israel experts?

motion · 04-14-2015, 07:37 AM

So, I'm in Tel Aviv now. Renting a car tomorrow and will drive north to the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth. The following day I'll drive to Jerusalem and then will attempt to drive into Palestine and Jericho. Not sure if I'll be able to pull it off in a rental car. I'm gonna just play dumb and hope for the best.

From Jerusalem, I'm taking a bus to Bethlehem to walk around a bit there and take photos. I'll also drive to the Dead Sea and check that out.

I'd love to drive into the Gaza Strip, but I'm thinking that might be a bit ballsy.

Anyone have experience here and can tell me if I'm missing anything in Israel? I'll likely never be here again, and I have a full 4 more days here, so I want to make sure I don't miss out!

I tried to take a photo of the US Embassy here, but I had my camera raised like 1" from my hip and I had security guys yelling at me. They are quick.

Seahawk · 04-14-2015, 08:10 AM

I have spent a lot of time in Israel. The Navy bought one of their UAVs and I had to manage it.

Try Masada. A bit touristy but the story is very compelling.

Masada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

So, I'm in Tel Aviv now. Renting a car tomorrow and will drive north to the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth. The following day I'll drive to Jerusalem and then will attempt to drive into Palestine and Jericho. Not sure if I'll be able to pull it off in a rental car. I'm gonna just play dumb and hope for the best.

From Jerusalem, I'm taking a bus to Bethlehem to walk around a bit there and take photos. I'll also drive to the Dead Sea and check that out.

I'd love to drive into the Gaza Strip, but I'm thinking that might be a bit ballsy.

Anyone have experience here and can tell me if I'm missing anything in Israel? I'll likely never be here again, and I have a full 4 more days here, so I want to make sure I don't miss out!

I tried to take a photo of the US Embassy here, but I had my camera raised like 1" from my hip and I had security guys yelling at me. They are quick.

VaSteve · 04-14-2015, 09:27 AM

PM Black 993

356racing · 04-14-2015, 10:08 AM

Pelican giladblum is also in Isreal, send him a PM and I'm sure he can point you towards some attractions and dining. I would hire a cab for the day and let the driver guide your tour.

motion · 04-14-2015, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have spent a lot of time in Israel. The Navy bought one of their UAVs and I had to manage it.

Try Masada. A bit touristy but the story is very compelling.

Masada - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks, Paul. Masada looks very interesting. Added it to my list of things to see.

motion · 04-14-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 356racing

Pelican giladblum is also in Isreal, send him a PM and I'm sure he can point you towards some attractions and dining. I would hire a cab for the day and let the driver guide your tour.

Well, considering that a 15 minute cab ride from the airport cost me $42, I don't think I'm gonna be hiring a cab for the day.

356racing · 04-14-2015, 10:13 AM

You do have to negotiate up front! At the airport they know you are stuck, sitting in town with nothing to do they like the idea of a days work.

jorian · 04-14-2015, 03:52 PM

Old Jaffa if you like old world architecture, narrow streets etc. The Baha’i Gardens in Haifa are fantastic. A world heritage site and outstanding views of the city.

Dantilla · 04-14-2015, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Try Masada.

+1. Masada was a highlight for me. If you have time, skip the tram, and hike.

TimT · 04-14-2015, 04:41 PM

I lived in Israel from '79-'83, in a place that was "secret" near Eilat..

So my recollections are 30 years old...

You can't make a wrong turn in Israel. It's a tiny country, everywhere you turn there is history of significance

Jaffa

Masada

Tiberias

Dome of the Rock..

Bethlehem

There was a place I stayed at often... "Vered ha Galil" north of Galilee was cheap 30 years ago and had awesome views of Golan, Galilee etc..

Living there was one of my lifes highlights.... I'm afraid to go back and see how it has changed.....

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

https://www.facebook.com/yaronbeneli

Client of mine and Porsche owner ......ping him on Facebook.

J1NX3D · J1NX3D's Garage

+1 for Masada.

If you have a day to spare you can cross into Jordan on a guided tour to Petra. I crossd over from Eilat. It was amazing.

Dantilla · 04-15-2015, 07:13 PM

Moses walked the Red Sea- I waterskied it!

motion · 04-16-2015, 10:27 AM

Jeez, what a day.

I tried to get to Masada, but the road is closed at the southern area of the Dead Sea.

Had a nice day visiting the Jerusalem old city.

Went to the Qumran Caves to see the dead sea scrolls cave, but it was closed. I was in the parking lot reading Wikipedia on my iPhone when a young woman tries to get in my car. Turns out she is fighting with someone from her "tribe" and wants me to give her a ride to Ramallah, LOL, which is a Palestine area and the PLO headquarters. Yeah, that ain't gonna happen. The whole Palestine/Israeli thing makes me nervous. I can see the different license plates, but you never quite know what's going on around you. Entering the Temple Mount, the Israeli Police were actively questioning people if they were Muslim.

The Dead Sea is slimy and stinky

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Did you try to contact Yaron?

motion · 04-16-2015, 08:32 PM

Joe Bob, I read your post after I had returned back to Tel Aviv from that area, with no plans to head back up that way, so I did not contact him. Thanks for the info, though.

Jeff Higgins · 04-17-2015, 07:54 AM

How much longer are you going to be there? The reason I ask is that I'm supposed to be there right now, but we keep getting delayed. I'm heading over with about ten mechanics and one other engineer to work on an El Al 767 in Tel Aviv. I think we are now looking at the end of next week before we fly, so dang it, I'm sure I'll miss you. I was hoping to surprise you with a pm suggesting we go have a beer or something. That, and the other engineer grew up there, so I have a built in tour guide.

I'm dissapointed to hear about the road to Masada. That was going to be the highlight of my trip. Oh well, maybe it will be open again in another week.

motion · 04-17-2015, 08:02 AM

That would have been uber cool, Jeff! I am flying to Berlin in about 9 hours, however. You're going to have a great time here. The road I took to Masada was 1 East past Jericho, then 90 South. The 90 South portion was closed at the southern part of the Dead Sea.

You may be able to get to Masada by going 6 South, then 31 East. Not sure, however.

I really wish I had made it to both Masada and Jericho, but wasn't able to put them together.

Jeff Higgins · 04-17-2015, 10:51 AM

Rats. I figured your around-the-world tour wouldn't leave you in any one spot that long. Is Berlin a layover, or are you staying there for awhile?

I'm really hoping to see Masada, so it's good to hear there might be more than one way to get there. Of course my partner Ben likely knows every back way to get anywhere, so I shouldn't have too much trouble.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Post pics . . . please.

Ian