Friends sharing – hahu"l calul

10 Best Things to do in Abu Dhabi

hilalevy — Wed, 19 May 2021 07:25:57 +0000

Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s capital and largest city, but its nearest neighbor, Dubai, grabs all attention for its effervescent
vibe and uber stylish architecture. But, don’t let Abu Dhabi’s low-key reputation fool you!It’s equally astonishing and rife
with activities! From going on a mangrove kayaking tour to exploring its cultural and historical landmarks, here’s a list of
things to do in Abu Dhabi which allows you to make the most of your time here.

1.Discover Sheikh Zayed Mosque

This is one of the best places to begin your Abu Dhabi exploration.

This colossal mosque is named after the UAE’s first

and late president (Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan). With a capacity to hold up to 40,000 worshippers,

it’s a true vision in white where its entire exterior is clad in high quality, pure white marble.

There are over 80 domes and 1000 plus columns. Moreover, it’s home to the world’s largest

hand-knotted carpet. The best thing is that this grand mosque is open

to all including non-Muslims and entry here is absolutely free. So don’t miss this sight –

it’s a sanctuary of peace and sheer beauty in the middle of the city.

2. Ascend Observation Deck At 300

This is one of Abu Dhabi’s highest viewing points from where you can take in the 360 degree views

over the city skyline, Persian Gulf, and beyond. True to its name, it’s perched at a height of

over 300 meters. You will find this inside the second tower of Etihad Towers, at Level

74 Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. There is also a café which is especially

famed for its afternoon café. The observation deck is open from 12:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs.

website: https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/what-to-see/iconic-landmarks/observation-deck-at-300

3. Go Wild At Yas Island

For those who think UAE’s best theme parks are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi too has its share of fantastic

theme parks and leisure attractions and you’ll find them all at Yas Island.

This man-made island is the region’s ultimate amusement and adventure

venue with attractions such as:

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: It’s the world’s first Ferrari theme park!

It boasts of some of the fascinating rides and attractions including the fastest of its kind

Formula Rossa roller coaster ride.

Warner Bros Abu Dhabi: Dedicated to your favorite superheroes and all-time-favorite cartoon characters,

each of its six lands is packed with astonishing rides, games and attractions.

CLYMB Abu Dhabi: It’s where you can take to the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall as well as the

largest sky diving flight chamber.

KidZania Abu Dhabi: This edutainment attraction on Yas Island is exclusively created for your

smaller ones between

four to 16 years. What makes it special is that your kids not only get to try their favorite adult

profession but also get paid too, thanks to KidZos currency.

Yas Marina Circuit: This will be known to many as the venue of the highly acclaimed

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But more than that, it’s one of the world’s most expensive F1 race tracks.

Yas Waterworld: Built as an honor to the region’s pearl diving heritage, it’s one of the largest

and most innovative water parks in the UAE.

4. Mangrove Kayaking Tour

Feel an invigorating sense of coolness, serenity and freedom as you set out on a kayaking or

paddling adventure along the

region’s natural mangrove forests. After all, it retreats you to a part of Abu Dhabi that is still

untouched and immaculately preserved.Surely, it allows you to admire its verdant landscape

and captivating flora and fauna in its true splendor.

5. Spend Some Time At Abu Dhabi Corniche

This is one of the best places to have some fun-filled relaxing moments in Abu Dhabi.

Stretching for more than eight kilometers along the shores of the city, it has a bit of

everything to keep everyone in your group engrossed. You can hire a

bicycle, enjoy swimming, and play football and volleyball, among many others.

The area around it also hosts some of the

region’s most iconic attractions such as Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, and the Founder’s Memorial.

See all of them

from an extraordinary vantage point on water with a thrilling Yellow Boat Cruise or a tranquil Sunset Cruise.

6. Desert Safari

Want to see the untouched side of Abu Dhabi but without ever driving far or leaving the city?

This is possible; just venture

out to Abu Dhabi’s desert landscape on an all-inclusive desert safari.

Beyond treating you with the unparalleled desert

beauty, this off-the-beaten-track tour is definite to get your blood pumping with its many activities such

as 4X4 dune bash, camel ride, quad biking, and sandboarding. Morning desert safaris

give you a slice of unequaled allure of desert, while evening desert safari promises

somewhat a detailed overview of the Bedouin culture and heritage,

thanks to experiences like henna tattooing, Shisha smoking, falconry etc. For those who

wish camp under the desert stars, there is overnight desert safari.

7. Go Back In Time At Qasr Al Hosn

Looking for an attraction or sight that breaks you away from the region’s modernity?

Visit Qasr Al Hosn which is a place of strategic historic importance. Tracing its origin back to

the 18 th century, it’s the region’s oldest heritage structure that once served as a defense,

further the residence of the ruling family, and later the seat of government. In the present era, it’s

converted into a museum where you’ll find here arts and artifacts that date back to 6000 BC.

Apart from these, you get to

check out its unique segments, mainly the House of Artisans and the Bait Al Gahwa.

8. Strike A Pose Against Emirates Palace

Take any sightseeing of Abu Dhabi – a visit to Emirates Palace will be one of the staple must-sees!

Rightly so, this palatial style structure is the region’s most premium hotels where every

aspect of it drips luxury. Its 390 plus guest rooms and suites are striking with out of the world comforts.

There are diverse options including one that serves 24 karat gold cappuccino. Above all,

its exterior is so breathtaking and vast that it’s unimaginable to culminate an Abu Dhabi trip

without capturing a picture against it.

9. Be In Awe At The Grandeur & Displays Of Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

Louvre Abu Dhabi has become one of the UAE’s most recognizable landmarks in recent times.

It’s courtesy to its jaw-

dropping architecture that seemingly appears like a floating structure on the Saadiyat Island

Cultural District. Add to this

its iconic name and inspiring artworks which make it the Arabian world’s biggest art museum.

With its strategic agreement with the French Government, come here prepared to see some of the

most timeless artworks by the brilliant artists like Leonardo Da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh to name a few.

And of course, its massive perforated dome which causes the marvelous rain of light effect deserves

a special mention.

10. Take A Day Trip

Did you know that Abu Dhabi is an archipelagic emirate with more than 200 islands?

And among the must-visits among them are Sir Bani Yas Island, Dalma Island,

and Zaya Nurai Island. Want to experience refreshing greenery in the desert?

Go on an Al Ain City Tour! Rightly called the UAE’s Garden City, Al Ain is a part of the

capital city and is sure to blow you away with lush parks, amazing museums, and mostly

Jebel Hafeet – the UAE’s second tallest mountain.

Conclusion

Most people travel to UAE for Dubai, but its capital city is a surprising package with the most

amazing things to do and see here. So make sure that you visit Abu Dhabi. And for ideas,

take inspiration from this list to compile your immaculate travel itinerary.

About the author:

Neha Singh is a travel blogger who enjoys traveling, meeting new people and l

earning about the local culture and food. She is always looking forward to visiting

new places and likes to play tennis in her spare time

Thanks for cooperating!

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Astana Kazakhstan – Jonathan Furman’s Trip

hilalevy — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 05:06:53 +0000

Imagine a huge country,

For instance, the ninth largest in the world as the size of all Western Europe!

With friendly locals, diverse landscapes, rare animals (like the snow leopard),

Futuristic cities and fascinating history!

In addition, imagine an anti-extremist Muslim state,

Secular and tolerant and multi-minority!

The president is careful to respect all religions and minorities in the country

And it seems that the Jewish community also lives here with confidence

and goodness.

This country reads: Kazakhstan!

Get a hot recommendation and some detailed “eating head”

About Kazakhstan’s new and designed capital:

Astana!

In fact, this is a thriving futuristic city brimming with luxury towers,

Parks and Shopping Centers!

A relatively new discovery of oil and gas reservoirs has created an

incredible, uninterrupted construction momentum.

Astana has become a declining Soviet town, surrounded by thousands of

square kilometers of desolate steppes

To a glittering modern city, lush with wide avenues, luxury hotels,

Blooming parks, luxury towers and bustling shopping centers!

Although Estana is located in the heart of Asia, it is heavily influenced by

Europe and has been nicknamed

“The Star of Euro-Asia”,

And this is the only capital city in the world, meaning “capital” in Kazakh.

Some claim that the city was not given a specific name, to allow it to be named

in due time after the president.

Today Astana is an administrative, socio-economic and political center

of Kazakhstan.

A few days’ visit to the new capital turns out to be a fascinating but

very confusing experience.

It takes at least two days to get out of the shock of what you see there.

Most important and recommended sites in the city:

* Kazakhstan National Avenue – (Nurzhol Boulevard) –

It is a magical avenue located in the heart of the city, and it is for pedestrians

only.

* The Baiterek Tower – the symbol of the city! This is a 97 meter

high observation tower,

Symbolizing Kazakhstan’s cultural past, and seen from every corner of the city.

At the top of the tower is a large glass crown with a gold ball symbolizing

Samarok, the mythical bird that cast a golden egg.

You can take a quick elevator into the panoramic hall for spectacular city views

The yellow windows can prevent proper photography, inside the tower there is

also an art gallery and restaurant.

* Aqorda Presidential Palace – Kazakh Presidential Palace,

Designed similar to the White House and incorporates colors from the

state’s national flag.

The huge complex, which surrounds the presidential palace, is located:

Houses of Parliament, Supreme Court,

The National Library, whose building looks like a blue-eyed eye,

Gold towers, open plazas and beautiful flower gardens (in summer).

*Hazret Sultan Mosque – the largest and most beautiful mosque in Central

Asia.

It is a huge palace, considered the most beautiful site of Astana.

* Palace of Peace and Reconciliation – special structure,

Built in the shape of a colored glass pyramid, which many believe is an

“eighth world wonder”.

The pyramid aims to symbolize peace and the way to unity of peoples

and religions in the world,

It includes a concert and opera hall, a conference hall, art galleries,

exhibitions, and more.

* National Museum of Kazakhstan –

The museum deals with the history and culture of Kazakhstan from

ancient times to the present day.

The museum’s halls include interactive displays and art displays.

The museum also has a rich collection of objects related to the

nomadic culture of Kazakhstan and a collection of breathtaking gold jewelry.

* Independence Square – a huge and impressive square

With so many amazing buildings in one place.

The square is located close to the pyramid, the mosque and the

National Museum.

Other sites you can visit:

Kazakhstan’s first presidential museum – one of Astana’s main attractions.

The museum presents unique archival documents, scientific material,

and books written by Nazarev, the first President of Kazakhstan.

The museum also has many gift collections, prizes and items.

Atkman – a huge complex (spread over 2 dunams),

showcasing its historical and cultural wealth

Of Kazakhstan using miniatures.

Miniatures Park – contains over 200 different cities and sites from all

over Kazakhstan.

* If there is enough time, it is highly recommended to leave the city for

a few days to the nature reserves and / or take a plane flight to Almaty

The largest city in Kazakhstan, and the country’s capital in the past.

Shopping:

Astana offers quite a few shopping malls, fashion boutiques,

souvenir shops, and unique stores, and all at attractive prices.

The highlight and the first place to stop for shopping in Astana is

the Khan Shatyr Center!

It is a huge indoor center (127,000 square meters) for entertainment

and shopping,

Spread over three floors of brand shops, cafes, restaurants, playgrounds,

movie theaters

And even an artificial beach with an aquatic park that maintains a constant

35 degree tropical climate

And original sand from the Maldives! The complex is covered all seasons,

And serves as an entertainment and shopping center even as temperatures

drop below zero during Astana winters.

