St. Peter's Church

A very old Catholic church in Jaffa.

Ramses II's Gate Garden

This is the reconstructed gateway to a building from the time of Egyptian ruler Ramses II (1400-1200 BCE). A portion of the jamb, inscribed with hieroglyphics, was discovered by an Israeli archeologist in the late 1950s.

The Mediterranean in Jaffa

Some newer construction close to the port in old Jaffa.

Tel Aviv Seen From Jaffa

Tel Aviv, as seen from the hill in old Jaffa.

Old Jaffa, Israel

On Friday before leaving, I spent a couple of hours exploring old Jaffa, which is located just south of Tel Aviv along the Mediteranean Sea.

Mini Israel

On Wednesday night, my friend from the Lod plant, Asaf, took me to visit Mini Israel. The Park is located in Latrun, just off the main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and only a few minutes from Ben Gurion Airport. It contains scale models in incredible detail of the main attractions from all over Israel laid out so as to correspond to where they are geographically. I didn't have my camera so I can't show you pictures. The following link will take you to pictures and more information. Afterwards, we had supper back in Tel Aviv at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the beach. http://www.minisrael.co.il/

A More Colourful Sunset

Tried agin Tuesday night to get better sunset photo from the balcony. This one's not too bad.

Sunset on Sunday

I have access to the executive lounge which has a balcony overlooking the beach. It got a bit cloudy on the horizon and kind of messed up my planned sunset shot, but it still looks pretty good. People still swimming even after dark. The water is warm but there are stinging jellyfish which are impossible to spot in the dark! It's a tough life.

Mini Vacation

So much clean white sand and great surf right across the street from my hotel. It's like a mini one-day dream vacation in paradise. I gotta come back here!

Tel Aviv, Israel

I arrived early Sunday morning at 3:30 am. Got up at noon later Sunday, looked out the window and found myself in paridise. This shot of the beach doesn't do it justice. It was well above 30C and humid, but there was a breeze. Went swimming in the sea and the water is so warm. Great waves too.

The Lanchid Across the Danube in Budapest

The Lanchid, or chain bridge, links Buda and Pest across the Danube. Built by Adam Clark, a Scot, in 1849, this major landmark is closed to vehicular traffic every Saturday in the summer and open to pedestrians. Kiosks for souvenirs and food are set up at each end of the bridge and bands play at both ends while throngs of people walk back and forth.

Diosgyor Castle

Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc was built in the mid 1200s and for a time was home to the King of Hungary. The Turks held the castle and the country for about a century and a half starting in 1544. The Austrians overcame the Turks and for a time the castle was a mint and treasury. A Hungarian revolt in 1706 led to the destruction of the town and the gradual decay of the castle.

Miskolc, Hungary

I left Montreal Sunday night and arrived in Budapest Monday morning and drove to Miskolc. It was a beautiful warm, sunny day for a drive. To avoid the traffic in Budapest, at the suggestion of the car rental agent, I drove through a number of small towns, and picked up the highway to Miskolc east of Budapest. The drive took about 2 1/2 hours.

Today (Thursday, July 21) I drove to Lillafüred, about 20 km. from Miskolc to eat dinner in a castle!

Waterfall in Lillafüred

This is the highest waterfall in Hungary. There are also caves in the rock where hundred thousand year old flint implements were found.

Hotel Palota, Lillafüred

This hotel was completed in 1930 as part of a community project to develop the area for tourism and recreation.

Lake Hámori, Lillafüred, Hungary

Lake Hámori at sunset.