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Published: October 7th 2006
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I don't have a camera, so I am not responsible for what follows. Partly. I gladly accepted an invitation to see my friend(Tomer) as he hiked all 940KMs of the Israel Trail, starting at the most northern point, Kibbutz Dan, and making his way to Eilat.
It would be my first time hiking anywhere near the center of the country and I admit I didn't have high expectations to see the Israel I like. I met him at a junction at Chadera, about 50KMs north of Tel-Aviv and we were dropped off near the train station to meet the 5 members of his party. So we began our hike through the uninteresting eucalyptus forests of the area, making our way towards sand dunes where go karts and other sandlubbers got their kicks. We eventually lost the trail but found after jumping the railroad tracks and finally made it to a decent park south of Chadera where a large creek flowed from the sea between tall sawgrass. We had started late so at this point the sun went down, and full moon began it's ascent behind us as we made our way slowly to the Mediterrainian Sea.
Arriving at the sea as darkness fell in we found an abandoned large
Band of Gypsies
My traveling theater for 900KMs:
[from the left] Tomer, Smadar, Michal, Maayan, Yuval overhanging tent used in the day as a kite-surfing school office, and made use of it as our kitchen, bedroom, and lounge though we had no wood to make a fire. Tomer and I took advantage of my light-up, floating frisbee and went to the shore to have some fun until supper called. Eventually worn out we headed back and witnessed out almost ready pot of Kinowa/Lentil dinner fall and go to serious waste, and waited possibly another 50 dull minutes for food that pushed off our sleep. Maayan, cleverly, went to bed instead and slept over in our lunch break the next day.
We woke up hell-a-early to discover the couple, Maayan and Yoav, had abandoned the night before(disturbing my wonderful sandy sleep otherwise) due to Yoav's foot problem and went to a friend's house. So we cleaned up slowly and a little put out, but soon made our way down the beach which we continued for some hours until we reached Netanya, a city known for it's Russian population and most of all gang wars. We weren't hinted to the latter, but we had probably the most abject and sad of hikes as we climbed up from
Our Only Trail Markers
Katom al Kakhol al Lavan, ze ha simun. the beach cliffs into Netanya, passed through saturday morning promenade traffic where we were heard more Russian than any other language and I with the oppresive heat, palm trees, and the traffic I felt as if I was in some sort of Ukranian version of southern Florida. After some hours making our way through the streets of Netanya(picking Maayan up on the way who then left again to go eat at McDonalds with her boyfriend and his car) where I started losing respect for the trail we finally arrived to a real trail that led us through deep sand and hard wind until we reached the sea where we once again continued south pleasently along the beach. It was enjoyable to pass from the crowded accessible beach areas to the quiet cliff-sides where some fishermen sit boringly and some nudists enjoy the light amount of privacy they try to find there.
We came to our next trail that entered above the cliffs and decided to stop and found shade near the beach under some crumbling rock walls. Everyone rested but for Tomer and I who made quickly for the beach with my frisbee and continued our escapades under the sun
Slippery sand dunes
Me walking very unstably before arriving to the sea. and in the water. This was all followed by a pleasent lunch of preserved sausage, tuna, bread, tahini, tomatoes, pickles, and occaisonally some great granola Michal made was brought forth. Soon everyone was back to sleep but Tomer at some point using his extended youth to find enough energy to play frisbee again also.
The day continued similarily going down the beach and up the cliffs until we reached Herzeliya, where we stopped for beer and afterwards ice cream, and best of all got a ride to Yuval's house a few kilometers inland where his parents had 2 liters of chocolate milk waiting, internet, hot food, and all sorts of things to make a dry sandy face crack a smile.
Tomorrow we will reach Tel-Aviv where I should probably split for my cousin's Amit's place, and then head back up north.
I am thoroughly pleased that I was able to do this hike as so I know not to do a hike out here ever again, where the Israel Trail is forced inland due to the best hiking routes eastwards are in unfriendly hands. But I saw amazing quiet beaches one can arrive to if he has willing feet.
Waves to himself
The sea from the cliffs of Netanya What more to say? It's hot. I'll be in Germany on the 20th.
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