Address: 25 Abay Avenue, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The center is considered the largest tent in the world!

pictue from the internet:

Food:

In Astana you can taste traditional Russian and Kazakh cuisine,

Alongside American, Japanese, Indian and European cuisine.

Thanks to the import of chefs from all over the world, these chefs now run

the best restaurants in Astana,

And the menus vary with the seasons and the personal preferences of

each chef.

The food is excellent and cheap, the menus are usually written only in Russian.

Astana at night

Night life:

The city’s club scene is booming, with new and hot places opening all the time.

Astana’s clubs attract Dj’s international and young audience.

The first thing to know about Astana nightlife,

The one who usually comes to the club late fashionable.

The clubs are empty until midnight, and most of them stay open until

four in the morning.

The second thing to know is that the entry policy is very tough,

So make sure you get dressed nicely and respectfully to enter the club.

Accommodation:

There are dozens of hotels in Astana,

When the fancy and expensive hotels are in the new part of town.

I highly recommend the Best Western Plus Hotel (click on the hotel-name)

The hotel is located in the heart of the city and (relatively) close to all

major and recommended sites of the city.

How to get to Astana?

There are no direct flights from Israel to Kazakhstan,

So the most likely options for reaching Astana International Airport (TSE) are:

With Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST), or with Airplot via Moscow (SVO).

* It is highly recommended to check the flight hours (take-off and landing)

and the duration of the connection.

* Another option is to integrate Moscow at the end or beginning of the trip,

(Take a long concoction in Moscow and take a walk around the city).

currency:

The local currency is called Tanga (KZT)

One dollar is worth about 330 tanga.

One shekel is worth about 92 tanga.

Transportation from the airport to the city:

You can reach the city center by convenient and efficient buses,

Or order a taxi from a taxi station located within the airport at a cost

of 2500 tanga (about NIS 30).

Public transportation and city traffic:

You can travel by bus and / or get there by taxi.

About Taxi Travel:

It should be noted that the same side of the river should not cost

more than 500 tanga (about NIS 5),

And a trip across the river should cost about 700 tanga (about NIS 8).

A few more things to know:

* The recommended period for visiting Astana is from May to October.

November to April are the coldest months in the country that manifest in

harsh winters with extreme temperatures.

* Power outlets like in Israel.

* Languages spoken: Residents are fluent in Russian, and few speak English.

* Israelis are not required to issue a visa.

Astana is ahead of the Israeli clock in three hours.

*** Possibility to go to Moscow city ***

After landing at SVO Airport, continue towards Passport Audit,

There they indicate that they are in a long concourse and want to go around

the city for a bit.

Go towards the Harrox Express Train (there is a Train to Moscow signage),

Purchase a round-trip ticket by train through the machine or through a

manned checkout

– Ticket cost 1000 rubles (about 60 NIS).

The train leaves every half hour to the city, and the journey takes

about 35 minutes.

Get off at the last station called Belorusskaya,

Get out of the station, turn left or ask a young friend who knows some English,

And arrive at the Belarsky Metro Station on Line 2, which is green in the

direction of Teatralnaya Station

– The third stop from Belaroski.

Exit the metro station and go up the stairs.

We recommend staying close to the metro station, most of the important

attractions are there.

(The information on the Moscow connection is taken from

Hila Mor Alon’s post on “This Abroad Here” on Facebook)

Conclusion,

In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before Kazakhstan re-enters the

world map,

And anyone who visits it – will come back with a taste of more!

Just don’t try jokes about Borat, it doesn’t really work with them..

Jonathan

May, 2018

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Poland with a 3-year-old – Lena Tzur’s trip

hilalevy — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 12:10:05 +0000

Lena Tzur is a single mother,

She has been traveling with her three-year-old son around the country

and the world since he was born.

Before the trip to Poland, Lena had some concerns,

Because Poland is a new place for her and also because of the

Polish language ..

The trip was planned a year in advance, air tickets were booked from LOT

to Wroclaw,

The week-long trip (too short for Lena’s taste but that’s the number of days

off she could take).

The car was ordered through Express.

Polish Zloty = about one shekel. This makes it very easy to do calculation

and conversion.

And here’s Lena’s trip detail:

I have to say I was traveling with concerns about road travel,

But look what a wonder, the Israeli driver is far more rude and scary on

the road than the Polish drivers.

I have not encountered one act of bullying on the road, as I meet here

on the country roads every day

And I traveled in Poland for over 700 km! So there is nothing to fear

about driving there.

An important detail that changed the initial trip data a bit:

Once I booked the flight I did a flight cancellation insurance through

Trip Guaranty,

This is a flight cancellation insurance if you cancel your flight on your

own initiative

And not due to cancellation of the airline. In this case, the insurance

will refund you 80% of the cost of the flight.

Good thing I did the insurance because my days off did change a bit

And I had to cancel the flight and book a new one.

Luckily I came across a discounted deal through WIZZ airline and

booked through them.

This time the destination was Katowice, which was excellent because

I now had less than 400 km of road travel,

And with a 3 year old (Tasmanian Demon) it’s better to have as little travel

as possible!

Because I didn’t know what tantrum I would get every day

In the Katowice field, I bought a local sim for 5 zlotys with 10GB surfing

and unlimited calls!

In Katowice we landed after midnight so we spent the first night in this

simple hotel.

Nice, small place, just spend the night.

Plus fine breakfast, no wow, only 15 zlotys a night.

A taxi from the field there cost 40 zlotys.

At 9 am the car I ordered arrived, and by 10 am we were already on our

way to Zatorland

It’s kind of a huge amusement park, full of options for kids,

My son wasn’t the right height for the little roller coaster there, but he

could do everything else.

Another fun spot there is a huge, amazing dinosaur park that we spent at

least an hour and a half.

Simply amazing. The dinosaurs seem to be alive, with voices and

movements and it’s really amazing.

There is also an insect park, and a small playground, and a nice little

upstairs house.

Admission for this attraction for adult and child is about 59 zlotys,

plus 5 zlotys for parking.

The food there is relatively cheap. So we spent 4 hours having fun.

This is the URL of the place: https://zatorland.pl/en

We then drove to Krakow.

I booked through Booking.com this place.

I chose the place mainly because of the price, the reviews and the one

that was an option

For free and private parking (which is rare in city centers).

With all the simplicity, this is the place I loved most in Poland!

The place owners are really nice, breakfast was good,

If any of you speak Russian then the mother speaks Russian

better than English, which has helped tremendously.

We were there for two days, I didn’t move the car and used Uber.

Uber from there downtown got me a 15 zloty roof, which is a hit.

And because I was relatively close to the center, I didn’t wait more

than 4 minutes for Uber.

If you are there, I highly recommend using this option instead of a regular

car or taxi.

Opposite the lodging is a grocery store so that is the complement to the

food I needed there.

Of course in Krakow we were in the very busy main square,

We were also at:

1. Butterfly Museum

2. The Lego Exhibition – We were there for over two hours. Just a great place!

After two days in Krakow, we said goodbye to the wonderful hosts and

drove really early in the morning towards Zakopane.

drove on Route 7 and then we turned onto a side road that goes directly

to a water park that I wanted,

This is how I avoided the traffic jams of Zakopane.

There were jobs on the road so there was a rush at all hours.

Although I drove slower, the speed on the roads there is 70

But I preferred to drive slower than being stuck in a traffic jam.

About Zacapone – I have to say I was expecting more from the place and

was disappointed,

Because two days was horrendous weather, and we were mostly at games

and closed water parks.

I didn’t feel like enjoying the beauty of the place. However we did and

supplied quite a lot.

Prior to my arrival there, I booked this cabin through Airbnb.

This is an authentic Polish, old cabin. Very nice,

The landlords are so nice that I felt like I was part of the family.

My only problem was that the place was very small for me with a 3 year

old boy,

That he had no where to play and spend energy indoors,

As mentioned, two days of rain in the first two days.

But if you are a couple or traveling alone, this cabin will be a stamp for you.

I booked it for 4 nights and finally decided to shorten and return to Katowice

on the last day,

Because it’s a long drive and I didn’t want to load and do everything in one day.

Zakopane was packed with tourists. Busy Busy Busy.

And it’s also something that didn’t do me any good.

What did we do in Zakapone 4 days?

1. On the first day we were in a stunning water park called Chuchowsky.

It was stunning.

We spent three hours there. We paid about 85 zlotys (for both of us).

Anyone who buys a ticket gets a locker for their stuff. So it was

really comfortable.

Then we drove to our cabin, and then headed out toward downtown and

the main street,

There were so many people there that I saw nothing but people.

There are lots of stalls in the place, and everyone sells the same thing.

Just the same.

I tried their smoked cheese and didn’t get excited, let’s just say …

2. The second day we drove to Aqua Park, it is a water park within Zakopane.

Nice, less exciting than Chochowsky, but there I was able to skate with

my son together.

That at Chochowsky was forbidden.

We were there for two and a half hours and it was really fun, although the

water there is colder.

And it was a very cool day!

Then we went on to games, gymnastics and the like,

Every closed place we could spend on a rainy day.

We were also in such a small jungle of parrots called Egzotyczne,

We fed the parrots and mostly tried to get them to sit on us. It’s nice for

half an hour no more.

We also visited a restaurant where the top floor is a restaurant

And the bottom floor is a gym for the kids,

The parents sitting in the restaurant have a huge screen that broadcasts

what is done on the gym floor.

My son spent more than an hour there while I drank coffee and

cake after eating a meal.

It was amazing that this thinking about children and parents was a stamp instead.

Address:

Zajazd Furmański

Pardałówka 27

34-531 Zakopane

3. On our third day in Zacapone, it was no longer raining but gentle.

I decided that we would go up to Gubałówkę Mountain, which is a mountain with a kind of funicular,

Admission cost 23 for a two-way card at Funicular.

Up there is a crowd full of stalls, which sell about the same,

Plenty of food, restaurants and games for children.

Small tip:

If you board the Funicular, do not enter the first Gymburi slide

(they take 10 zlotys for 10 minutes)

Go for a second, where 10 zlotys are paid indefinitely.

Also, there is a nice rope park there that is also indefinitely.

We walked to the end of the mountain and reached open cables,

There I bought a round-trip ticket on the cable car at 18 Zloty.

My son really enjoyed it, and the view was just amazing too.

4. On the last day in Zacapone, the sun came out as if we were in Israel,

That is why I decided I would not give up on a walk in the wild.

We drove to Dolina Koscieliska. Just an amazing place!

The trail is accessible by carts, and there were lots of parents for kids in carts.

On the right there is a forest, on the left there is a forest, beside the

path there is a flowing stream, and nature and quiet, just amazing.

Really recommend not to give up and go there.

There are parking spaces between 25 and 30 zlotys.

Entering the reserve at a cost of 5 zlotys from the age of 6 seems to me.

There are also horses out there that can make this journey for you,

But walking is mostly planar, and I didn’t feel it was necessary.

Also, I really felt sorry for the horses.

In my opinion from everything I’ve heard about the places in the area,

this is the most worthwhile place.

And allows for a real trip. We walked in about 3 miles.

After finishing the route (we didn’t make it to the end) we headed for Krakow

To the hotel I booked last night.

It’s a really nice 3 star hotel, with a restaurant that works in the evening,

And great food, the accommodation I ordered includes breakfast.

Important Note: If you book a room there, ask for a room that does not

face the road,

Because the road is one of the busiest there and you hear cars driving

even if the window is closed.

The reason I took this hotel is because it has a small playground for kids,

And good reviews, breakfast and it is about 70 km from the field in Katowice.

It really reset us towards returning to Israel.

