Our trip from Asia and up the Red Sea was rewarded with landfall in Israel, one of the best destinations we have experienced anywhere in the world. We arrived at Ashkelon marina to a warm welcome from the very friendly and helpful marina management, Israeli security, and customs. While very thorough, the security forces were very friendly. Customs was easy and there were no charges to check in. We were given the option of having our passports stamped or having a stamped card put in our passports in case we wanted to visit other Arab countries. (no thank you, we had our share coming up the Red Sea!) Ashkelon is a very nice marina with nice facilities, shopping just a 10 min. the bus ride away, and rental cars available for easy touring of the country.

Because we wanted to be a bit closer to Tel Aviv, after a week or so, we shifted to Herzliya Marina, just 10 minutes north of Tel Aviv. This is a very deluxe marina built in front of a shopping mall with great restaurants, services, and also a very friendly and helpful staff. From here, we were able to get into Tel Aviv quite easily and be in a very European city. Tel Aviv has high rises, a beautiful boardwalk, great beaches, fantastic shopping, and restaurants enough for a lifetime!

In Israel, the phones work, the cellular network works, the trains run on time, taxis are plentiful, the food is excellent, and the food shopping is as good as anywhere. The fruits and vegetables are grown on Israel’s incredible array of farms; avocados the size of softballs, lettuce that does not need to be washed in bleach (yeah!), and summer fruits beyond description. It is amazing to see what the Israelis have done with their desert land making it into a bread basket, especially after seeing other countries in the area that are still nothing more than just desert.

Touring in Israel is unlimited; Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, The Dead Sea, Galilee, wineries, kibbutz, farms, beaches, nightclubs, and even easy access to Petra in Jordan.

Never once have we felt even the slightest fear for our safety. Yes, security here is tight; you are scanned going into shopping malls, but it is well appreciated and easy to get used to. We feel far safer here than any of the other countries we have visited crossing the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, and we see none of the middle east tensions that are so touted on the news.

Our overall experience in Israel has been excellent and we would highly recommend visiting here! And, it’s just a simple overnight sail from Port Said upon exiting the Suez Canal!

Enjoy Israel!

Larry

s/v JULIA