Grandma, Grandpa, Margalit, Dani and I set off to hike Mount Carmel (Dec 7th), and explore some caves. We drove up to Haifa University on top of mount carmel, and parked in the nature reserve -- along with hundreds of students who were hiking across the street to class. We didn't see the trail head when we pulled into the parking lot, but with a little exploring, a good map, and a very detailed description of the hike, we were able to pick up the trail just little further along.
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Despite being written up as a hike suitable for "ALL", the trail very quickly being rather difficult. The descent was steep, and the ground, although dry, was very slippery. It was hard to walk without falling, even with the walking sticks we found in the brush. The slippery terrain did not slow down Margalit and Dani who were constantly waiting for the slower members of the group. Eventually we made it down the worse part and to a spring called Ein Kedem. There was a cool cave there that Dani and I explored. Meanwhile Grandpa was speculating that the cow dung was bear poop. He obviously does know from shit. That was enough to get us and especially Margalit slightly spooked. Lest we run into a bear, we backed out of the cave and hiked on.
It wouldn't be a hike in Israel if we didn't see some trash along the way. After passing 4 tires in the river bed, we didn't know what to expect next until we crashed into it.
Continued the hike through some ancient olive groves, finally found the cows, and made it all the way to Tira Carmel at the bottom of the mountain. From there we hailed a taxi to take us back to the top of the mountain, the great views of Haifa Bay, and Coast, lunch and return trip home.
Dena, Grandma, Grandpa and the little girls went to the Safara (5 dec) and had a great time. Everybody loved the animals -- the elephant family, the tigers, the lions, etc. It's even better than a real African Safari, because you don't have to drive around looking for animals -- they've all right there up close. The Ostriches even came and knocked on the car windows.
We'd been warned, but somehow we had avoided the problem for 4+ months, and I was beginning to think maybe it was all urban legend. Nope. It's true. Maybe you've seen the book, "Kids love Israel". I'm now writing a new one, "Lice Love Israel".
Having Mom and Dad visit was great not just because we got to see them, but also because they let us take off for a quick 24 hour vacation in Tel Aviv (Dec 4th). Dena and I stayed at the Rennaisance Hotel on the beach. In the evening we walked to Jaffa, had a snack at Abulaffia's, and then walked back to each at a cafe on the tayelet. In the morning we had a great Israeli style breakfast at the hotel looking out over the mediterrenean ocean. Absolutely beautiful.