There is also a children’s play area in the dining room, which is a real rescue.

It was a great success!

And that’s it, it’s our trip.

I also had a great desire to get to Slovakia, but I just couldn’t do it

because of the weather.

It would have seemed unnecessary to go there in bad weather.

Hope you enjoyed our trip!

Lena

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Bucharest, Romania

hilalevy — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 10:02:08 +0000

A couple's trip abroad

How does an educated girl celebrate the separation from citizenship

and recruitment to the IDF?

No, it’s not her recruitment date, this time it’s her boyfriend’s recruitment date.

Of course, on a trip abroad!

The young couple (aged about 18) approached me and asked me to help

them find a destination that fits their pocket and age.

So what destination is at stake? Where is it best for them to fly?

This is a trip for a young couple who want to fly alone to a cheap

destination (both cheap flight and cheap stay).

The destination should be age-appropriate, a new destination for them,

with a vibrant nightlife and it has to be a good place for shopping !! of course!

So I sat and thought with them, and we made a decision (rather they

insisted on flying to):

Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Bucharest meets all these requirements.

European city, with many Israeli tourists, lively nightlife,

Inexpensive hotels, good shopping areas, romantic parks, warm baths

And the costs are cheap and suitable for all types of travelers.

So let’s get started, how was the trip ?!

The dry details:

The passengers – an 18 year old couple.

Flight – Wise Air Flight 160$ per person (including a large suitcase and

2 trolleys per couple).

The tickets were purchased before Wise-Air made a change in its

baggage policy

The cost of the hotel is about 518$ per couple for 4 nights, including breakfast.

Travel insurance – booked from here.

Hike – Four nights in October.

The Romanian currency is called Lei (or Ron by the locals).

The ley rate is 1 ley = 90 agorot (about 1 NIS / 0.22 USD).

It is easy to convert to Leigh in the country, but you should only convert

a small amount for the first day and the rest of the money to convert

from Bucharest from Euro to Leigh.

So what can you do in Bucharest for 4 nights?

First of all, because it was only a few nights, I recommended that they

spend only in Bucharest and not to go outside, although Romania has lots

to offer outside of Bucharest.

Another important detail, it is important to adjust the content of the trip

to the weather and the season.

October is the beginning of autumn in Bucharest,

The leaves in the trees get interesting fall colors and you can still walk in

the various parks.

All places planned for this trip – pre-entered into Google Map,

And before every departure for a particular place, the distance map to

the destination and the best way to reach it is checked.

* For convenience, I will tell you about the trip, as Shoham tells it,

The first day of the trip:

the flight departed from Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport and was

comfortable and pleasant,

We didn’t pay for seats on the plane and there was no problem sitting together,

The plane was not full.

We landed in Bucharest at 12:25 p.m.

At the airport, next to a flower-stand stands a woman,

Which sell for about 50 Lei 5 GB local SIM card.

Please: Keep a good watch on the SIM you removed from your phone.

After purchasing a sim card, we downloaded the UBER app

(with the local sim card phone-number).

But we haven’t used the app yet because we booked a taxi through the

yellow machines at the airport exit,

Choose at the machine the company you want to travel with (based on

the price, choose the low price).

We took a note (which says which taxi will take us) and went outside to

where the taxi drivers are waiting.

We drove to our hotel when we arrived we pay to the taxi driver 36 lee

(we rounded it up to 40 lee).

The hotel we booked is a lovely boutique hotel called Concorde

This is an Israeli-owned hotel named Yuval . The hotel is in a great location

in the old city of Bucharest.

The room was clean and beautiful and the staff gave us excellent service!

Everyone there helped us with every request.

Link to booking a hotel room here

The hotel has two entrances, the main entrance is on Splaiul Independentei

2D Street,

Where there is direct and easy access, even with a car, to the

hotel parking area,

The second entrance is at 38-42 Franceza (pedestrian).

A gym is available at the hotel 24 hours a day.

The hotel’s front desk is open 24 hours a day and you can order there :

Museum Tickets, Places in Restaurants, Group or Private Tours

of Bucharest, Sinaia, Bran and many other beautiful places inside or

outside Bucharest.

You can also order Private transfers to airports, shopping centers, etc.

The hotel is highly recommended! There is no need to rush to hotels that

all Israelis are in.

This hotel met all our requirements and fitted us like a glove to the hands.

After settling in at the hotel and eating to satisfy the great hunger we had,

(We were really hungry and glad we brought home-prepared food with us),

We took a walk in the hotel area to get to know the surroundings.

We strolled around the old town near the hotel, soaking up the atmosphere

And from there we proceeded (do you believe that? On the first-day

shopping) to the Unirea Mall

Which is not far from the hotel, in the city center just off the Old Town.

The Unirea Mall started out as a small department store and is now a

large department store with plenty of upscale stores.

Clothing, footwear, toys and more.

The mall is located in Bucharest Unirii Square (Unirii Subway Station)

Among the familiar names at the mall you will find stores of:

H&M, Zara, New Yorker and more.

In addition to the well-known stores, you can eat at well-known food

chains such as McDonald’s and KFC.

The mall is very successful, and there’s a good chance that you won’t

leave empty-handed.

After shopping, we returned to the hotel to rest,

We did a massage at the hotel, 130 le / hour (it was a little disappointing

and not effective enough) and after resting, we went out at the bar with

a couple of friends we met here by chance and with whom we walked

most places on the trip.

There are plenty of bars in the Old City, and almost everyone has good vibes!

We had a fun day!

good night now!

On the second day of our trip:

we got up around 9 am, After having breakfast at the hotel,

we set off on foot to Chishmiju Park,

there we did boat cruising. The park is located right downtown.

It is a beautiful old park with a lake, restaurants, cafes and nice places to sit.

In the summer you can even attend performances by local musicians

who perform in the park.

We rented a pedal boat park (also has a paddle boat), for 10 leys per person

for half an hour.

If you want to rent a boat and sail, we recommend arriving at a midweek

rather than a weekend,

because then there is no load of people.

We also sat there in a nice cafe.

After spending time in the park with our friends we split up-

two of us went to the Radisson Blu Hotel to play at the casino

and the other two were strolling down Victoria Street (Oniri Avenue).

These are long and wide avenues, which begin in the Constitution Square

next to the People’s Palace.

Some will say that Victoria Avenue is an attempt to emulate the

Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris,

You have to be in both places to tell if they are similar or not.

There are water fountains in the center of the avenue.

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there are various performances.

On Victoria Boulevard we saw this building (pictured), it’s a beautiful

building built in 1900,

located in front of the National Museum of Romanian History,

this is the headquarters of the National Savings Bank C.E.C, now known

as the CEC Bank. Impressive and beautiful structure!

After each of us did what he chose to do, each couple returned to the hotel.

Our friends were at the Royal Bucharest Hotel,

also well located in the Old City.

Coffee lovers will be pleased to know that this hotel has a Starbucks.

But near our hotel, there is a cute place called Coffeol with cool ice cream,

We sat there eating this pile of ice cream:

On the third day of our trip, after breakfast, we left for Parcul Herăstrău

It is the largest park in Bucharest, the park has a beautiful and

romantic lake, spacious lawns, bicycle trails,

restaurants, and music concerts during the summer season.

The place is cozy and suitable for the whole family.

We rented bicycles and pedaled for our enjoyment in the beautiful park.

Bicycle rental cost 6 Leigh per bicycle per hour (pennies!).

Important: You must present a passport for each pair of bicycles

(they do not take your passport, they only photograph it for security purposes).

Park Address: Sector 1

The Arcul Gate of Triumph. In the middle of Kissilev Boulevard,

near Restrough Park,

the gate was established in 1878 to mark Romania’s independence.

At noon, we got organized and took a taxi to Terma Bucharest,

together with our friends.

Taxi fare: 70 Lei.

Another option to get there: free with shuttles from Romana Square

every two hours,

but check-in hours must be checked at the Terma website.

Best place in Bucharest! This is one of the best spa centers in Europe,

the place offers various thermal pools at a temperature of

33 degrees, massages (massage is required in advance),

massage or spa treatment cost between 80 and 130 lei for 45 minutes.

Mud to smear on the body, children’s complex with water slide, wave pool,

spa area and more.

We spent about 5 hours there, from noon into the night,

this way we saw the place in daylight and also illuminated by night lighting.

You must get there with flip-flops, a towel, and a bathing suit in your bag

and not on you.

It is forbidden to bring food (you can, of course, buy something to eat there).

It is most convenient to walk there among the complexes with a robe.

You can perhaps borrow a robe from the hotel or rent a robe there on 24 Lei.

If you want to take a shower there at the end of the day, don’t forget to

bring your clothes, shampoo, and conditioner.

The cost of admission depends on which compound you will spend and

how many hours you will be there.

Prices (updated on the website):

It is not possible to book a massage at the phone in advance,

but only on the spot, based on free space.

Prices and types of massage in the newsletter here.

If you don’t like water slides and spa then you only have to pay for the

pool complex.

Note: On the way to the Terma you can visit decathelon store, for those

who like this store it is worth geting there .

At the end of this particularly fun day, we went out again to one of

the pubs nearby.

Good night!

The fourth day of the trip has arrived, tomorrow we return to Tel Aviv on

an early morning flight,

We took the day at Izzy and after breakfast we drove to Botanical Garden,

The truth is that although the place is beautiful, especially in throwing colors –

It’s the only place on our trip that we were willing to give up,

maybe it’s more interesting here in the spring?

Maybe the park is better suited to the genre lovers (flowers and vegetation)?

We didn’t find a special issue here,

except for some pretty pictures…

The gardens are in the east of the city and have plant crops from all over

the world, the plants are divided into a garden according to the types of

climate and countries of origin, with an emphasis on the types of

plants growing in Romania.

There is also a small museum, which we did not enter.

From the gardens we proceeded to the Afi Mall

the mall is two stories high and it is especially huge,

the mall has twenty movie theaters, including the first Imax of its kind

in Romania.

You will find there hundreds of brand stores, climbing walls, ice skating rink,

children’s employment and dozens of restaurants and cafes.

Epic Mall is a 20-minute drive from the city center.

Address: Bulevardul Vasile Milea 4, Bucharest

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm.

Other places to shop in Bucharest:

Not far from Afi Mall, Plaza Romania Mall is located,

this mall is best suited for families with children.

It is very large and includes most of the brands we all know.

Address Bulevardul Timișoara 26, Bucharest 061331

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm

Baneasa Shopping City Mall located in a large shopping park.

In the mall, you will find a wide range of fashion brands.

Address Șoseaua București-Ploiești 42D, București

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm.

Bucharest Mall (Bucharesti) – The first mall in Bucharest,

less crowded than other malls, relatively close to downtown,

here you will also find a variety of brand stores.

After recent shopping, we booked a cab for tomorrow

‘one of the nice taxi drivers who came to us via the uber app.

We printed our boarding passes at the hotel and organized for a short

night’s sleep and to our morning flight.

We had a very enjoyable and successful trip! Which of course made us want

to dream and plan our next trip,

but first, we have to join the army and only then to spread wings and fly.

So be good, thank you for reading here,

We would love to read your comment below!

If you have more than 4 days in Bucharest, here

More places to see in Bucharest and surroundings:

Tinertoloi Park – called the youth park, this is an interesting park located

just outside the city,

and it forms one part of Bucharest’s green lung.

As in the parks we visited, here too is full of vegetation and a beautiful lake.

Palace of Parliament – Palatul Parlamentului or House of the People,

a building that won the title of the second-largest building in the world,

It is actually the most important and famous site in Bucharest.

