases just looking out to the horizon, seeing teenage boys playing on the cliffs hanging over the water are just a few of the scenes that I encountered here. Particularly noticeable was a staircase with embedded rocks, including the blue "evil eye" so common in the Middle East. There are several restaurants from which to choose along the coast, but I chose to go to the fish restaurant, Uri Buri. I ordered delicious grilled fish along with the usual mezze of appetizers, including eggplant, hummus and tehina. What struck me most about Akko was its authenticity, certainly refreshingly uncommon in travel these days.

Tel Aviv - June 27, 2011

Dan Hotel Beach - Tel Aviv

view of Marina - Hilton Beach - Tel Aviv

amazing sunset - Tel Aviv beach

beautiful beach - Tel Aviv

man walking along beach - Tel Aviv

beach - Tel Aviv

After having spent the weekend in Jerusalem, I was ready to return to Tel Aviv. The warm breezes of the hills of Jerusalem made me think of spending some time at the sea. I drove the TA-Jerusalem highway in less than an hour and was on my way to the shore. Parking is always a hassle at the beach, but I drove into an underground lot along the row of hotels lining the seaside. Residents of Tel Aviv can be seen at the beach any time of day or well into the evening. Of course, summers bring out young people, families and children so it can be difficult to find a spot in the sand. For a small fee, one can reserve a lounge chair and an umbrella. Bathrooms are easily accessible. Often groups of people are clustered together, young and old. The sun is strong, so sunscreen and hats are a must. Ice cream vendors and trinket sellers abound. It's definitely a lively scene. People of all ages can be seeing playing "matkot", a game similar to table tennis without the table. The clatter of balls against wooden rackets is heard everywhere. It seems to be the national summer game of Israel at the seashore.