Day 16- Travel Home

Day 16. Travel Day

Out of the hotel, onto the Tram and to Atarack Airport.  Not one but 4  levels of security, passport control and onto the 777-300 for the 12 hr flight home. Ive been to 3 countries in the last 16 days and found something interesting in every locale.  My favorite was Jerusalem.  Yes, I am surprised as all of of you.  Israel was not my primary Destination.  In fact it was a late addition.  But the history as well as the architecture of Jerusalem is amazing.  My next favorite was Mykonos.  Beautiful weather,water and beaches and gracious hospitable  host make for a wonderful vacation spot.  Next on the list is Istanbul.  The history is interesting.  It's really not that scenic of a place. If I were to recommend this to some considering a visit, I would suggest taking a cruise that stops here.  Get off and see as much as you can in the stop and leave.  Don't stay here.  Although the hotel and restaurant people are accommodating  there is a language barrier as most of the help don't speak english.  The big problem is the elbow to elbow vendors.  I mean they are everywhere. On the sidewalks, the backstreets, you cannot get 30 seconds of serenity without someone coming up to you and calling you "my friend" and trying to sell you something.  Finally I would place Tel Aviv on the bottom of the list.  It's basically a third world city.  Needs updating and doesn't have anything to offer that you can't find in Jerusalem or some other part of Israel.

Traveling is one of the luxuries of fine living.  I enjoy creating theses trips, and spending months planing and arraigning the details.  It so rewarding.  The next couple of years will probably be good for world travel as the US economy is again taking the lead which creates favorable travel for US citizens abroad.

I was fortunate to be able to spend the second half of my trip with my dear friends Sandra and John Lopez, world travelers extraordinaire .  So until my next overseas trip, See Ya,

PHOTOS HERE

Day 15

Day 15. This my last day.  So I went for some culture.  First to the Sultan Ahmed (The Blue) Mosque.  This is the most famous Mosque in all,of Istanbul and probably #2 or 3 in the entire Muslim world.  The most famous being in Mecca.  This building is imposing over the entire old city with its multiple minarets.  There is a large park that leads from the street and a magnificent courtyard.  You must take off your shoes, women must be covered, sorry Sandra , and then you enter a huge room carpeted of course since this is used for prayer.  There are no seats or pews, one simply bows down on the carpet and prays.  The Muslims pray 5 times daily and you can hear the loud "callings" throughout the city.  There really wasn't much to see on the inside. It was more appealing from the outside.   Down the gardens was the "Hagia Sofia".   This is an old church from the the 4th century built in the Byzantine era and twice destroyed.  Then rebuilt as a mosque.  It has been a museum since the Ottomans were conquered by the British after WW I.  It is quite interesting inside with several mosaics.  

We then boarded our favorite transport the T1 line and took the the tram westward outside the old city walls to a new museum which is,the history of the conquering of  Constantinople née  Istanbul.

PHOTOS HERE

Day14

Day 14.  We went to the spice market.  Not quite as well known in the tourist world as the Grand Bazar, but very interesting and some great prices. Afterwards, it was to the Grand Bazar.  Now this place is about as big as,the old market in Jerusalem, but is completely enclosed in a old structure and has a very good ventilation system, even though not A/C. The cruisers were there cause we walked past thee buses.  I saw the Norwegian Song and the Celebrity Reflection. Now here is my negative comment re: Istanbul.  The vendors both in the Bazaar and on the street were the most aggressive and in your face that I have ever encountered.  They will come running after you as you walk past their shop or restaurant and try to sell you whatever it is they have regardless of whether you even looked in their direction.  I bought some souvenirs, but was too put off to do any serious shopping for leather or cotton linens.  That afternoon I had a Turkish Bath which is a interesting scrub and soapy massage.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 13

Day 13. First stop, Topkapi. The site of residences of many sultans during the early days of the Turkish empire of the 16th through 18th century. It is a multi-acre facility with harem- the residences, museum with many treasures;remember the 1964 movie "Topkapi", and a mosque. This facility overlooks the Bosphorus.    Speaking of the Bosphorus. After lunch we jumped on a 2 hr boat ride up,the strait, with multiple stops and a short walk on the Asian side.  Keep in mind, that this 1/2 mile wide waterway separates Europe from Asia.  Today was also the first day of the 4 wk long Muslim holiday; Ramadan.  A lot of the restaurants stopped serving alcohol.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 12