The palace has undergone renovation and upgrading and has become a

special and huge modern building of its size.

The Parliament Palace is located on a high ground that used to be a

residential neighborhood.

Residents were evacuated from their homes when they built the palace.

The huge building is eighty-four meters high.

Today, the palace serves as the seat of the Romanian parliament

and government ministries, and parts of it serve as an art museum.

Another famous building in Bucharest, which is also considered the

most beautiful building in Bucharest is

Ateneul Român,

It is a beautiful architectural building erected in 1888, from the design

of the building you can learn about the history of Bucharest.

There are equal concerts in the building and can be entered for a fee.

Address: Str. Benjamin Franklin 1-3.

Strada Xenofon-singura stradă în trepte –

It’s a street built 220 years ago!

The street has its own unique design and is built in stages and stairs

and serves as a showcase for modern art.

Each year, the ornate and decorated stairs are repainted by students from

the academy of Painting.

At the moment (end of 2018) the entire area is undergoing renovations,

the renovation status needs to be updated before arriving.

* On the way to Xenophon Street, pass by Carroll Park, if you are there

on Sunday, at the entrance to the park you can see a small flea market

where you can find special flea market.

pasajul macca vilacrosse Indoor Street – Passage, completed in 1891.

Because the place is indoors, it is suitable for a rainy day or cool weather.

Here you will find cafes, bars and restaurants, and just a nice place to

hang out when there is nothing better to do.

You should also visit the Old City, Revolution Square, the National Museum

of art and more.

Lucianca Park – Children’s adventure park. The park is about 35 km from

the center of Bucharest, It is full of challenging facilities, including

climbing paths on ropes, archery,

many adventure facilities such as inflatable castles and more.

There is also a small zoo with a petting zoo and a well-kept lake.

I recommend that you find out the days and opening hours in advance!

Open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday by pre-order.

Edenland Park – In the park ropes, archery, horse riding, omegas,

Paintball, bike tours in the woods and more.

There are special tracks that are also suitable for small children.

Address: Strada Cantonului, Balotești 077015

Website link

Bucharest Nightclubs:

You should go to this link and choose a suitable club,

and check days and hours of operation.

Places outside Bucharest:

Brasov, Mamia (at summer), Sinaia (by train), Sibiu, Dracula’s palace,

a day trip in the Carpathian Mountains is recommended to take an

organized tour or rent a car.

On a trip to the Carpathian Mountains you see amazing views and at

low costs. You should take a guide with recommendations.

For your use:

a map with all the places mentioned in the post

(the purple places we visited are marked)

Tips and warnings we received from mom:

* Book a taxi only through the Uber app.

* If the mass cost is so cheap, don’t hesitate to round up the amount or give

the driver a little tip, for the good feeling.

* Keep away from dog bands.

* Always check the surplus that we are given, hope they will not deceive us and

will not return us any less excess than we deserve.

* Want to enter the casino? take your visit to the casino as a pastime,

set aside a certain amount in advance and know that chances are you will

leave without it but you have acquired a special experience that is not in

the country.

Have a good time !

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Malaga and Southern Spain – Anat’s Trip

hilalevy — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 19:23:23 +0000

Tips and itinerary in Malaga and southern Spain

parking:

It is very important to find hotels that guarantee car parking.

There is a parking problem in southern Spain, the streets are very

narrow and there is no place to park.

Almost all the hotel parking spaces are also paid, but it’s worth it.

Sites that need pre-booked tickets:

caminito del Rey – The King’s Way – In my opinion, a must-see!

It is about 2.5 km of bridges hanging in stunning scenery.

Alhambra (If tickets cannot be purchased on-site then through the

hotel listed below).

Our trip length:

8 days (but we were missing one more day in Seville).

Car:

We rented from Rentlecar

Our itinerary:

Sunday:

We landed in a scholarship and slept in a simple hotel near the field because we landed late at night, around 11 pm.

Hotel Name: Campanile (click on the hotel name for hotel reservation)

Monday: We went to Mijas – a beautiful white village.

And to Marbia – a beautiful white village up the mountain,

we also visited his port – not to be missed!

There is also an amazing promenade with upscale shops and cars

and yachts of affluent people.

We had lunch at Merbia.

Hotel accommodation in La Posada del Conde near Caminito Del Rey-

through the King.

Tuesday: King’s Road

Our hotel is close to Caminito Del Rey – King Road –

Suspended bridges – not to be missed – a must !!!

Since there were no tickets available at King’s Road, we bought

tickets in advance through the hotel with the reservation of the hotel room.

I wrote in comments about the room reservation status at the hotel that

I would like to purchase tickets through and they saved me tickets.

You can also purchase it on the website.

Please note, only a limited number of people can log in each day so

as not to overload the suspended bridges.

Visiting the King Road was in my opinion the most beautiful part of the trip.

It takes about half a day to go there.

After being on the King’s Road we went to visit Ronda

* My recommendation: Visit Ronda before seeing the hanging bridges that

don’t get excited about it after the breathtaking scenery of the King’s Road.

We went to overnight in Gibraltar.

* It is recommended to take the motorway route – we have traveled on trails that are not well paved,

A lovely way but the Wise did not work well and the journey takes a long time after such a long and tiring day.

Gibraltar accommodation at the hotel – Ohtels Campo De Gibraltar

Great hotel and highly recommended because it is well located, 5 minutes walk from the city entrance, thus saving the traffic jams at the entrance to the city.

We walked from it to the places we hiked, about 10 minutes’ walk and the car stayed in the parking lot.

To find a hotel in Gibraltar go here

Wednesday: Trip to Gibraltar.

From the entrance to Gibraltar take a bus and get off where the shuttles are to the high mountain in Gibraltar.

* It is advisable not to take a cable car

(we took and very bad – unnecessary) because then there is a lot of walking

And you can’t get all the sites on Mt.

The recommendation is to take a minibus that includes a shuttle +

payment for all sites – the minibus stops at every site,

Turn around a bit, return to the minibus and proceed to the next site.

We were sorry we didn’t take a minibus. I thought a cable car was

nicer but since the same price is better than a minibus,

The scenery is beautiful but the uphill cable car takes about 5 minutes

maybe less, not enough to enjoy the scenery and already get off.

For people traveling through the shuttles:

The shuttle stops at each site, go down the site and goes to the

next site after all people have returned.

At Gibraltar, we were in a stalactite cave, a glass floor,

and a New World monuments

We also went further down the street in Gibraltar – very nice,

there are nice restaurants and cafes.

After early lunch, we drove to Seville – the drive about 200 km on the highway.

Thursday:

In Seville – as mentioned, insist on a hotel with parking even prepaid.

We were at the hotel: Becquer (I couldn’t book a reservation and booked

directly on the hotel’s website).

Excellent hotel in the city center, we paid about NIS 70 per night

in advance. There’s a steward who parks and pulls out the vehicle.

Also, the hotel provides those interested in a free tour of the city.

In my opinion, it is highly recommended to be in Sibylla two nights,

we were only one night and very sorry.

Friday: Cordoba

We stayed at a hotel called Eurostars Maimonides – in the center of

the Jewish Quarter.

The location is excellent and the hotel is good.

We walked the city on foot and also by minibus which slowly travels

through the charming streets of Cordoba and while the driver stops

and explains the important sites (do not come down and go up).

How to get to this minibus? There is a small town center near the bridge

with some such minibusses.

The old town is small and not a problem to get to know it.

The highlight of the minibus tour was a stop by the beautiful and special

Patio Patio, throughout the city.

The city of Cordoba holds the most beautiful patio competition and so

there are many beautiful patios there.

Friday: Granada

We stayed at the Guadalupe Hotel

This hotel is the closest to Alhambra.

Tickets can be obtained through the hotel to Alhambra

(at the time of booking).

Don’t be tempted to book tickets through other sites on the Internet.

It is worth booking on the official website of Alhambra –

well in advance – or through the hotel

And check that the tour includes the real palace and gardens.

We booked through a site that looked respectable on the Internet

and at the end of the tour it turned out we had not visited the real gardens

And in the real palace in question, but in the summer palace and

gardens that are not as beautiful as the gardens in the palace courtyard.

Eighth Day: Torremolinos

We traveled around town and stayed at a gay hotel –

if you don’t belong to the gay community I don’t recommend staying there,

Although the hotel is very indulgent and has close parking.

It is worth staying overnight in Torremolinos the evening before

the flight because it is very close – about fifteen minutes – to the airport.

Torremolinos Hotel Ideas:

The hotel we stayed at (Adult) Hotel Ritual Torremolinos

Another recommended hotel – Essence Hotel Boutique by

Don Paquito

Have fun, Anat

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

India – Tammy and Yael’s trip

hilalevy — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 20:49:32 +0000

First trip to India - Tami and Yael's trip March 2019 Instructor: Morris Raz

First day of the trip (Wednesday) –

We flew to India with Air India,

Our plane left an hour late from Ben Gurion and landed an hour ahead

of time in Delhi, strange!

From the field in Delhi we went to Kutub Minar,

The minaret is an ancient stone structure that symbolizes the

victory of Muslims over the rulers of the region.

It was built by the Mamluk Kutab in the 12th century from the

remains of Hindu temples.

Kutub Minar is located in South Delhi. Open from sunrise to sunset.

Admission costs $ 5 per tourist and is free for children up to the age of 15.

In November, an annual music festival is held at the Kutub Minar complex.

If you are around this month you should check out the exact dates of

the festival.

From there we proceeded to Temple of Bahá’í Houses

of Worship,

The Baha’i prayer house in Delhi is built of white marble and is surrounded

by beautiful pools and gardens.

The building is located in the south of New Delhi, the capital of India.

It is a large and impressive temple, shaped like a lotus flower.

There we learned how much the number 9 is sacred and that believers

always strive for international unity and symmetry,

The ideal of symmetry, beauty, and order is important to them.

Admission to the lotus temple is free.

How to get there? A rickshaw from the Maine Bazaar, Rs 150,

a 20-30 minute drive.

Next stop is Lunch at the Connaught Place shopping center, near the

Maine Bazaar,

There we shared our first meeting of Indian food, bought and donated

to the Gypsy families.

Notice, these gypsies don’t let go, especially if they donate.

Towards the end of the day, we went on a visit to Paharganj,

also known as the Maine Buzzer “Hiking Ghetto”,

It is not the largest market in which the Chabad House is located.

Where is the Maine Bazaar? The Main Bazaar is located in New Delhi,

west of Delhi’s Western Railway Station.

We completed our first day of the trip at Vivanta By Taj Surya a very

impressive and beautiful hotel!

The second day of the trip (Thursday) –

Good morning, we left the hotel and went to Old Delhi (Old Delhi)

to Jama Masjid, It is the largest mosque in India, an example

of Muslim architecture in India.

The mosque was built by Shah Jan, of the Mughal Empire

(Muslims of Mongolian origin).

Shah Jaan also built the Taj Mahal which looks like the end of the trip!

We then did a rickshaw tour of Chandi Chuk, the market of ancient Delhi

And we got to see authentic and fascinating sights that were a bit of

a dime with us.

The next destination is Raj Ghat, the memorial and memorial site to

Mahatma Gandhi,

The place where Gandhi’s body was burned.

From there we moved on to the Burla family home, the place where Gandhi lived after the Declaration of Independence of India, where he was also murdered.

After visiting the memorial site and the museum, we headed for lunch

at the Connaught Place commercial center

Again we had to deal with the Gypsy harassment.

From there we proceeded to the Sikhi temple, of course,

we also took off our shoes and we covered our heads with a bandana

(as in all temples).

