Aviv Higiya Pesach Ba!
Aviv Higiya.
Spring has arrived.
Pesach is a joyous holiday in Israel, and is particularly fun because the entire country seems to be off and travelling. In America, I'm used to having two seders followed by seven miserable days where I realize that I truly cannot live very long without italian food.
But here, it goes on the whole week. You are hiking and you hear people singing ma nishtana. Not only that, but the entire country gets covered in blue and white flags for this period between pesach and yom haatzmaut. Our car has an israeli flag now sticking out the window.
We had a very special 2.5 weeks off of school. We did day trips--horseback riding on the beach, a day in Yaffo, and finally visited our local Ayalon institute. We then set off on a trip North. First we stopped in Afula for the best felafels in Israel. Just like a I remembered, the guy throws them in the air as he catches them in the pita. Matan loved that! Then we went to Gan HaShlosha/Sachne, ancient warm springs at the foot of the Gilboa. Gorgeous place, and as is "only in Israel", we climbd all of the ruins and down the waterfall, which no doubt would not be allowed in other places. Three members of the family loved the fish that bite off your dead skin. One (me) just couldn't handle the feeling.
We then headed up Mt. Gilboa where we caught the most amazing rainbow we'd ever seen. From there you can see the whole Yezreal Valley. We slept on a kibbutz, and the next morning went to Beit Shean national park where we saw ruins and a tel from 6000 years ago through roman times. And incredible views. We made our way to Tiberias, where we spent the next five nights at the Leonardo Club all-inclusive....I love not having to think about meals.
We got out every day except first day of Pesach, into the Golan. We did a water hike, where you literally hike in a stream with the water up to your waist or higher at times. We did the hot springs of Hamat Gader. We rafted the Jordan river. These "water" photos are all on Adam's camera as his is waterproof. We then headed to Akko and Chaifa, where we spent shabbat on the beach. What a great trip.
I'm putting pictures on below to share some of the things we did. It drives me crazy that the pictures get uploaded backwards and I'm too lazy to undo them. So they are a bit out of order.
Hanging out with Turkish coffee in a restaurant in the Galil.
Ancient synagogue in Qatzrin, which is in the Golan Heights.
Gamla, Israel's tallest waterfall.
Hiking through the Golan.
Spring has arrived.
Pesach is a joyous holiday in Israel, and is particularly fun because the entire country seems to be off and travelling. In America, I'm used to having two seders followed by seven miserable days where I realize that I truly cannot live very long without italian food.
But here, it goes on the whole week. You are hiking and you hear people singing ma nishtana. Not only that, but the entire country gets covered in blue and white flags for this period between pesach and yom haatzmaut. Our car has an israeli flag now sticking out the window.
We had a very special 2.5 weeks off of school. We did day trips--horseback riding on the beach, a day in Yaffo, and finally visited our local Ayalon institute. We then set off on a trip North. First we stopped in Afula for the best felafels in Israel. Just like a I remembered, the guy throws them in the air as he catches them in the pita. Matan loved that! Then we went to Gan HaShlosha/Sachne, ancient warm springs at the foot of the Gilboa. Gorgeous place, and as is "only in Israel", we climbd all of the ruins and down the waterfall, which no doubt would not be allowed in other places. Three members of the family loved the fish that bite off your dead skin. One (me) just couldn't handle the feeling.
We then headed up Mt. Gilboa where we caught the most amazing rainbow we'd ever seen. From there you can see the whole Yezreal Valley. We slept on a kibbutz, and the next morning went to Beit Shean national park where we saw ruins and a tel from 6000 years ago through roman times. And incredible views. We made our way to Tiberias, where we spent the next five nights at the Leonardo Club all-inclusive....I love not having to think about meals.
We got out every day except first day of Pesach, into the Golan. We did a water hike, where you literally hike in a stream with the water up to your waist or higher at times. We did the hot springs of Hamat Gader. We rafted the Jordan river. These "water" photos are all on Adam's camera as his is waterproof. We then headed to Akko and Chaifa, where we spent shabbat on the beach. What a great trip.
I'm putting pictures on below to share some of the things we did. It drives me crazy that the pictures get uploaded backwards and I'm too lazy to undo them. So they are a bit out of order.
Hanging out with Turkish coffee in a restaurant in the Galil.
We started the trip with yummy felafels in Afula.
topographical presentation on the Golan at Magic Golan at the Visitor's Center.
Gamla, Israel's tallest waterfall.
At Qatzrin, the kids were mesmorized by a presentation where they made yarn to music.
Hiking through the Golan.
This was on the southern slopes of the Hermon.
Below, Rosh Pinna.
Below, before our seder!
View from our hotel window.
We found it interesting we were getting Damascus radio.
View from the mountain where Kochav HaYarden is (the crusader fort, but it was closed), overlooking Jordan valley.
Below, ruin's at Beit Shean national park.
Above, gotta love those ancient toilets. So grateful for modern plumbing.
Below, I just couldn't get over the kosher for passover everything, including shelves at gas stations.
That amazing rainbow at Har Gilboa.
Below, Gan HaShlosha baths.
An amazing playground in Herzliya--a stop home after our day trip.
Below, Matan tries to split the Med Sea from Netanya.
horseback riding on the beach
day in Yaffo
Afternoon in Palmachim
All the icecream was kosher for pesach!
Second half of the trip, we headed West.
Bahai gardens are the most beautiful gardens ever. We only quickly looked at bottom, as we're headed back there in a week or two.
Rode the cable car up the Carmel.
Went to madatech.
More cable car view.
Went to Akko, ancient port and city.
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