Day 12. We arose and headed out.  There are 23 million people in Istanbul, and it seems as if they are all on the road and sidewalks.  Since the Tram, stopped in front of our hotel, that became our preferred mode of travel. We rode it to the end, found a short tram up the hill and we were at Taksin Square, the site of all the previous political demonstrations.  It was empty.  A few tourist like ourselves.  A bunch of cops over on the side, otherwise, a peaceful Saturday.  We spent the morning walking down a pedestrian shopping mall and made it back to the hotel to check out the beautiful spa and Turkish Bath.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 11. July 12

Day 11. Travel day.  We packed up and "Pops" drove us to,the airport. 

For a small single strip, no taxiway airport, this place was packed and busy.  In the hour and a half that we were there I counted 6 commercial 737, A320's come and go.  Direct flights from Gatwick, Germany, Italy and Russia. Our flight to Aethans  was 18 minutes.   It took 30 to get to the international departure area and clear passport control.  Then another hour flight to Istanbul. After having a difficult time with the shuttle buses .  I pulled out my I-pad , looked up my hotel on the map and found the the tram ran and stopped in front.  So I got on the subway at the airport. made one transfer to the tram and was at the desk checking in in 30 min.  I went to the my room to await John and Sandra who were on another flight an hour or so later.

TURKEY. For the past month the nightly news has been full of protestors clashing with police, demonstrations and trouble.   We evaluated carefully whether to even include this stop on our trip, however we changed our hotel to a quite area of town and were assured by many that we would be fine in this area.   Well we went out of the hotel and were walking down the main street to dinner and really had not gotten 3 blocks when I saw a group of people charging down the street  in our direction, then the sirens and the police.  Yep, we were in riot.  The demonstrators, about a hundred strong with clubs were being chased by police on motorcycles , riot squad and  heavy vehicles.  I found a side street and ran, fortunately for us, they didn't follow.  We found a resturant on the second floor where we had a dinner of traditional Turkish meatballs and rice.  After dinner directly across the street was a Turkish"smoke" cafe where they serve up,the water pipe and tea.  We got our table outside, I lit up one of the Cubans I had bought in the airport and laughed about our earlier encounter.

Day,10. July 11

Day 10 More of Paradise Beach.  Then an  evening dinner in the shopping area known as "little venice".  Back to the Beach in Ornos for a night cap and to bed.My thoughts on Greece can be summarized as the following, no matter what you hear and read about their financial troubles, summer life on the islands is wonderful.  The clearest coolest water,   Multiple public beaches, with restaurants, facilities and no one hustles you.  You pick out a table or couch in the shade, order an ice coffee and sit there all day. These islands are the most relaxing I think I have ever been.  The help is friendly accommodating, and appreciative.  I am already figuring out a trip next summer.

Day 9. July 10

Day 9. Breakfast down the road at the Bellagio, a cute little bar/coffee shop.  I told the owner all about the Bellagio in Vegas.  Loaded up and off to the infamous Paradise Beach.  This is one of the top beaches in Greece.  They have really developed this place.  Kind of reminded me of  Acapulco years ago.   Very classy with everything service you could want.  We spent about 4-5 hours at a nice table with chairs and a sofa.  I swam and ate and then it was back for a nap.  This island life really relaxes you. For dinner we drove into the town of Mykonos.  There is a waterfront with shops and restaurants.  We found a place full of locals and ordered up some Greek salads, roasted feta and fresh calamari.  Its the best calamari I have eaten cause it was caught and sold this morning. We walked into the back streets into a real upscale shopping area. A little gelato for Sandra, cigars and baklava for John and I.   Then we called it a night . 

