challer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,264
Hey, DISers. Ive been asked by a few of you to post a trip report of my recent vacation to Israel. I know there was an Israel TR by mikelan6 that was absolutely fantastic with amazing pictures. I know itll be less impressive, but here it goes.
So, Ive been to Israel before, and I know Ill be there again. This trip was not a run all around seeing all the sites trip; it was a celebrate Passover, relax, see friends & family, and be inspired with the family trip. I spent a total of 2 weeks there, splitting my time in Eilat, Raanana (a suburb of Tel Aviv), and Jerusalem.
While I did what I could to take pictures of everything, there were days when I couldnt take pictures. As a Sabbath-observant Jew, I dont use electric products of the Sabbath & holidays, including cameras. So, there were 2 days of Sabbath and 4 days of Passover that my camera was not accessible. However, Ill relay my vivid memories in words as best as I can.
My wife, 2 kids (6 yo daughter & 3 yo son), and I boarded an Alitalia flight (ugh, awful airline!) on Sunday to Milan and, after a 4 hour layover, got on an El-Al flight (awesome airline!) to Tel Aviv. If youve never flown El Al man, you would get a lesson on what it takes to be on the safest airline in the world. They are the best.
We arrived in Israel Monday eve, saw family, and tried to shake the jetlag. Then, Tuesday morning, we took the long drive down to Eilat, Israels port city at the Red Sea. I hadnt been there since 1990, and what struck me was how close four different countries are there Israel, Jordan, Egypt, & Saudi Arabia. I was also reminded how this place is so important to Israels economy via imports & exports, and how Egypts blockade of this port in 1967 was truly the act of war that compelled Israel to retaliate.
We stayed at the Orchid Resort & Spa, which is a beautiful, Thai-themed resort close to the Taba border crossing into Egypt, and just across the street from the Underwater Observatory. Fantastic hotel! Each room is basically a villa with a wonderful view of the Red Sea and Aqaba, Jordan. When we arrived, I couldnt help but think that this had a hint of the Polynesian Resort to it. Our room had a king bed and a loft with 2 twin mattresses for the kids. They thought this was the coolest thing! My 3 yo pretended he was sleeping on a pirate ship the whole stay. The ladder was fun, and since the loft can be locked, I felt safe that none of the kids would try to wander during the night. Theyd just whisper down to us, and Id unlatch the loft door.
Orchid Resort & Spa: http://www.orchidhotel.co.il/en/index.cfm
Here's the view from our balcony. That white needle structure is the Underwater Observatory, and you can see the Red Sea and Jordan in the Background. Look at the rooftops of these villas!
My kids playing on the loft!
Tuesday night was swimming, buffet dinner, and pass out.
Wednesday morning started out with a beautiful ceremony at the pool overlooking the sunrise at the Red Sea called Birkhat Hachama, or Blessing of the Sun. According to Jewish tradition, one may say a special blessing on the sun when it reaches the point in the sky where it was when it was originally created (as in the Book of Genesis). This occurs every 28 years. Last time this happened, I was a teenager and wasnt aware of this rare opportunity, so the ability to do this in such a pristine setting was a spiritual gem.
The rest of the day of Wednesday was spent at an indoor Biblical theme park called City of Kings. It kept the kids occupied, but it was fairly underwhelming. The Disney rip offs were fairly obvious: a 3D movie about ancient Egypt with all the gags that Honey I Shrunk the Audience has & a boat ride that was basically a poor mans Pirates of the Caribbean themed to the life of King Solomon. We got stuck on this boat for 20 minutes in the ride. Not worth it.
My son in Kings City:
Wednesday night started Passover, and Ill just say that this hotel did not disappoint in terms of doing the holiday right for the guests. (Ill keep the seder details off the TR for now, but Ill be happy to go into detail if others would like.) Thursday & Friday were the holiday, and Saturday was the Sabbath, so a lot of relaxing around the pool & going for walks along the Red Sea.
My kids outside the room, dressed & ready for Passover:
The only attraction of note that we visited during the holiday was the Underwater Observatory, which was walkable from the hotel. This was gorgeous. As opposed to any aquarium, where fish and habitats are brought in for you to observe, this place brings you into the actual habitat of the fish. The fish, coral, and sea creatures were simply stunning. Kids & adults were wowed.
Saturday night, my wife & I went to stroll along the main walkway in Eilat along the water, where we did some shopping and people watching. And we said goodbye to Eilat.
