We decided to spend our last days in the Middle East at the Red Sea town of Eilat, Israel. Our other choice for some sun and fun
on the beach was to take a bus to the Egyptian border, walk across and then haggle with a cab driver over a fare to the resort area just south of Taba. Given the governmental instability in Egypt, prices are relatively dirt cheap, but we decided to forgo this option since we needed rest from travel.
Described by the Israeli’s as the Las Vegas of their country, Eilat suited our relaxation needs just fine.
There are a few large hotels at one end of the town, but we were more interested in heading to the beach, then lubing and buttering up with our lotion, renting our loungers and umbrella (to avoid the heat of the direct sun), basking in the warm temperature and taking a dip in the Red Sea or the outdoor showers (for rinsing off the salt) to cool us off. Yes we did get out there and soak up a few rays of sun (and much needed Vitamin D) but we were determined not to be voted the “Best Lobsters” on the beach. As you can imagine, there were quite a few perfect specimens, all roasted red and beaming that competed for the numero uno spot daily. Those burnt babies – just looking at them is painful!
There is a reef at the south end of town and we rented snorkeling gear for a peak at some of the underwater wildlife. It is hardly extensive but we knew that going in.
It is better to snorkel in Egypt so we will have to come back to that some other time. Still, there was a variety of fish (apparently 650 species), a few schools to swim through and a bit of colourful stony coral to keep us entertained for about an hour. Then we high tailed it out of there once the jellyfish invaded our territory.
One thing you can’t help but notice is that the airport is smack dab in the middle of town. We were walking over to the beach and this plane came so low flying over our head, I thought for sure Gilbert was in for a new haircut – quite a bit off the top, leaving the sides long. From a further distance away we realized the planes are clearing the treetops with plenty of room to spare, but when you’re directly under the plane and the runway is 2 blocks away you pretty much go into your own autopilot - ducking to give adequate clearance.
And what is this description of Eilat from the guide book we have. A quote from Lonely Planet “For most visitors Eilat’s real appeal is its surrounding desert mountains and canyons”. What planet are these writers on anyway? It’s sunny and hot (36 C) with a
clear blue sky and even bluer sea and every imaginable water sport available. I can promise you we saw no evidence that anyone was heading to the desert for the day. Especially when the standard dress is bathing suits and cover ups with an incessant smell of coconut oil in the air.
Our time in Israel and the Middle East was nearly over. Which brings us to the ultimate question - How do you define archaic? Answer -Gilbert and Christine So we pass the interrogation process at customs in Eilat for our late evening flight to Tel Aviv. Then it’s on to the ticket agents for the boarding pass and luggage drop-off.
Thinking we will have to pass through customs again for our flight to Rome from Tel Aviv, Gilbert asks the agents if we will have any problems with the alarm clock he is carrying (that’s right alarm clock). The agents say “Why don’t you use your cell phone, that’s what we do”. Gilbert says, “We don’t have one.” The agents say “Oh, you have one but you left it back home instead of bringing it along travelling.” Gilbert says “Actually no, we really don’t have one.” I can promise you the agents were in disbelief and wondered how we ‘stay connected’. Do you think running through their mind they wondered “What planet are they on? I can tell you I feel just like a Bedouin who hasn’t joined ranks with the 21st century, especially when we saw an 85 year old lady on the beach the day before, texting like crazy. I promise Chau Wei - next year I’ll have that phone.
And now it’s on to Rome again for a few more days before going home.
on the beach was to take a bus to the Egyptian border, walk across and then haggle with a cab driver over a fare to the resort area just south of Taba. Given the governmental instability in Egypt, prices are relatively dirt cheap, but we decided to forgo this option since we needed rest from travel.Described by the Israeli’s as the Las Vegas of their country, Eilat suited our relaxation needs just fine.
There are a few large hotels at one end of the town, but we were more interested in heading to the beach, then lubing and buttering up with our lotion, renting our loungers and umbrella (to avoid the heat of the direct sun), basking in the warm temperature and taking a dip in the Red Sea or the outdoor showers (for rinsing off the salt) to cool us off. Yes we did get out there and soak up a few rays of sun (and much needed Vitamin D) but we were determined not to be voted the “Best Lobsters” on the beach. As you can imagine, there were quite a few perfect specimens, all roasted red and beaming that competed for the numero uno spot daily. Those burnt babies – just looking at them is painful!There is a reef at the south end of town and we rented snorkeling gear for a peak at some of the underwater wildlife. It is hardly extensive but we knew that going in.
It is better to snorkel in Egypt so we will have to come back to that some other time. Still, there was a variety of fish (apparently 650 species), a few schools to swim through and a bit of colourful stony coral to keep us entertained for about an hour. Then we high tailed it out of there once the jellyfish invaded our territory.One thing you can’t help but notice is that the airport is smack dab in the middle of town. We were walking over to the beach and this plane came so low flying over our head, I thought for sure Gilbert was in for a new haircut – quite a bit off the top, leaving the sides long. From a further distance away we realized the planes are clearing the treetops with plenty of room to spare, but when you’re directly under the plane and the runway is 2 blocks away you pretty much go into your own autopilot - ducking to give adequate clearance.
And what is this description of Eilat from the guide book we have. A quote from Lonely Planet “For most visitors Eilat’s real appeal is its surrounding desert mountains and canyons”. What planet are these writers on anyway? It’s sunny and hot (36 C) with a
clear blue sky and even bluer sea and every imaginable water sport available. I can promise you we saw no evidence that anyone was heading to the desert for the day. Especially when the standard dress is bathing suits and cover ups with an incessant smell of coconut oil in the air.Our time in Israel and the Middle East was nearly over. Which brings us to the ultimate question - How do you define archaic? Answer -Gilbert and Christine So we pass the interrogation process at customs in Eilat for our late evening flight to Tel Aviv. Then it’s on to the ticket agents for the boarding pass and luggage drop-off.
Thinking we will have to pass through customs again for our flight to Rome from Tel Aviv, Gilbert asks the agents if we will have any problems with the alarm clock he is carrying (that’s right alarm clock). The agents say “Why don’t you use your cell phone, that’s what we do”. Gilbert says, “We don’t have one.” The agents say “Oh, you have one but you left it back home instead of bringing it along travelling.” Gilbert says “Actually no, we really don’t have one.” I can promise you the agents were in disbelief and wondered how we ‘stay connected’. Do you think running through their mind they wondered “What planet are they on? I can tell you I feel just like a Bedouin who hasn’t joined ranks with the 21st century, especially when we saw an 85 year old lady on the beach the day before, texting like crazy. I promise Chau Wei - next year I’ll have that phone.And now it’s on to Rome again for a few more days before going home.
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