PHOTOS HERE

Day 8

Day 8. Breakfast at the hotel. We loaded up the 4x4 and off to the first beach.  There are about 10 different beaches on the Isle of Mykonos.  Each has it's own set of restaurant,bars and personality.  I did some distance swimming into the coolest, clearest water I have ever been.  We had lunch. And then we explored every road that John could get the vehicle down. Dinner,an after dinner liquor called Metaxa and a Padron and I was ready for bed.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 7. July 8

Day 7.  Alarm at 6 so I could be ready for my pickup @ 6:30.  My flight was @ 9:50 but the hotel said I needed that much time for traffic and security at the airport.  Not So.   The ride, 3 levels of security, and passport control and I was having a coffee at my gate by 7:45.  This place is more efficient than Hobby or Bush.  Maybe it's the fact that I look too distinguished or too old to cause any trouble.  Anyway, I found all the personnel  at the airport to be very friendly and courteous.  Not so, in Istanbul!!.  Busy airport and nobody will give you the time of day or a seat nor is there any Internet that works.  I had a 4 hour layover on my way to Mykonos to meet John and Sandra Lopez. The flight to Greece was beautiful,especially the second leg into Mykonos.  We flew low enough that I was able to take some really neat aerial photos. 

Met at the airstrip by John and Sandra in an open roof Suzuki.  We stopped by our hotel, the Anixi which actually is in the village of Ornos on the isle of Mykonos.  It's about a quarter mile walk down the hill to the beachfront bars and restaurants.  I had my first Greek Meal and an after dinner ouzo.  Needless to say I don't remember the walk back.

PHOTO'S HERE

Day 6. July 7

Day 6 

  Another morning swim and then it was off to the Carmel St. Market.   This is the oldest market place in Tel Aviv.  A long pedestrian only street, shaded and lined with vendors selling everything from incredible looking middle eastern pastry to olives, dates and nuts. Also T shirts with Coca Cola printed on Hebrew, so I bought one for my 11 y/o nephew.  As I was watching one of the vendors preparing food, he struck up a conversation with me.  When I told him I was from Texas, he called me a red neck.  Before this volley was over, I was sitting at his counter and he fixed me a "pita kebab ".  This is basically 4 small burgers served in pita with about 6 different toppings and sauces.  It was the best thing I ate in Israel.  They don't seem to have much meat in Israel but this solved my craving.  Full of energy, I set off to find the Yitzhak Rabin museum.  It was on the other side of town, but some young solders at the bus stop gave me directions.  It was a great story of this wonderful leader of Israel who was assassinated by a radical Jew.  It is also the history of political Israel from the beginning of the 20th century to today. The museum closed behind me and a group of about 30 young soldiers, both men and girls who couldn't have been over 25 walked out with me.  They all wanted to know about the US and especially Texas.  One of the young ladies waited at the bus stop with me and told the driver where I was going.  These kids are really amazing.  They are so polite and helpful.  Not so for the bus drivers.

That evening I had a salad at an outdoor restaurant on the beach called "Masada" of all things. Back to the hotel to pack for the next morning's trip.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 5

Day 5. Up and out early. Across the street to the beach.  I,walked down about a quarter mile where the beach was not protected by a breakwater.  I saw a group of umbrellas and chairs.  I picked out mine and a "beach boy" came up and brushed off the chair and took my towel and covered it.  I asked how much do I owe you.  And he looked perplexed and walked off.  Some people nearby who understood english explained that on public beaches,the do not charge for the service.  Wow, is this place different.   When he came by again about a half hour later I had some scheckels for him.  He smiled. I had a good time in the surf and walked back to he hotel to clean up for lunch.   Tel aviv has done a redevelopment of their old port on the North end of the beach.  It 's no South Street Seaport but it's the most happening spot I've seen in my first 24 hrs in Tel Aviv. After I got enough sun for the day it was back to the Savoy Roof for a sunset. I went to Dizengoff Street to walk around and stopped into a health food restaurant where I had the best Pad Thai since I was in Bangkok wit Gadi.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 4

