Promenading Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is not the most beautiful city I’ve ever been to–far from it. But what makes it so fascinating is the vibrancy and yet laid-back feeling that permeates the city. It’s a young city – only 100 years old – so you find a lot of new construction but also a lot of run-down buildings. While everyone speaks English, there is surprisingly little signage in English, street signage aside. Go into most cafés with board menus and it’s almost all Hebrew. You can ask and find out in English, but a little advance info on what they are serving would help. That said, Tel Aviv is a great walking city with great beaches:

Having recovered from one bout of sunburn in the Cook Islands, I decided to forgo beach time, but have walked the promenade from one end (Tel Aviv port) to the other (Jaffa). Yes, you can walk the length of the city along the beach promenade. Along the way you will find beach restaurants, a large park, and lots of people. People sitting and kibitzing, biking, walking, and jogging. While cities like Sydney, you see a lot of young people, here there is a mix of the young and the old, giving Tel Aviv so much character.

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November 18, 2010 2

Security

Wow, I knew that security would be tight here but it still takes you aback when you see so much of it. To people here, it’s obviously a way of life. But I was stopped by security right after getting off the plane and asked a bunch of questions, then grilled by the passport control agent. But when I entered the prime shopping mall, the Dizenghoff Center, each entrance had a guard going through people’s bags and waving a wand on everyone. He asked me if I had a weapon on me. It’s amazing the freedoms we take for granted in the USA and so easy to criticize others who live with uncertainty every day.

November 14, 2010 6

Moving to the Right

After five consecutive countries that drive on the left, it was strange to be back in a country that drives on the right. Had to get used to it all over again!
jumpboobs.com

November 14, 2010 2

Journey to the Minute

Arrived in Tel Aviv. Here’s the updated map:

Boy, am I glad I spent the extra money for business class. Hong Kong to Bangkok to Amman to Tel Aviv. Lots of time at the airports. Lots of time taking advantage of the biz class lounges!

November 14, 2010 0

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Hong Kong style, that is. The owner of the apartment I rented has an outdoor cafe, Café De Fontaine, in the South Seas Centre, not far from the waterfront and the Avenue of the Stars. As I arrived, they had just had their Christmas lighting ceremony. I’ll still take the Wanamakers Christmas Light Show.

November 13, 2010 0

A Couple More Street Shots at Night

Always a feast for the eyes…

jumpboobs.com

November 13, 2010 0

The Longest Escalator in the World

This escalator, called the Central-Mid Levels, is the longest outdoor escalator in the world – over 800 metres (over 2600 feet). It is on Hong Kong Island as the streets rise above each other. Oh, it only goes up so the way down is walking.

November 13, 2010 0

More Cool Modern Architecture

This one is above the Elements mall:

November 13, 2010 0

At the Movies

I had heard that seeing a movie in Hong Kong is a great experience. Aside from the fact that it is so much cheaper than in LA, going to the movies does bring a bit of the “wow” factor. You always have an assigned a seat and can choose where you want. The AMC Pacific Place has the most comfortable leather (French leather, of course) chairs I’ve ever sat in in a movie theatre.

I saw the French fantasy (in English and Chinese subtitles), The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec, which was silly, charming, and a lot of fun.

Then there is The Grand at the newest mall in Hong Kong, Elements. The mall itself is pretty cool in that it is divided into sections that are based on the elements of fire, wood, earth, water, and metal. For example, most jewelry stores are in the metal section. Because it was in one of the larger theatres and I wanted the best experience, I saw Unstoppable. Not knowing much about it, I was surprised how engaging and exciting it was. But the sound was the most pristine sound I’ve ever heard in a movie theatre. And so realistic that the theatre and your seat vibrates with from the louder sounds in the movie. It’s a strange sensation at first, like a subwoofer for a seat, but it’s pretty cool.

November 12, 2010 3

Ngong Ping 360

At the top of the cable car is a little village with outdoor entertainment, nice souvenir shops (not the standard souvenir shop crap), cafes, a multi-media history of Buddha, a monestary, a roaming animal or two and what is believed to be the highest Buddha statue in the world. There are also walking trails. Plenty to do for a nice day out of the hustle and bustle of the city.