I don’t consider myself a daredevil but along my travels, I’ve had the opportunity to try different things that have made me a little weak in the knees. There was the 5.7-kilometre cable car ride up to see the Big Buddha in Hong Kong. There was the AJ Hackett Skywalk, 233 metres high, along the […] Read more…
middle east
two days in athens
As I mentioned in my last blog post, the view from my room at the Athenaeum was of the Parthenon. Yes, the Parthenon. I can’t quite describe the feeling. The Parthenon is a fixture from textbooks, not something I’d ever really expect to see while lying in bed. But there you have it. If you […] Read more…
ahava: delights from the dead sea
I was just recently in Israel (I wrote about it if you missed it; check it out here) and unfortunately, I was so sick the day we visited the Dead Sea, that I missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Swimming, or floating, rather, in the Dead Sea was one of the exciting things […] Read more…
things to do in tel aviv
Tel Aviv is a city just like so many world-class cities across the globe, something I’d not really realized or even expected, truth be told. The city is in its infancy, particularly compared to neighbouring cities like Jerusalem; Tel Aviv celebrates its centennial in 2009 and the city is alive with a festive flair, with […] Read more…
ilana goor museum
How incredible is this kitchen? It’s in the Ilana Goor Museum in Old Jaffa, just outside Tel Aviv. The museum features an extensive collection of Ilana’s own works, (unique sculptures, furniture and other art pieces) and her personal collection of art from around the world. The pieces are a bit eccentric – not quite my […] Read more…
tel aviv: streetside delights
What a great day! Walking the streets of Tel Aviv, there are visual delights at every turn. The city is in bloom and everywhere you’ll find a kaleidoscope of colour, flowers in shades that seem brighter and more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen. Bougainvillea can be found creeping along walls and fences all over […] Read more…
church of the nativity
Yesterday I crouched down to about half my height to enter through the Door of Humility at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and I have never been more humbled in my life. The door was created this way to force everyone who entered to bow down in humility and reverence. This church marks […] Read more…
david citadel hotel jerusalem
I spent the entire day sick in bed. Ugh! Not how I imagined spending my time in Jerusalem. But I suppose these things happen. In fact, I’m surprised they don’t happen more often. Traveling has got to be one of the easiest ways to pick up a bug or virus. So, I missed a day […] Read more…
a walking tour of jerusalem
Upon landing in Tel Aviv, which I wrote about yesterday, I met with my guide Amir and we made our way to Jerusalem. It was a 35-minute drive. After a quick breakfast (hot chocolate and yes, another bagel), we commenced a walking tour of Jerusalem. Before I share with you the highlights, I must tell […] Read more…