Day 4. Travel day.  I awoke earlier enough to make that gastronomic feast they call breakfast here.  Really I've been to buffets but ... Packed and was picked up promptly 15 min. late(that's Israeli time ) by my tour.   We drove about  an hour and a half (through the West Bank) to the Dead Sea and to Mount Masada.   .  We went to the top of the Masada  and toured the ruins.  It  is really an amazing bit of history. After that we headed back to a spa on the banks oh the dead sea.  I had a salt scrub, a mud bath and then out to the sea for a swim.  Except  you can't swim.   It is so salty, that you literally float on top of the 84 degree water.  It was fun trying. Makes me appreciate the Houstonian pool at 7 am. The guide brought me back to Tel Aviv and my home for the next 3 nights, The Savoy Hotel.   It's a half block from the beach and has this great roof top lounge where I am writing this note.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 3

Day 3.  Oversleep.  Awoke at 10:15 and rushed downstairs to try to make breakfast which ends at 10.   You think I talked these ex soldiers who now claim to be in the hospitality business to seat me 20 min after they stopped.   Well I don't understand Hebrew but I'm pretty sure they all got a good laugh out of me that morning.

I walked to the Mamilla shopping mall, had a coffee and poppy roll and walked to the old city via the Jaffe Gate.  I walked down David's walk which separates the Christian quarter from the Armenian Quarter.  Bought two pair of sandals.  Keep walking and wandered onto the Western Wall.  What a place.   The women partitioned on the right.  The men on the the left.  It's Thursday and it's Bar Mitzvah day.   I counted 7 different groups at the moment I was there.   I made my way to the wall, pulled out my Union Prayer book that was given to me at my Confirmation in 1967.  Touched the wall with my book said the Sh'Ma and made room for others. Now those of you who know my feelings about organized religion will be surprised to know that I was almost moved.   

I walked out the Dung Gate and down the hill to the City of David Exhibit.  This is a fantastic tour of the history of King David and his conquer of the city of Jerusalem 3000 Years ago.  It is competed by a walking tour of the underground aqueduct complete with thigh high running fresh water.  It is absolutely the darkest and most confining place I have ever been.  You take a mile walk I this underground tunnel.  I sort of felt that over the past couple of years I was developing  claustrophobia .   Now I am sure of it.

The day finished with coffee and a  nicely aged Padron on Ben Yehuda Street.

PHOTOS HERE

Day 2

Day 2.  Breakfast was in a big room.  I heard these Israeli breakfast were amazing but I really was not prepared for the enormous amount of food and selection.

I walked about 3 blocks and waited for the double decker tour bus which takes one all around the city in about 3 hrs. It was there that I met this couple and their young children from Cape Town.  We had a 25" break at the main bus station.  Holly Toledo Batman, the joint looked liked a military convention.   Imagine the Port Authority Bus station in New York full of 20 y/o boys and girls, all with  AR 16 slung over their shoulders.  Oh yea, they were all texting each other.

That night I was set up for a bike ride.  One thing I am learning about the Israelis, they tend to understate things.  This ride was advertised as intermediate and not for someone that hasn't been a bike recently.  I would advertise it as expert.  Jerusalem is a very hilly city and we went up and down every last one of them, on a sidewalk bordered by a busy street with busy pedestrian traffic.  We went all through the old city and finally got back to my hotel at 1 am.

PHOTOS HERE

Day1

Day 1 July 2,2013.  Once again. Harvey and I loaded the Jag and off we went to IAH.   Checked in and through TSA. Without a problem.  In the waiting lounge with a hour to go, the fun starts.   Uniformed police;  I believe CBP were wandering through the seated crowd and randomly searching passengers and their carry-ons.  After a very confusing line up to board, we started onto the jetway and CBP. was set up and screening carry ons of  just about everyone?

Flight actually pulled away 10 min early.   I fell asleep after dinner over Pittsburg and woke up 7 hrs later over Budapest.  Into Istanbul 1/2 hr early.  It was a good flight .  My first experience with Turkish Air.  It won't be my last.  3 hrs in the airport, another 1 1/2 hr flight and we were in Is Rael... Pulled up,next to a Delta747, United 777, and a US Air A 330.  I expected a real interrogation in Customs, but I waltzed right through .  Only one good looking gal questioned me.

After a 1 hr ride in the Nesser Sherut, I checked into the Dan,took a bath, and got in bed,22 1/2 hrs after I walked out of my unit.

PHOTOS HERE