Israel - Tel Aviv and Haifa

Will's cap fell off his tooth so we had to find an emergency dentist in Tel Aviv.  That was all ok but walking back to our hotel we were decidedly unimpressed with Tel Aviv.  The next day we went on a tour of Tel Aviv.  Our guide took us to a street that was supposed to be like the Champs Elysee in Paris.  It was called Rothchild Avenue.  Well, they obviously hadn't been to Paris.  The whole experience left me wondering about the good opinion that I have always had about Israel.  The streets were dirty, the buildings were left unmaintained, and it generally looked like a slum.
Today, we left Tel Aviv and on the way out, we saw the residences and apartments and suburbs that you would expect Israeli's to live in.  Beautiful buildings, good suburbs, parks etc etc. I don't think the guide did a good job of introducing us to his city.
We are now staying in Haifa, the home of the Bai'hi faith.  The philosophies are all good and very similar to the Whirling Dervishes.  They maintain these beautiful gardens for meditation and prayer.  They don't believe in churches and believe that everyone, especially men and women are equal.  Similar to Quakers as well.  Will won't join the faith as they don't believe in alcohol!

Bai'hi Gardens overlooking Haifa, Israel

Athens and Santorini



View from our Balcony

What a view! Priceless

We arrive in Santorini late at night after spending the entire afternoon and evening just getting from Istanbul.  But, it sure was worth it!
Everywhere you look, the views are just spectacular.  It is the quintessential tourist trap and and absolute pleasure.
We hired a quad bike for the day and rode over the entire island, 40 kms long.  We loaded up all of our laundry on the bike and dropped it off at the laundromat for pick up 2 hours later.
We rode uphill and down dale, stopped for coffee, lunch, a look at a few beaches - great fun.
All good things have to come to an end, and we headed back to Athens.
It was a "How to see Athens in 3 hours" tour.  Will wanted to see his famous "Antikythera mechanism" which was on display at the Archeological museum.
The copies that were made of the original lived up to his expectations.



Antikythera Mechanism


We then headed off to the Acropolis and Parthenon for a lightning visit.  Just so Will could see it in person.

The Acropolis