up North

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wow Israel is something else. I don't think I've ever been to a place where everywhere you go has got so much history and the people are so well schooled about it. I'm glad the war with Lebanon has come to an end and life is back to normal for most, because I've met some amazing people and been showed around places that a month ago I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do. The people here are really nice, and just stoked to meet a backpacker in their country, who's willing to ignore the media and give it a proper chance. delightfully suprised I have been, and have felt safer here then in a lot of other countries I've visited, so don't be shy and get over here - you'll love it! Special huge thanks to Mickey, Erez and Shaked who looked after me like their long lost brother, you guys were great and I hope that I can return the favor for you one day in New Zealand.

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Photos

Frishman's beach
Tel Aviv

russ in Israel
with a view of Tel Aviv from Jaffa

surfers in Jaffa-Tel Aviv
I dont think the "drop-in" rule applys here

me at Neve Yam
this beach is awesome! I was trying to Hitch-hike to Haifa and a dude dropped me off here cos he thought I'd like it. he was right. I met some people in the Local Kibutz and ended up staying with them for a week

buddies
the first night I slept on the beach and smelt these guys cooking somthing scrummy so invited myself over. they were here having a second go at a holiday they'd planned a couple of months ago. but they showed up and half a day later bombs started falling like 20mins away from this beach so they though they better bail it. cool guys, and real good cooks too. mmmmmmmmm chiiicken

Mickey's pad
that's Erez on the Left, Micky in the middle and Tomo on the right. real cool guys who made me feel really welcome and let me stay at their places for a whole week!

the Bahai Gardens - Haifa
these were amazing! it was yet another religion that I'd never heard of before, based on peace and equal rights, and these gardens where made here as the religous site where Bahai people come from all over the world come to worship. that Shrine looking thing down there is actually the Tomb for one of the founders of Bahai.

in the gardens
they've used all unseasonal plants and trees so that it's colourfull all year round. and all of it is funded by donations from Bahai people only, they dont accept donations from anyone else, and dont charge an entrance fee to walk around. pretty cool

Bahai flower pots
just a cool photo

skaterboys
happy to have there street back, these kids were evacuated south during the war and had returned just over a month ago. about 80 bombs fell in Haifa during the war

the front line
these girls, 18 and in there first year of mandatory miltary service, all played some part in the recent war with Lebbanon. It took a bit of getting used to - getting on the public busses and trains alongs side these kids on their way to or from the Army.

Erez the tour guide!!!
one of my new found friends from Neve yam turned out to be a tour guide, so he took me along on one of his tours to the Golan Heights - sweet

town of Cana
that's where Jesus did his first ever miricle. he was at some wedding and they ran out of wine, so his mum was like, do something. so turned some big jars of water into wine and the party went on.

on tour with Erez
this was actually a company trip for HP Israel, and I got to tag along. it was great day, walking through a vally in the Judea, Golan Heights.

me and Zaid from lost
this valley is part of a split caused by plates under the ground, which ripped through from Syria all the way down into Africa

waterfall action
at some parts of the walk we had to bag up all our stuff and swim for a bit to get back to the track.

Comments

[erez]

hey man good to see the pictures and to see that you realy liked our country which you saw just a small part of it we realy hope to see you again and take you on tours with us because there are not many backpackers in israel like you most people come here for other things and they dont realy get the trues about this country which is amazing . keep havung a good time and take care the jeep is ruined and i dont even know if im going to fix it now because i dont have a lot of money so dont forget to put yout sit belt next time ( if you have one in the car...) adios amigo

[jorge]

amazing
wow man, really cool place, i think israel is fascinating and magical.. i would like fly there.. take care weon.. jajajaj see you

[Leahpi]

welcome to Israel
hey, nice to see someone unafraid to travel to israel! most people don't realize how great a country it is because of how it is reported on the news all the time. I'm american, but have been in Israel for over 3 months now. How long are you in Israel for? Well, enjoy your travels!

[Micky]

Your always welcome brother
Russel, Thanks for your beautifull comments on Israel (The best address in the middle east) We were very fortunate to have you with us and Im am very impressed that you Fasted on Yom Kippur !!!! I hope you have more amazing travels and more amazing experiences!!! Your always welcome here my freind!!!!!!!!!

[dukes]

duuuude
good times big luss.....can't wait till barrier at new years. bro....those chicks would own you all day long....shizzer!