In the temple, we first toured the local chapel and spotted the holy

book to which the worshipers carry their prayers,

From the Temple, we moved into a dining room that feeds all

visitors on site for free,

We watched the kitchen and food preparation. The size of the pots is amazing!

Some of us helped make the local bread, all the jobs on the spot are

done by Sikh volunteers.

From there we drove to the temple of Hara Krishna, and attended the

puja ceremony,

It is a daily ritual in this temple, separate from the day of singing and dancing.

After a long drive, we returned to the hotel, not before we saw pictures

that could only be in India:

When our charming driver was stopped by another bus driver,

which almost caused us an accident,

The driver stopped the bus, ran to the vehicle in front of him and

without a second punched in the driver’s face,

Which put us in danger. A day full of experiences!

The third day of the trip (Friday) –

At 8:30 in the morning, we said goodbye to our hotel,

towards Jaipur which is in Bergistan.

Rajasthan The land of the Maharajah (kings),

India’s most colorful and second-largest country.

We visited the Monkey Temple in Bagletta J,

it is a beautiful temple nestled in a hidden channel.

A neglected temple that knew better days.

The highlight in this place is the amount of Asus-origin monkeys

found in the temple grounds.

They get their food from Jaipur authorities, which aims to keep

the monkeys away from the city center.

We shot and filmed with the monkeys even if some of us were

initially afraid to approach them.

After a short drive, we wandered around the city of Jaipur,

known as the pink city, with about 3.6 million inhabitants.

The town was painted in pink in 1876 in honor of the visit of

Prince Wales and Queen Victoria,

Pink is a symbol of hospitality.

We were staying at a well-off warrior family home.

Visit Jaipur city and visit the palace and the ghost palace.

We entered an impressive house, dressed the women in a sari

when some of the men were content with whiskey and rum.

From there we took a short drive to our Hotel Paradise Jaipur

where we will be staying for the next two days.

Good night India!

The fourth day of the trip (Saturday) –

This morning we headed for Amer Fort in Jaipur

And we climbed to the fort mounted on elephants.

This fortress was built on the remains of the ancient building,

by Raja Man Singh, in 1592.

And it was the capital until 1727,

Then Jai Singh II stated that there is no more threat than the Mughal rulers

And decided to establish a new town 9 km from Amber in the plain (Jaipur),

to which all the government officials moved.

From here we drove towards the Carpet Factory and stopped at the

Jal Mahal Floating Palace,

Which used to be a summer palace where the Maharajah did not live,

but only came to him for vacation.

Floating Palace Address:

Amer Rd, Jal Mahal, Amber, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India

No photography is allowed inside the palace.

In the carpet and textile factory we saw how the fabrics are dipped

(they can be silk, cotton and more)

With timber seals carved by precision dipping,

Then dip them in vinegar to create a chemical process that

preserves and improves color quality.

Then we saw all the carpet making stages when the first step is

the weaving process,

Which takes over more than 500 families that have joined together.

In the process work with 3 different materials:

Silk, camel wool and cashmere wool, produced from the soft part below

the goat’s cashmere neck.

Carpet quality is then performed by burning the carpet

And test that it is not flammable (synthetic material is flammable)

And cleaning the carpet that gets dirty during its production period by

washing it 3 times.

Then cut the rug 3 times.

From there we proceeded to the Maharaja Palace.

A palace that still belongs to the Maharaja family.

In the 1950s the palace began to function as a museum.

One of the reasons for the Maharaja’s palace to be lowered from

the Amber Fort is the development of his hobby –

Astronomy and the establishment of an astronomical observatory.

Maharaja Jai Singh II built 5 astronomical observatories in India from

1727 to 1734.

The golden flag set at the top of the palace is a lightning rod.

The main courtyard is also used for rich weddings today

(the cost of renting the place is about $ 60,000 for a wedding).

We ended our busy day watching an Indian (Bollywood) movie at

Raj mandir,

The largest movie theater in India with 1237 seats.

Real cinema of yesteryear …

This ended another day full of experiences!

Tomorrow we will head towards Pushkar.

The fifth day of the trip (Sunday) –

Today we travel to Pushkar, the city of God in Rama.

Pushkar is a holy picturesque market town, which lies on the banks of

Pushkar Lake.

In this lake you can see, throughout the day, Hindus believers perform

various baptisms and rituals.

Pushkar is full of temples (about 550 temples in one big city),

interesting markets and alleys.

Pushkar holds a camel and cattle fair once a year, every year.

At noon, we met with the local guide there for Lala,

Which led us to a beautiful view of the holy city of Pushkar.

A cable car led us to the Savitri Temple, which is on a high hill,

On the way there you see lots of squirrels and monkeys.

We learned why Brahma, who is the Creator God, has only one temple,

We heard about Sabatiri and Sarasuti Brahma’s first wife,

Which cursed all who would launch a temple to Brahma.

And we also heard about the parallel of Brahma and Sarasothi with

Abraham and Sarah (as opposed).

We watched the adorable langur monkeys in action and let them

eat bamboo that they loved so much …

From there we headed for an Israeli lunch at the Third Eye Restaurant.

Before the end of the day we arrived at the jaguar palace a lovely hotel with a special design and a very kind staff.

After settling in to the hotel, we went out on camels to the vantage point

Here we watched a gypsy dance performance, where we took a picture of

the sunset in the desert.

From there we returned to the hotel for a vegan dinner, as is the case

with all vegetarian Pushkar and we went to bed, good night!

Day 6 of the trip (Monday) –

This morning we could wake up relatively late,

Some of us started the day with a relaxing and fun yoga class

in the hotel lawns.

Later we left the hotel on foot for a tour of the Chabad House,

There we were welcomed by the local rabbi who welcomed us

wholeheartedly and on the way, he won the mitzvah when some of

the men prayed in the morning.

Pushkar is a holy town for Hindus, and they are commanding

pilgrimage to this place,

That’s why we saw a lot of Indian pilgrims in Pushkar.

Also, we had the privilege of attending a parade of the Lord

Vishnu, a procession that took place along the main street,

There was a magical atmosphere in the air, real happy music and

lots of flowers.

We attended the puja ceremony at Pushkar Lake,

The puja is basically a ritual of worshiping God and giving gifts to God.

At the end of the ceremony we threw flowers on the lake.

We didn’t say goodbye until we conquered more shopping destinations,

The Ruby Jewelry Store and the Himalayan Products Store.

7th Day Trip (Tuesday) –

Today we had a very early wake-up call, as we have a long drive ahead.

We will only reach our destination at 4 pm. Our destination for today:

the ghost town of Petipur Sikri.

It is a city built by a man named Akbar, who was the grandson of

Babur (founder of the Mughal Empire).

The city was built where a Muslim Sufi saint lived by Salim Chisti who

predicted Akbar, Who at that time was childless, that he would soon

become a father.

Akbar, who became a father, built a mosque and a mausoleum

for baskets after he passed away and that was the beginning of the

city of Petipur Sikri.

Akbar was known as a scholar and tolerant of other religions,

This is evident even in a pillar-shaped monument found in the city.

It has reference to all the prevailing religions in India at that time.

Akbar had 3 official women (Muslim, Christian, and Hindi)

and each had its palace.

The Muslim had a small room in all but had many mirrors and gems

Inlaid with walls combined with lamps and candles that together

created an impressive glow.

Christian had a palace in the shape of a cross, and Hindi had a

palace with a courtyard partly facing the lake,

There was also its summer palace, a palace that was open to the

winds that in contact with the lake water-cooled and were pleasant.

On the other side, she also had a winter palace which was closed and warm.

Also, much of the palace is also a Hindu temple as is common in

every Hindu house. How much glory!

Akbar, his entourage and his family used to watch and listen

to musical performances in the area on the beautiful stage,

Which was surrounded by water with lotus flowers floating on it.

Today, a wall-covered Sikri Petipur in the shape of the letter-C,

in the open (as the letter itself) used to be

A lake that has dried up is probably the main reason for

abandoning the city after only 14 years (due to water scarcity).

The buildings in the city have been wonderfully preserved ever since.

From there we proceeded to our luxurious Hotel Clarks Shiraz which

is in the city of Agra.

The eighth and final day of our trip (Wednesday) –

Today was his day we were waiting for the whole trip!

Today we will visit the cherry on the whipped cream, which is the Taj Mahal.

The impressive mausoleum that Shah Jaan built for his wife Mumtaz Mahal

The name means: Taj = crown, tent = palace.

The place has been declared a UNESCO International Heritage Site and

is also one of the seven new world wonders.

This is an example of architectural works. The color of the structure

changes during the day depending on the location of the sun.

At the entrance to the complex, there is a gate decorated with

Persian decorations made with chisel and contents with gems.

Above the gate, there are 11 domes on one side and 11 more domes

on the other.

Each dome represents one year out of the 22 years it took to

build the Taj Mahal.

More than 20,000 slaves were built there. Shah Jaan started building

the Taj a year after her death of Mutthas in 1631 and finished building in 1653.

To Shah Jan, it was very important to maintain the symmetry of the structures,

But the absurdity is that it was his own death that led to the

construction of another grave alongside his couple,

An asymmetrically constructed tomb thus compromised the

symmetry of the burial area complex.

To the west of the complex is a mosque built in the shape of the Taj,

The mosque is still active on Fridays so the Taj compound is closed

on Fridays.

To illustrate the importance of symmetry in the structure, we will

tell you only to maintain symmetry

Build an identical building to the mosque opposite it on the east side

(where it is not worshiped),

This building was later used as a royal guest house.

Another interesting fact:

The miniatures on the Taj’s side that look straight are actually tilted at

a 92.5-degree angle and not 90 degrees because the engineers

feared an earthquake that would cause it

To the collapse of the Minirats on the Taj.

From there we proceeded to Dubai Gh Dh Dhobi Ghat open laundry in Agra,

We saw the workers of India in the river washing operation and

did not understand how clothes come out clean with this method.

Our next target is the marble factory

There we saw how to make the marble set with gems,

Coming from different places, we saw how the stones are glued

with epoxy glue whose components and production are secret

And he is probably the reason why the Taj Mahal is so well

preserved and not even one stone has fallen from it.

From there we continued, after eating lunch, to Agra Fort.

Agra Fort, also known as Lale-Qila

Built built between 1565-1573 (for 8 years) by Akbar,

In order to protect the Mughal royal family.

At the entrance to the fortress is a moat that at the time was filled

with water infested with crocodiles,

Then there was a 20-foot-high wall and then another moat

With hungry tigers and then another wall with an army ready to attack

any intruder.

After entering, we reached the first courtyard also known as Diwan

(the audience reception area),

In this area, we realized that although the fortress area is over 190 acres,

Only 25% of it is open to visitors and the rest is used by the Indian army.

Alongside the Diwan, the courtyard of the people, there is a mosque

that is closed only to prevent spying in part of the fortress under the control

of the Indian Army.

In the courtyard of the people there is an extension where the

people would gather at the king’s trials, at this gathering the women would

sit next to the king.

The next part of the palace was the boycott, the king’s concubines,

The only men who could get in there were the neutered eunuchs.

Even the guards were castrated, for every ruler of the Mughal Empire,

there were around 300 women.

The next part of the palace was the most important part of the palace

And this is Shah Jan’s porch that was imprisoned there by his son Organzab,

Who also bothered to murder his three brothers on his way to rule the throne.

It is said that for the past eight years Shah Jaan has spent doing two things:

One is to look at the Taj Mahal from his porch and the other is to cry.

We passed from there near the residence palace, next to the water

storage channels in the cistern below the palace and of course in

the Akbar Hindu woman’s palace.

