Eilat, Israel~Day Two

I'm going to call Day 2 of our trip to Israel a "down day." I use that term as loosely as possible here, because our "down day" consisted of a four hour car ride from Tel Aviv, through Be'er Sheba, through the Negev Desert, south to Eilat, Israel, a trip to the aquarium, and a dolphin adventure.

Stuff you don't see everyday:
Caution! Camel Crossing!

The Negev Desert is beyond extraordinary! What expansive views! I was NOT expecting Israel's landscape to be so diverse!

Jet lag? What jet lag?! We felt really good beginning on day one of our trip, but in hindsight, I think we were able to keep the pace up because of the abundance of coffee we were able to consume!

At the aquarium, we were able to climb to the top of the observation tower, where we saw sweeping views of the shimmering Red Sea! On a clear day, you can see Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt! I can hardly believe we were near the place that God parted that entire Sea so that His people could walk through on DRY LAND!

Sea life was everywhere!

If you're wondering if the Red Sea should be added to your "short list" of "Top Ten places I should dive in the world," yes. Yes, it should!

Dallas, Stewart, Lydia, Will and I pose for a quick shot with Eilat, Israel and Aqaba, Jordan in the background!

Next, we went to this unique take on a dolphin adventure! These dolphins are free to come and go as they please from this park, but they hang around because of the abundance of free food. Some would call them lazy. I call them smart.

We were able to walk out on these floating docks for an up close and personal encounter with these friendly dolphins! While we were there, one "show off" soared through the air, jumping three times in a row-higher and farther than Dallas and I have ever seen! Those dolphins at Sea World had NOTHING on this guy!

Later that night, we went out for coffee with Stewart so we could get a little taste of Eilat at night. The hand guesture I'm doing means different things in different circumstances, but it can mean anything from "just a second, please" to "hold your horses, buddy!" to "BEEP, YOU!"

Next stop on our Israel Adventure: JORDAN! We were able to see one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, which I am CERTAIN I will not do justice to either in picture or by commentary. Nevertheless, I will give it a try!

21 Things you don't see in America:

Consider this your "teaser" of things to come, friends! I will get to the rest of our trip this week! In the meantime, here's a look at things you don't see everyday-scratch that-ANY DAY...in America!

Appetizers that look like this:

Fifteen foot tall walls topped with barbed wire to keep the Arabs out:

Olive trees that were around when Jesus walked the earth...

You know you're in a safe neighborhood when UN vehicles abound.

Monks marching their way to church.

Pray continually, and don't forget your M-5, or M-7...whatever. Don't forget your weapon.

Bodies of water where sinking is NOT an option!

Salt piled along said lakes...

Aquaducts, be it Roman or any other kind...

Someone shaving lamb off a stake so they can throw it in a pita and call it "Schwarma."

Places where Jesus actually walked.

Meet the Hirex...an animal that moves with cat-like agility, looks like a large rodent and climbs trees like a monkey.

Bedouins.

A man who was born in a cave cooking lunch over a fire with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

An old bedouin man trying to sell you stuff he "dug out of the ground."

Friendly, Bedouin camel shepherds.

The colors of Jordan flying high.

Any of the seven wonders of the world.

A place from which you can see four countries on a clear day: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Egypt.

Mine fields.

Camel Crossing signs.

Jaffa, Israel-Day 1

Dallas and I were recently able to travel to ISRAEL to visit our dear friends, Stewart and Elizabeth and to see The Promised Land up close and personal! The first day we were there, Elizabeth took us to the ancient city, Jaffa Port, which is only 20 minutes from their home in Tel Aviv! Jaffa is filled with biblical history! This ancient town is where Jonah "ran away from God" from! In it's prime, Jaffa would have been a pretty busy port town. This town was one of my favs! It also is the city where Peter lived for probably a couple of years! He stayed with Simon the Tanner when he was there, and we were able to see the home that may have been Simon's house!

Dallas and I stopped for a quick shot by the Mediterranean Sea. You can see Jaffa in the background.

Jaffa had this neat clock tower along the main road.

We went in this neat store with all sorts of unique culinary treats and spices, wines from Israel and pottery! Below are a few of the wines they sold. Passion fruit, Pomegranate and Kiwi wines are a few that they had to offer!

Below is the roof of the store I mentioned above! This roof was amazing! The building was built during the Ottoman Empire, and this store, as I was told by the owner, was the stable for the police station!

In Israel, you have your typical Jewish towns, your typical Arabic towns, and then your typical Palestinian territories. More on that to come, but Jaffa is your typical Arab town, complete with this gorgeous "prayer tower."

Old Jaffa Port's square! It was so beautiful...so Mediterranean!

I'm a sucker for doors and windows. This quaint town had doors and windows a'plenty! And, nestled within these ancient buildings were artsy stores and boutiques that one could peruse for days on end. This town is perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll, and afterward, you can go grab a fresh Pomegranate juice from the little cafe in the town square.

Views like this one were around every corner in Jaffa...

Below is a picture of Simon the Tanner's house.

Jaffa's whale fountain is so perfect! It's like a little bow atop a perfectly wrapped present!

In case I haven't quite convinced you to visit Jaffa...have a look at their hanging tree!

Mosaic tile abounds in Israeli artwork!

Doors and windows...oh my!

The Catholic church in Old Jaffa City...so gorgeous!

The actual port in Jaffa.

Our beautiful, sunshiny day in Jaffa was just perfect! The friendly people, salty sea air, and quaint, small town atmosphere was a perfect introduction as to what was to come in the time ahead!