Weekend #2

It was decided that we were to go away up North for the weekend, yet again (this is starting to become a pattern we can get used to). On Friday we spent some time in Akko. We wandered around the old city, saw the Khan El Umdan, entered the Templar Crusader Tunnel, visited the port and had an excellent seaside dinner at Uri Buri and bought his cookbook of course.

The clock tower above the Khan El Umdan.

Docked fishing boats at the port

Fishing

The top of St. John Church.

The next day we were joined by our dear friend N and traveled to Nazareth (we had such a great time the week before that we had to return). This time we came a little earlier on in the day so we could explore the market. There were all kinds of shops, many selling kitchen ware, but this perfume shop caught our eye.

Since a trip to Nazareth is never complete without indulging in some sweet oriental dessert we had to sample the divine knafeh at El Muchtar Sweets (we thought it was better than the knafeh at Mahroum Sweets that we tried last week). But to be fair, we don't think you can go wrong with knafeh anywhere in Nazareth, the capital of sweets.

We soaked in the landscapes...

... and drove around finally reaching Zichron Ya'akov. We decided to drop by the city cemetery and pay a visit N's grandfather, one of the founders of the city. Our weekend of northern indulgence culminated at dinner in El Babur and before we knew it we were on our way back to Tel Aviv.

El Muchtar Sweets
Toufik Ziad Road
tel 04 6556027
(there's another branch on Paulus the Sixth Street tel 04 646 1661/2)

Saturday at the Park

We took a field trip to the Ayalon Park with some friends and were surprised to find a wild watermelon field.

Peres Center for Peace

Today was a gorgeous day and we took a walk through Tel Aviv south to Yaffo to check out the fairly new Peres Center for  Peace designed by Fuksas Architects. Apparently they have been opened since December (we stand corrected). We must re-visit some time during the week to check out the interior. Finally, a piece of architecture worth visiting!

Cairo!

The last two days we spent roaming the streets of Cairo, a beautiful, over populated fascinating city. We'll definitely be back. 

Zamalek neighborhood, as seen from a bridge over the Nile.

Inside the Sultan Hassan Mosque

A fellow explorer at the Khan Al-Khalili market.

Medieval gates at Khan Al-Khalili

Details of... Hieroglyphics

Sharia as-Souq, Aswan Market

The Nile

While in Aswan, we took a felucca ride on the Nile. A very cliche tourist attraction- we went for sunset- but beautiful nonetheless.

We went down to Egypt.

During the Passover holiday we joined A+L for a 9 day organized tour of Egypt. We don't do group tours, but as it was paid for, we thought it ridiculous to resist. It was a tumultuous journey. We joined forty 65+ Israeli travelers and wreaked havoc on the land of the Pharaohs. Egypt is an incredible country with much to see and do. We recommend going solo as it is safe and a major part of the fun is meeting the locals, an impossible feat when you're in a group tour.

The first day was all about the PYRAMIDS. Amazing.

Pyramids and tour buses.

The Sphinx.

Lunch at Abu Al-Abed

This Saturday we did something we hadn't done in a very long time. We joined some friends for lunch at Abu Al-Abed in Yaffo for, what we truly believe to be, the best authentic Arab restaurant in Tel Aviv. This place embodies everything we like about family-run Middle Eastern joints. It has the same decor and ambiance (do-it-yourself kitsch architecture) and the same order-eat-and go method, but their menu is much more extensive. In addition to the regular hummus/pita/salads trio, you can get yourself acquainted with some local Jaffa specialties and wonderful choice of grilled skewers. Things we like to order here are: fried shrimp, kebabs, siniya (a baked ground meat and tehini dish), cauliflower with lemon and garlic and kubbeh . Their salads and hummus are also excellent. It's well worth the long wait outside on a Saturday afternoon.

Abu Al-Abed

92 Yefet st., Yaffo 

tel 03 681 4665

Gordon Street Happening, Tel Aviv

On Fridays we often take walks around Tel Aviv, each time in a different neighborhood. This Friday we ventured south to Gordon street where a street happening -Shitut- was in full swing. We had some very good frozen yogurt at Tamara and then continued to some galleries which were politely speaking, not as good as the frozen stuff. About the galleries, in general they were an incoherent mish-mash of  mediocre art. These galleries have remained the same for years and continue to disappoint. The street performances, on the other hand, were a lot of fun. We like seeing neighborhood initiatives. Go Gordon!

Tamara
96 Ben Yehuda and the corner of Gordon St.
tel 03 5234449

A Trip to Tel Afek, near Rosh HaAyin

Friday was sunny and gorgeous, so we gathered our motivation, joined forces with Y, and ventured out of the city and into the pastoral landscape of Tel Afek. The nature reserve includes an Ottoman fortress, a lake and an abundance of green plains. We took a short walk around the site (it was easy and wheel chair/baby carriage accessible). It was a much needed outing and lots of fun.

Antipatris Fortress

An Abandoned British Water Plant

Rosh HaAyin from a distance.

A caterpillar! We really need to get out more.