Yes, the one with the Summer Palace and the Winter Palace with a

Sikh papyri,

There we saw her bedroom, the dining room and of course her private temple.

From there we went out into the garden and saw a piece of red

sandstone carved as one piece into a bathroom with stairs.

Where is the fort? Near the Agra Fort railway station.

Opening Hours: Daily 6 am to 5:30 pm.

Price: 300 rupees (entrance ticket to the Taj includes the toll fort!).

From the fortress we continued to a skins shop, were not allowed to

take pictures inside,

Each of us bought a beautiful leather bag and leather boots.

From there we moved on to other stores and mainly completed

shopping for Himalayan products.

In the evening we had dinner at our lovely hotel.

And so we ended our beautiful trip to Magical India!

Many thanks to our Champion Guide: Morris Raz.

Tomorrow we will leave the airport after breakfast and fly

home tired and satisfied.

Thanks to Tammy and Yael for a magical trip full of color, history,

rich culture and new kind of beauty!

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Traveling alone – Interview with Nina Sodin

hilalevy — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 14:25:40 +0000

Nina Sodin, is part of a Facebook group management team called “Travelers Alone Sharing”

And I’m glad and excited to host her on my blog for an interview about

her world trips.

People who travel alone in the world are very intriguing to me

And I even take part in this Facebook group, even though I haven’t

traveled alone,

Except once, long ago, somewhere at 20.

So first and foremost – some facts about Nina:

She is 31 years old

She has traveled alone in more than 20 countries

(in Europe, South America, and the United States)

She is a comics blogger and lecturer on fears on a trip alone

She writes a travel book to help others travel in new ways

And as I said before – she runs a Facebook group called “Hiking Alone Sharing”.

Here is my interview with Nina:

Hi Nina,

Are you traveling alone in the world?

Yes – I traveled alone in the US, South America and about 20 countries in Europe.

I went for a walk with others too, but I did most of my hiking alone.

When was the first time you traveled alone? What age were you

At 22, I was flying alone to a US workshop.

While I knew some of the people who came to the workshop

over the Internet, I came from Israel completely alone,

We first met there and part of the time I walked around alone.

A year later I came to South America with a friend and after we split,

I traveled alone for a more significant time.

For the next trip, to Iceland, I already traveled alone.

Why did you decide to travel alone? What brought you to this decision?

I think I’ve never consciously decided to walk alone,

But I just wanted to travel and it didn’t occur to people

I know who would like to join.

In South America I came with a friend I knew in Israel for the trip,

But after a month it came out that we wanted to continue to

different destinations and decided to split.

In general, I’ve always been used to doing my own thing –

it’s important to do What I want without feeling dependent on others.

I think that’s why in the field of travel it happened quite naturally.

When I wanted to travel somewhere or in some way – I preferred to do

it rather than look for partners.

About a year and a half ago, I joined the Facebook group

“Travelers Alone Sharing” and later I started managing it.

In this community, I realized how inconvenient a trip alone is,

and on the other hand –

Some of this experience is empowering and meaningful for many people.

How long before the trip do you organize it? How much do you

study and research the destination before deciding to fly there?

It depends a lot on the trip.

On the one hand, I love to fantasize and read about destinations long

before I know when I’ll ever reach them.

On the other hand – I tend to change plans at the last minute,

so I like to travel in a way that allows me flexibility –

Indefinitely and without too many pre-orders.

Is there a fear / fear before a trip alone? So what are you most worried about?

Usually the lone itself doesn’t worry me, but I sometimes worry about logistics,

Especially when there is some limitation – will I be able to arrive on time,

Have I taken enough stuff (and on the other – not too much),

will I find WiFi (WiFi), where to sleep …

How do you handle your trips?

I love to hitchhike – this is how I get to know new people, see the landscapes

on the way,

Reaches interesting places and can cross countries without any financial

limit (I traveled 20,000 km in Europe like that).

When I’m in cities, I prefer walking or cycling (for example in the Netherlands – it’s very convenient).

I am also very happy to sail when possible.

I also use other means of transport – mainly buses, trains and flights

(mainly to get out of the country and return).

In the past I also traveled alone in a rented vehicle – and it mainly made

me want to hitchhike …

Where do you usually choose to sleep (hotel/apartment/sofa wrapping, etc.)?

I really like to stay with locals for volunteering or keeping animals, or by sofas.

I also got to sleep with lovely people I met on the street or hitchhike and

invited me to.

Sometimes I also sleep in hostels and AIRBNB – or alternatively outside

in my tent.

Who do you think is suitable for traveling alone? Can anyone?

I think the important question is who will enjoy a trip alone, and it’s

hard to know until they try …

In large, I think people who like to travel alone are the ones who like to

spend time with themselves

Or meet new friends who change frequently,

And also those who like to plan the trip in their specific way without

being dependent on others.

I’ve noticed that many people think they can’t walk alone

Because they don’t have enough experience, knowledge, courage or

sense of direction, but most of these things are solvable and change

over time, especially if you start at a relatively easy destination and

research it in advance.

At our “Travelers Alone Sharing” group, there are loads

of people who were afraid of the first time alone –

And in the end, I enjoyed it very much and even experienced

empowerment following the trip.

Is there any destination you would recommend to “beginners”?

In my opinion, many European cities can be a great first destination – you can also find a relatively cheap flight easily.

I would strongly recommend that anyone choose a city that attracts and intrigues it,

But I personally really like Budapest and Krakow,

And Amsterdam is very pleasant and comfortable in my opinion.

How long is your longest trip?

I traveled to Europe for a year and two months, in 22 countries.

For me, it wasn’t exactly a trip but a wanderlust – I didn’t know in advance

how long it would last and I didn’t necessarily visit the usual

attractions everywhere,

But I just enjoyed my stay there and getting to know the people.

Do you sometimes feel lonely on a trip? So what do you do when that happens?

I felt lonely when I was in San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile.

I came there alone because I fantasized about the desert landscapes –

and really saw the beautiful landscapes I saw in my life,

But I didn’t really connect with the other travelers (except for me there

were mostly couples).

Although I felt lonely, I embarked on organized activities that I really enjoyed,

For example – nocturnal star observation and sands surfing.

I think it helped me to continue my life, as usual, knowing that if I

didn’t make friends here –

This will probably happen at the next destination (and it really happened),

and enjoy what the place has to offer instead of sinking into loneliness.

Besides sharing in the Facebook group, do you write/record your trips in any way for travelers interested in the field?

I’m working on a book that is both the story of my journey in Europe and

an alternative travel guide,

To help others travel in different ways such as hitchhiking,

volunteering and keeping animals.

The book can be purchased in advance at a discounted price and so

help me get it published In addition, I post comics, stories,

and information for travelers

on my Facebook page – Landmarks.

Do you have any more questions for Nina?

You are welcome to write her comments here, support her book

publishing and receive it in return,

Check out Lake on her Facebook page and enjoy her adorable tips

and drawings!

Thanks a lot, Nina!

Good luck with publishing your book and your next trips!

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Odessa Ukraine

hilalevy — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 10:15:00 +0000

Shoham (my daughter) and Nahurai's trip

September 2019

Odessa is a Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea coast.

In Odessa, you will find inexpensive hotels, good and cheap restaurants, kosher food,

Excursions to the artist’s tomb of Rabbi Nachman, Amusement Park, Spa, Shopping, Beaches, Stormy Nightlife and more

When to Travel in Odessa?

Odessa is recommended in the summer months – from late June to early September.

We arrived at the end of September and it was already the end of the season, some of the entertainment venues were closed and it was getting cooler.

Flight – with Ukrainian Airlines, costing $ 225 including 2 trolleys and one large suitcase.

Sim card – Buyers at the airport, about $ 10 a ticket. Do not buy from anyone who does not help you install the card!

Hotels – To reduce your stay and indulge in good hotels we divided the accommodation into 2 hotels,

All the detailed below.

Our trip:

The first day of our trip – we landed very early in the morning in Odessa, purchased a SIM card, and took a taxi to our first hotel.

Tip: Do not leave the field before installing the Uber Uber app. Only Uber is recommended to order a driver,

That way, you pay half the price for each trip!

For the first 2 nights, we stayed at the Frapoli 21 Hotel.

Note there is another hotel with a similar name, so don’t get confused

Hotel address: Troitskaia 34, Odessa, 65014, Ukraine

Link to booking a room at this excellent hotel here

To get the room so early in the morning (and breakfast) we added a night,

That is, we booked the hotel for the night we left the country, so the room was waiting for us when we arrived.

After settling in and relaxing at the hotel, we had breakfast and drove to the market 7 km

Opinions about the market are divisive, some recommendations and some who say it is unnecessary, we liked the market!

We found a lot of reality in it (mostly imitation of men’s brands), and we even went back to it later!

Seventh-mile Market:

This is a huge market in the size of everything. Thousands of containers of fine slices that create alleys.

Each alley has its products. Toys, clothes, shoes and everything else.

High-quality imitations of luxury brands sell cheap.

Please note: There are no prices for the products, you have to ask the seller and you can bargain if you want.

You can spend even two days shopping in this market.

The main alley of the market has many money changers with a good currency exchange rate.

The market is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From there we traveled to the pedestrian street / Arcadia Promenade, where Ibiza Beach and Itka Beach are located, and Mantra Club.

Arcadia

A neighborhood located about half an hour from the city center, the neighborhood is known as the “Ibiza of Ukraine”.

During the day, the Arcadia area is full of families visiting the beach, but at night,

Especially during the summer, the place becomes the center of the city,

With clubs, bars and people dancing all night.

If you arrive out of season, the clubs, which are on the beach, will probably be closed.

Address: Arcadia, Odessa

The second day of our trip –

Today we strolled on Deribasovskaya Street –

The main street in Odessa called Drivasovskaya is an attraction in itself,

The street is full of street shows, musicians, shops and restaurants, flower sellers, horse/pony rides.

There are also open buses touring various places in the city.

There is also a candy store there that puts a lollipop workshop for the kids in the form the child chooses.

The lovely workshop, fun for kids ..

Pleasant to stroll and sit down to eat or just have a beer on this street, there is a great atmosphere there.

The stores on Dribesibska Street are very diverse, you can find luxury brands stores like Tommy Hilfiger,

Armenian and Gucci, and also cheap clothing stores, the likes of which you will only see in Europe.

In the early afternoon, we were at the Arc Spa, which is in the Arcadia district.

The spa has treatment rooms that offer more than 100 types of massages, saunas in 10 different styles,

Japanese Jacuzzi, Indoor Semi-Olympic Pool, Cave Shaped Rest Room,

Salt bath and many other luxurious facilities at great prices. site.

Monday night and last at our Hotel Parpoli 21. Tomorrow they move to a new hotel.

The third day of the trip –

Like we said before, we went back to the 7km market to do shopping, fun!

After a few hours at the market, we had lunch

And we drove to our second hotel, the perfect Nemo Hotel! Resort & Spa Hotel – NEMO

Address: Plyazh Lanzheron 25, Odessa, 65012, Ukraine

The hotel has a 3-day dolphin pool (discounted hotel guests),

Dolphin swimming (about $ 100 for 10 minutes swimming for hotel guests, option to purchase photos that a professional photographer is taking with you).

The hotel has a crazy gym, stunning pools with stunning views, a beach, free massage armchairs, great restaurants and more

Near the hotel, there is a wonderful beachfront promenade, with nice restaurants and places to sit and spend a few hours having fun.

