Arrival and Jerusalem Beach

Our first flight trip in 3 years... Many ask us, 'Why Israel?' For us, it has been a dream for a long time. The kids are old enough, we are experienced travelers. It's time for an adventure. Admittedly, there is some apprehension in the travel preparation, and although we have done more research than any other trip... Israel remains a mystery to us and a 'we-still-need-to-figure-this-out-before-we-leave' becomes an 'OK-let's-figure-it-out-there'.

Corona has not completely disappeared, it leaves chaos at German airports and causes numerous flight cancellations. Of course, we are affected by this and we arrive at BER Airport at 2 am, 4 hours before the planned boarding and unfortunately two hours before the opening of the security checks. So we doze for two hours on the airport floor, like many other eager travelers.

We have a provisional breakfast between the two security checks. The checks seem very strict to us, but everything goes smoothly and we depart on time. We plan a lot of time to go through passport control, get our luggage, and somehow make it to our accommodation after arriving at Tel Aviv Airport. But on-site, everything turns out to be very uncomplicated.

At the airport, we buy a SIM card with an Israeli number, so we can have unlimited internet on the go without expensive roaming. We also buy 4 RAV cards, reloadable cards, which we can use for public transportation.

There is a train directly from the airport to the train station in about 15 minutes, from there we take (which later turns out to be unnecessary) bus line 15. Here the adventure begins: the bus stops, the kids get on, and the bus drives away. Without parents. A loud protest from the other passengers leads to at least one parent being allowed on the bus, while the other has to take the next one. Apart from this little adventure, public transportation in Israel works very well and is clear and much cheaper than a rental car.

Israel seemed foreign to us before our departure, but now it seems familiar to us. Tel Aviv is loud, lively, hot, and so helpful, and often reminds us of Bangkok. And from the beginning, it simply captivates us, without any culture shock or feeling lost, and above all without feeling unsafe in this country.

We choose to stay with Dan and his dog Lucie for the next few days, not far from the old town. A small authentic and cozy apartment with a garden where pomegranates grow. The neighborhood has its own charm with many small, pieced-together and colorful houses.

We have been traveling for a long time on this day, so we decide to relax in the evening. We take the bus towards Carmel Market, stroll through the narrow alley mazes, have a bite to eat, and then head to Jerusalem Beach where we swim and watch the sunset.