Stay tuned for Part II!
So, Ive been to Israel before, and I know Ill be there again. This trip was not a run all around seeing all the sites trip; it was a celebrate Passover, relax, see friends & family, and be inspired with the family trip. I spent a total of 2 weeks there, splitting my time in Eilat, Raanana (a suburb of Tel Aviv), and Jerusalem.
While I did what I could to take pictures of everything, there were days when I couldnt take pictures. As a Sabbath-observant Jew, I dont use electric products of the Sabbath & holidays, including cameras. So, there were 2 days of Sabbath and 4 days of Passover that my camera was not accessible. However, Ill relay my vivid memories in words as best as I can.
My wife, 2 kids (6 yo daughter & 3 yo son), and I boarded an Alitalia flight (ugh, awful airline!) on Sunday to Milan and, after a 4 hour layover, got on an El-Al flight (awesome airline!) to Tel Aviv. If youve never flown El Al man, you would get a lesson on what it takes to be on the safest airline in the world. They are the best.
We arrived in Israel Monday eve, saw family, and tried to shake the jetlag. Then, Tuesday morning, we took the long drive down to Eilat, Israels port city at the Red Sea. I hadnt been there since 1990, and what struck me was how close four different countries are there Israel, Jordan, Egypt, & Saudi Arabia. I was also reminded how this place is so important to Israels economy via imports & exports, and how Egypts blockade of this port in 1967 was truly the act of war that compelled Israel to retaliate.
We stayed at the Orchid Resort & Spa, which is a beautiful, Thai-themed resort close to the Taba border crossing into Egypt, and just across the street from the Underwater Observatory. Fantastic hotel! Each room is basically a villa with a wonderful view of the Red Sea and Aqaba, Jordan. When we arrived, I couldnt help but think that this had a hint of the Polynesian Resort to it. Our room had a king bed and a loft with 2 twin mattresses for the kids. They thought this was the coolest thing! My 3 yo pretended he was sleeping on a pirate ship the whole stay. The ladder was fun, and since the loft can be locked, I felt safe that none of the kids would try to wander during the night. Theyd just whisper down to us, and Id unlatch the loft door.
Orchid Resort & Spa: http://www.orchidhotel.co.il/en/index.cfm
Here's the view from our balcony. That white needle structure is the Underwater Observatory, and you can see the Red Sea and Jordan in the Background. Look at the rooftops of these villas!
My kids playing on the loft!
Tuesday night was swimming, buffet dinner, and pass out.
Wednesday morning started out with a beautiful ceremony at the pool overlooking the sunrise at the Red Sea called Birkhat Hachama, or Blessing of the Sun. According to Jewish tradition, one may say a special blessing on the sun when it reaches the point in the sky where it was when it was originally created (as in the Book of Genesis). This occurs every 28 years. Last time this happened, I was a teenager and wasnt aware of this rare opportunity, so the ability to do this in such a pristine setting was a spiritual gem.
The rest of the day of Wednesday was spent at an indoor Biblical theme park called City of Kings. It kept the kids occupied, but it was fairly underwhelming. The Disney rip offs were fairly obvious: a 3D movie about ancient Egypt with all the gags that Honey I Shrunk the Audience has & a boat ride that was basically a poor mans Pirates of the Caribbean themed to the life of King Solomon. We got stuck on this boat for 20 minutes in the ride. Not worth it.
My son in Kings City:
Wednesday night started Passover, and Ill just say that this hotel did not disappoint in terms of doing the holiday right for the guests. (Ill keep the seder details off the TR for now, but Ill be happy to go into detail if others would like.) Thursday & Friday were the holiday, and Saturday was the Sabbath, so a lot of relaxing around the pool & going for walks along the Red Sea.
My kids outside the room, dressed & ready for Passover:
The only attraction of note that we visited during the holiday was the Underwater Observatory, which was walkable from the hotel. This was gorgeous. As opposed to any aquarium, where fish and habitats are brought in for you to observe, this place brings you into the actual habitat of the fish. The fish, coral, and sea creatures were simply stunning. Kids & adults were wowed.
Saturday night, my wife & I went to stroll along the main walkway in Eilat along the water, where we did some shopping and people watching. And we said goodbye to Eilat.
Stay tuned for Part II!
Your kids are adorable! Your 3 year old must be very well behaved..I work with pre-schoolers and it seems like he is very mature for his age.