We chose to spend our fourth day on a trip to the Nemo Hotel

We saw a cool dolphin show and enjoyed the spa and pools in the hotel

On the last day we spent mostly at the hotel

This is what awaits us in our room, look what sweetness:

Shoham swam today with a very experiential swim with dolphins,

We had a nice day at the pool and at sea

And in the evening we traveled with a driver booked via Uber to the airport (5 EUR via Uber).

Kosher Restaurants in Odessa:

* Ravarkadia in the middle of Arcadia Avenue Israeli food

15% discount to the Odessa Facebook group for Israelis and travelers.

Address: Arkadiyska Alley, 1, Odesa, Odessa Oblast

recommended!

* Midence (close to our first hotel)

* Brooklyn Pizza

* Rosemary Restaurant

Clubs in Odessa:

The most famous clubs in the borough, and throughout the city, are Ibiza Beach Club and Itaka Beach Club.

The Ibiza Club is one of the most prestigious and prestigious clubs in Ukraine.

The club is located on the shores of the Black Sea and is open at all hours of the day.

In the morning – the complex offers sunbeds and umbrellas, a restaurant and a bar.

At night – the world’s best DJs record for the blinders in two separate dance floors.

Ibiza has the wildest parties in Odessa and, from time to time, performances by internationally renowned artists.

Warning: There are many stories about serious selection at the entrance and sting attempts at clubs in Odessa.

Do not agree that girls from the club (waitresses) sit at your table,

And of course, you won’t order a drink or anything else, otherwise, you will get into a very inflated account.

If girls sit down next to you tell them to leave or you leave the place yourself.

Ithaca Club –

The Ithaca club has a different style than Ibiza. This is a big club that looks like a huge amphitheater,

The club attracts crowds of locals and tourists alike. It’s in a resort, right on the beach,

And offers upstairs house music and techno, and downstairs right by the pool – pop music.

Park Residence Club, a slightly different atmosphere than most clubs,

The club is decorated in a modern style and attracts all the beautiful and right in town.

The Captain Morgan Club, located downtown, is the place for celebs.

The club is an attraction for celebrities, both locals and around the world.

Palladium Club – serves as a daytime dining and nightclub dance club

More places to see and spend:

If you come to Odessa in the summer and the hot weather you can spend in a Hawaiian water park.

It is slightly closer than the second water park, which is 25 minutes out of town.

* Hawaii Water Park is suitable for both adults and children and is located in the Arcadia district.

* Primosky Boulevard – a central area adjacent to the harbor, town hall, Odessa Star Avenue,

To the Patiomkin Stairs, Vorontsov Palace and Central Station.

* Potemkin 192 Stairs – Potomkin Stairs is a 142-foot staircase.

This long staircase was built in the 19th century to allow direct access from the city to the port and is now a landmark and symbol of the city of Odessa.

The length of the staircase is mainly an optical illusion: from the bottom, the stairs seem to go on and never end.

There is no fear of getting tired of the stairs, as these are only 192 stairs in 10 equal sections.

Anyone who needs or wants a tram, however, raises and lowers the cost of 3 hryvnia in each direction.

The stairs are the main entrance to the city from the direction of the harbor.

The place is really nice and even provides a nice view of the harbor and the sea. At night the area is lit.

In the middle of the Piomatkin stairs there is a large park entrance, if you go up the stairs then turn left and you will see the park

As you descend from the stairs, continue the stroll on the marina’s enchanting promenade,

It also offers countless restaurants, cafes and local shops.

A place that fits beautiful pictures, especially for Instagram enthusiasts.

Stair address: Potemkin Stairs, Odessa

* Shevchenko Park – simply a lovely place to stroll.

* Sign I LOVE ODESSA near the main train station.

* Odessa Amusement Park – Address: Uspenska Street, 1, Odesa, Odes’ka oblast

web site

* Odessa Port: Odessa, the largest port in Ukraine, one of the most important on the Black Sea.

Enjoy walking in the harbor and see with your own eyes the centrality of the city: pay attention to the hustle and bustle of ships,

The many sailors and pedestrians, and plan to reach the end of the pier. This location offers a lovely view of the sea,

A spectacle whose beauty is more than doubled at sunrise or sunset. Address: Port of Odessa, Odessa

* Nemo Dolphinarium – the main attraction in the area other than the beach itself.

Address: Lanzheron, Odessa

* White Tone Beauty Salon – offers cosmetic treatments, a variety of massages,

Haircuts for men / women / children, manicure / pedicure

Address: Odessa Street: 85 Malaya Arnautskaya

* The Londonskaya SPA Hotel – a 4-star hotel located just 6 minutes’ walk from the beach,

10 minutes from Main Drivsovskie Street and a minute to the Patiomkin steps, and only 300 meters from the Opera and Ballet.

Beaches in Odessa

Odessa is a seaside town, which means it has quite a few beaches and everyone is very busy during the summer months.

Apart from the beaches, we have already mentioned, the closest beach to the heart of the city is Lanzheron Beach,

It is a very popular beach due to its proximity and access to the city.

You can, of course, rent a beach umbrella and beach chairs instead.

While spending time there, you can hop on one of the many restaurants and bars located right next to the beach.

Shopping in Odessa:

Riviera Shopping City Mall – A large, modern mall that is about a half-hour drive from downtown, this is a relatively new mall, it has a great super,

Brand stores on the first floor (mango, Zara and the like), local designer shops, several restaurants, and cafes and a children’s playground.

Address: Pivdenna Rd, 101а.

Afina Gallery – a luxury shopping center located near Drivasovskie Street, instead of dozens of fashion stores,

A number of international brands, shoe stores, books, home appliances, electrical appliances, and good restaurants.

Address: Grecheskaya Sq. 3/4.

Europa – A modern downtown shopping center that offers a pleasant atmosphere, a variety of fashion shops, books, cosmetics and more.

The place has several restaurants and cafes, a great place to spend a few hours.

Address: Derybasivska Street, 21.

Privoz – The Frevose Market allows shopping enthusiasts to enjoy perfect entertainment and buy plenty of products at affordable prices.

Freibose is a colorful and vibrant market, located near the main train station, with many food stalls and food products,

And lots of booths and shops where you can buy clothes, cosmetics, accessories, souvenirs, and decorative items. (Near Freebuz there is a zoo).

Address: Privoznaya St., 14

Big shopping Malls: Riveira City, City Center

Did you want to go to Odessa? We would love to hear about it here in the comments below,

Thanks!

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%

Tiblisi Georgia – Yochai Peretz’s trip

hilalevy — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 16:48:35 +0000

In October 2017 Our friend Yochai goes on a trip to Georgia and details for us

(almost) everything he did there.

The last time I shared a trip of Yochai on my blog, it was his stunning trip to

Zanzibar.

This time too, I invite you to enjoy the experience of Yochai, a slightly different

experience – Georgia!

So sit back, read and enjoy Yochai’s trip, here it is:Day 1 – Georgia, Tbilisi

Tired of the flight and swollen from about three hours’ sleep, we headed

towards Tbilisi Old and modern city.

But wait, first, some background:

Georgia has existed for over 3000 years and has gone through periods of

conquests and wars.

The country was named in 1991 as soon as the Soviet Union collapsed.

Georgia is made up of 12 counties, with Tbilisi being the main province and

capital of Georgia.

The coin is called Larry and is worth about 1.5-1.7 NIS.

The territory of Georgia is about 70,000 km. The country has

officially 5 million inhabitants, About 2 million live in Tbilisi.

Another million are students, tourists, etc

Why official? Because when the state was founded, the government started

registering residents.

Naturally, with the registration also come the duties towards the government

and the state, and so (so far) not everyone is in a hurry to sign up.

In the early years, there was a lot of corruption until a coup followed by

a public uprising.

The newly formed government decides to design all government and public

buildings with glass and metal,

Thinking that glass emphasizes transparency towards citizens.

Our trip begins with a visit to the Makquari River, the river that crosses Tbilisi

and flows across Georgia from Turkey, Azerbaijan to the Caspian Sea.

Mother Georgia

According to the Georgians’ belief, the Georgian goddess protects

and protects Tbilisi.

On one of the high mountains in the city and the altitude that rises above 20

meters, the goddess stands and watches

On Tbilisi against enemies and corrupt.

In one hand, Goddess serves a glass of wine for peace and in the other holds a

large sword to say – When needed I will know how to protect too!

The Jewish population of Georgia at its peak is estimated at 120,000 people.

A very closed Jewish community that has kept the traditions and customs

very carefully.

Among the Jews, there was no intermarriage with other members

of the community.

With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jews did not

rush to Israel, Only after the successful end of the Six-Day War and with the

rise of Communism clearly,

About 70,000 families immigrate to Israel. The families who immigrated

lived in their own communities and did not interfere in Israeli society.

In 1991, as soon as the Soviet Union collapsed, another 30,000

Jewish families from Georgia applied to immigrate to Israel,

And when they arrive they encounter the first generation of immigrants

and realize that they have kept the community

and the traditional character and resent it.

As a result, the process of incorporating and integrating Georgians into

Israeli society begins.

Today, about 3000 Jews are living in Tbilisi. A diminishing community.

There are 6 synagogues in each of Georgia. The synagogue in

Tbilisi is the largest.

He holds a quorum every day and on the holidays another floor opens

above him.

In one of my pictures of my visit to the Great Synagogue, I was

photographed with the man of the synagogue

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get his name.

One of the exciting moments of the day was when I picked up an ancient

Torah scroll.

Georgians represent a completely separate stream from Christianity.

In general, throughout Georgia, the citizens are busy themselves, but they

are kind, charming and welcoming!

At the Golden Mall, which we visited later, I met two lovely women

(but without single girls 😔) who worked hard and wanted to help us.

Innocent Georgians still exist. There is a floor price from which sellers

do not drop.

If the price is not right for you, you can move to the next booth.

If you come back and want to buy at the price the seller offered you – the

opportunity has expired.

The Golden Mall is adjacent to the Dynamo market, the market is reminiscent

of the Ramla-Lod market in Israel.

Imitations upon imitations of all the brands considered, abundant fruits, red

apples from the legend of Snow White, and an elderly mother who has just

made a hot pattern of delicious and steaming cheese pastry.

Just before entering the gold market stood the statue of Georgian author Akii

Tsuritli holding a large villain.

The gold is very cheap. Gold teeth signify status according to the

quantity and quality of the carat.

In the first ascent many Jews sold their movable goods and purchased

gold for coating their teeth.

With that, they lived and existed.

Facing the communist-era reminder market in the form of long

Stalin-era railway buildings –

Every family lives in a room with a ration pad and basic medical

insurance during these years,

Until the fall of the Soviet Union and independence.

After finishing the tour we descended a few dozen steps and a

particularly steep descent to where we had lunch.

The main avenue we reached is surrounded by graceful cafes, restaurants

and various shops.

Here are pictures from this part of the trip (shopping and desserts):

Entree Cafe invites you to sign in.

A lovely and warm place with confectionery and sandwich bar packed with crazy foods.

High-quality and deliciously delicious cakes and cookies.

A good cake and cappuccino will take you out on 10 Larry (about NIS 15)

and leave the taste buds in overtime.

Everything just tastes good and stimulates the eyes. A sensory

experience recommended for baking enthusiasts like myself.

Even the confectioners in the kitchen agreed that they had a short video of them making crackers of butter and crackling butter.

In the evening we ate at Dinehall Restaurant great food and a vely place.

The restaurant is located in an ancient wine cellar. Everything is delicious!

Day 2. Visiting the health system

We started the day by getting to know the health system in Georgia in general and Tiblisi in particular.

In general, the health system is public.

