Israel Discovery
Travel Days – 24-25 Nov 2009
I gave myself an extra day to avoid problems like an early winter. It cost me about $300 to book a room at the Sheraton in Tel Aviv for the pre-day. In order to go east, I had to fly to Toronto first and then took an overnight flight to Frankfurt.
The last time I went overseas, I got stuck with three kids in the row behind me and parents who could do nothing to stop them from marching on the back of my seat. I was relieved to see no kids this time around….until the woman behind me pulled out her laptop, stuck it on the tray and typed as if every key was stuck. It was like someone playing the drums on my back. Luckily, she moved it to her lap when I told her that I couldn’t sleep. Something to think about the next time you pull out your laptop and start typing with it on the tray….it drives the person in front of you crazy!!! (I did notice one other laptop user who made a point of not putting it on the tray…so I’m guessing it is a problem with others).
In Frankfurt, the Lufthansa gate for the flight to Tel Aviv is separate from the others. Passing through security required a little more scrutiny. I still only needed to take out my laptop, but got a full check with the metal detecting wand even though I didn’t set off the metal detector. When I walked in I noticed the guard in body armour carrying an automatic weapon.
The flight originally was supposed to be on a 747 which didn’t have in-seat video terminals, but the plane was switched to an Airbus 340, complete with in-seat video terminals and a downstairs area with four bathrooms (very convenient). The selection of movies and shows was not nearly as impressive as Air Canada’s selection and the meal wasn’t as good either, but the flight was not full, so I had a free seat next to me.
Ben Gurion airport is a lot bigger than I expected. I walked at least as far as I did in Frankfurt. Going through passport control was very quick and the luggage carrousel was already full of luggage by the time I got to it. I found my luggage already out and walked through customs without being checked. Outside, the taxi driver was waiting with my name printed in large letters on a sheet of paper. He led me out to the taxi, asking for the voucher (which was pretty well all he said).
The drive to Tel Aviv was primarily on multi-lane highway with some late day traffic. The sunset among thunderheads was beautiful. The drive took about 40 minutes. I tipped the driver 20 NIS (though no tip is required) and checked into the hotel with no problem. They gave me a map and directions for the free breakfast downstairs. I asked about internet and found there was wireless in the rooms for $20 USD a day.
My room is on the fourth floor and facing the beautiful beach.
The clerk said this room was recently renovated and it is quite nice. It has a wide screen tv on the wall with (FINALLY) a decent selection of channels besides news channels including National Geographic, Hallmark, MGM and a couple others showing different series.
There is a little expresso machine with the condiments, but I’m not into that so it does me no good. There is a safe, iron and board, shampoo and stuff, a full bath with full shower curtain, free bottle of water and chocolate chip cookies, bathrobe, balcony, hairdryer, full length mirror and a chocolate left on the bed in the evening with Good Night written on it in white chocolate.
The bar fridge has a sticker on it that has to be broken to open, so I can’t put in anything to keep cold without breaking the sticker.
The sun set as I piled into the room, so there was no question about staying in for the night (though it’s nice to watch the guys playing beach volleyball through my telephoto lens.
I needed to fight the jet lag and forced myself to stay up as late as I could manage (10:30ish). I did a laundry, ironed the stuff in my bag, sorted out my luggage from travel mode to tour mode. Then I went through the maps and that trying to figure out what to do with my free day tomorrow. I have no idea what time we’re supposed to meet with the TD but I imagine it’ll be tomorrow evening or early Friday morning. Right now, my plans are to check out Jaffa.
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