The private health system is designed for the Upper Alphabet and the rich – businessmen and government workers, which is something that always goes together here –

You are not a businessman if you are not in government, and you are not in government if you have no business 😁

The direction in which the health care system aims to go is “private” both in terms of services and in scope.

A Georgian citizen has a public hospital to take care of, but not prolonged treatment.

Anyone undergoing surgery is discharged after a day to his home with an ambulance and instructions to continue home care.

There is no stipulation to pay for sorting treatment, but first, you must try to enter through the iron door ….

The clinics we visited are an ophthalmology center.

An amazing beauty clinic with a team of doctors and nurses, and of course, managerial staff.

In terms of Georgians, a clinic equates to a hospital.

3 floors of the clinic with state-of-the-art operating room, queue management system, and no Camillion or Clicks …

The ambition of clinic director Dr. Jarvishvili is to open more branches throughout Georgia.

The second clinic is a 4-story building for endocrinological care and adjacent to it is a transplant care facility.

Here is a movie from an operating room, which we watched over the gallery:

From there we climbed to the top of a mountain on which stands one of the oldest churches in Georgia –

Holly Cross Monstary Guarry

The church was built by the tree under which Jewish Sidonia was buried,

That helped our holy Nino spread Christianity throughout Georgia in the 5th century.

According to the story when King Wachtang first in the 11th century sought to build the church on the top of the mountain, the trees had to be cut down.

As they did so, the stump of the tree under which Sidonia was buried, but all evening the tree and stump united.

Finally, the church was built and the tree left in place. The resin that was taken from him healed the people, according to the legend, and following the miracle.

The church is very active and maintained by monks from the nearby monastery.

There are two prayers on Saturdays and on Sunday the main prayer.

The great church hall where the altar was built on the roots of Sidonia.

The big pot is supposed to be full of the Holy Cracker, except that almost a diplomatic incident was caused because of my curiosity 😂 😂 😂

You might think what could be done with such a large lid and deep pot that might fit to a meat stew

From this church, we proceeded towards the riverside crossing of Georgia – the Makwari and the Argabi.

The confluence of the rivers is strategic to Georgia from the Middle Ages to the present.

In fact, the boundaries of Georgia as we know it today were signed in the 5th century.

Still 3000 years of wars and conquests ….

* This is the statue of Georgia king, Wahtang Kurgasli, who founded the capital city of Tibilisi

The statue stands high on the banks of the Kwari river we visited today.

From there we continued to visit the ancient handkerchief. Another church for the repertoire,

A meeting with adorable peddlers, 2 brides I debated between, a wedding, and appetizing markets.

Most importantly, the Georgian bread is hot and boiled straight from the stone oven, margaroli, substitute (celeriac), churchella, and saturated holy water.

Great Mall … 3 floors of all major international and local brands. Reasonable prices.

Not cheap on significant networks from the country, but at Carrefour’s author you will find all the toiletries, grooming and paint at floor prices.

A cafe from Moka & More is simply excellent and insanely delicious.

The Georgians know how to make cakes and desserts !!!!

The dynamo market is always fun to come back to. Microcosmos is full of alleys and turns, especially warm and charming people.

We returned by taxi to the hotel and then realized that there were no friends like Eitan and Eluz at bargaining, or as Liz had called her: “naughty.”

Pictures from today:

Day 3 – Jeep tour, mountains and mineral water

We left Tbilisi in the direction of the mountains in Casablanca (Cacheti region) and arrived after a jeep ride to the mountain over 2100 meters high.

The weather is wonderful. Extremely tolerable cold winds, a breath of the cleanest air there, and watching nature in full glory and power.

On the way to the mountains, we stopped in front of one of the natural wonders of tasting mineral water directly from the mountain rock.

Cool, saturated and healthy water. Just flow like that, just come and take. Who needs “Neviot”, “Tammy 4” and all the other gags …

The ancient church on the top of the mountain is impressive in size.

We lit candles in honor of the righteous, dipped in the holy water, and took pictures of every possible stone.

The whole mountainous area and the small towns share a common farm.

It means that every family has its inheritance, but everything belongs to everyone

And so do each other with milk, eggs, vegetables, etc.

All (almost) independent growers and what is left give to others, and receive from others what is missing.

Georgia has almost no cats. Dogs have plenty, cats – no …

This means everything is very clean and no waste is thrown outside. Everything is fully utilized!

We stopped for lunch at a delicious restaurant, but with an incredibly slow service. That’s how it is when there’s really no rush …

And it was cold upstairs so we stocked up on real leather hats and fur for heating as needed.

The pictures of the stunning scenery with no filters or design.

Like God created them and placed in nature they are photographed in note 8

Day 4 – Visit to the Stalin Museum in Guri

Guri’s interpretation of Georgian is a hill, and from the hill on which the great fortress once stood in the area was established.

And there in Guri stands the Stalin Museum ..

In 1878, Joseph Gogshwili was born in the city of Guri into a very religious family.

Recall that during this period there are almost 100 years of Russian occupation.

The child grows into the reality of a new ideological spirit blowing through the streets by a leader named Lenin.

He is passionate about the revolutionary ideas and connects with the party leaders.

He was arrested several times and taken into custody with other inmates, realizing that there are other opponents to the regime and the injustice of concern for workers, welfare and health

In one of the arrests, the government hits his right hand and shortens it as a result of a fracture.

In 1924 Lenin died of a brain event and Stalin continues his path. Lenin leaves a letter in the drawer requesting that it be opened only upon his death.

The letter “disappeared” and did not open …

Stalin takes his place and begins the purge of opponents from within the party, including procedures to abolish religious symbols – which he called “opium for the masses.”

He married and had a first-born son named Jacob.

Later, the son falls into Nazi captivity. The Nazi regime understands the loot and contacts Stalin: “Your son for Russia’s failure to attack Germany.”

Stalin cut off the call and sentenced his son to death, claiming “no soldier will simply replace an officer.”

His wife died and he remarried. You had a daughter named Svetlana.

The house that grew up in a strong and powerful home with another brother, rebels, and does not connect with the extreme ideology.

She veered to the United States in the 1960s and cut off all contact with her father, and even changed her name to Lena Peters.

The embarrassment is great – the daughter betrays the father and goes to the pig Capitalist. She passed away in 2011. A deep relationship she had with a neighbor results in the publication of a book that describes the relationship between her and her father.

The extra brother died in a brawl with other boys following the delinquent lifestyle he was living.

Stalin decides to adopt an orphan soldier and also calls on the other senior officers to do so,

To prevent unnecessary state allowance payments to the families of the fallen and also to be used

An example of being concerned about orphans in society. Always the spirit of his mind was distorted in perception.

He is appointed in the mid-20s to edit the Pravda

That will be the mouthpiece of the rule and tell the “truth” to the residents. Mostly Stalin’s truth and communism

During World War II Hitler and Stalin sign a non-attack agreement,

And in fact, the agreement allows Hitler to expand in Europe. At the end of the war, Hitler dismisses

The agreement and attacks on Russia. Stalin is initially surprised and recruits 300,000 Georgian soldiers to protect and delay Hitler’s progress.

These soldiers know everything but fight.

Although there are hundreds of thousands of deaths on both sides in the front, but bottom line, Stalin was the only leader in the world who succeeded in arresting Hitler.

At one point Stalin realizes the power he has gained from the various countries that make up the Soviet Union,

And it begins with the purification of entire populations that may resist it.

For a visit to Russia, he arrives in a train car.

Where they were called to visit, he asked to set up a railroad. Thanks to this, there is a well-developed rail network between Asia and Russia and Europe.

Stalin died in 1953 at the age of 74 due to a series of brain events.

This morning’s guard team does not disturb the leader until he leaves his room.

Because he did not go out, the soldiers hesitated to interrupt and waited until the exchange changed. The next shift does not call for a leader, until in the evening a senior officer arrives to demand the leader’s peace.

They enter the room and find Stalin without a breath of life.

What to do? Call the doctor? No! Lift the body to the couch and then call the doctor to see what happened and transfer the leader to the hospital for treatment

There he died 3 days later (he was already dead before) …..

Stalin was buried in great glory in the center of the Kremlin Square.

Millions of citizens and representatives of the world come by for two weeks to pass through his coffin, to pay tribute, and especially to make sure he is dead …

When Stalin’s room is arranged, Lenin’s letter is found.

The letter reads that Lenin forbade Stalin to replace him, because he is dangerous and deadly and rude, and also harsh criticism with Lenin and Trotsky of the party’s then-senior.

Stalin’s body is found and buried in the Kremlin walls.

His mother was the only woman in the world for him. It has softness and emotion only to it.

The only one for whom he did it all: one party, ideology, and one Soviet Union. In a series of letters

Between them is described the emotion and warm connection between them. His first wife died of typhoid and the second was shot in the head.

Photos from the museum:

* The glorious trailer for those days of Stalin, with it came where it was needed and where there was only a railroad ….

Visiting an amazing time capsule

The trailer inside:

Day 5 –

Today we leave the Marco Polo Hotel and the wild scenery, returning to the capital of Tivoli.

We got stuck in an endless cork of small sheep I wouldn’t mind making a hat, bag, coat and kebab

We ended up at the Ginwali reservoir.

And here’s a Georgia-style dream story …..

Somewhere during the communist rule, Georgia decides to establish an artificial resort with artificial beach around the mountains

And the amazing scenery in the area.

Establish a huge (artificial) lake that reaches more than 320 meters (our Sea of Galilee at a depth of about 22 meters).

The rainwater, tributary channels and snow fill the lake.

Everyone points out the impressive achievement, but remember that they forgot to set up a beach strip to be used for resorts and touring and trading area ….

Finally to take advantage of the huge lake, which provides 40% of Tbilisi water consumption,

The Ginwali Dam was established in 1968.

And, to the best of “Georgian stupidity”, he only starts working a decade later.

The area where the reservoir was established was rich in Roman villages that sat on a basin of ancient treasures,

And so as not to hurt the villages, they move them to a nearby location, but the treasures drown in the reservoir water.

On the days when the water falls, sometimes the roofs of the houses can still be seen.

Only 20% of the treasures were transferred to the museum. The rest are buried underwater …. makes sense!

The water is filtered through three stations before moving on to consumption, but because the system is not closed it makes no sense …

Separate planning and deeds.

The dam produces approximately 200 megawatts of electricity at a facility that is considered strategic and sensitive.

The facility employs 300 people, and in fact employs 60. Each employee goes out to work once every three days and receive a full salary.

Strut up!

The main concern of the government is that the dam will not flood the surrounding villages, instead exploiting the full capacity of electricity production.

If anyone has an optimization proposal, you are welcome to fly to Georgia and help.

End of Journey – Return to Earth –

The world’s largest mezuzah is located at the airport at Ben Gurion Airport.

Thank you to the Creator of the world who led us to peace and restored peace.

Georgia A paradise of innocence that will probably disappear in the coming decade.

New vs. Old. Antique vs. modern. Tradition versus technology.

An older generation in front of the new young. From a rigid establishment to governmental transparency (and corruption that still exists).

Some contrasts and yet how much love and warmth there is in the residents.

Endless indifference. There is no why and no hurry. But with lots of goodwill.

There is nothing to bargain about in the markets. There is a floor price from which the vendor is unwilling to go down. Didn’t you buy? Someone else will come..

Sharing and mutual partnership. Delicious and varied culinary cuisine.

Thank you Georgia for perfect hospitality, breathtaking views and a new love for a special and rare country.

To search and book a hotel in the Tivilisi area, go here

The post %% POSTLINK %% appeared first on %% BLOGLINK %%