Israel Day Three (October 10)

We woke up on time today, around 7:30 am (unlike yesterday's 9:30 am). Breakfast buffet was just as yummy. Forgot to describe one of yesterday's photos. When you enter the hotel room, your key card goes in a slot by the door -- that turns on the electricity for the room. Obviously when you leave, you remove the key card (so you can get back in).

We strolled to the other end of Rothschild Blvd. this morning, through Habima Square (several cultural institutions, including a theater and auditorium, and gardens), and through Dan Park (a haven for children with lots of playground equipment -- at least three birthday parties were going on when we went through). Eventually we got to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. We only went through two floors but I was thrilled to see Marc Chagall paintings (photos below). There were lots of other impressionists and post-impressionists. You'll be amazed to see my photo of a Picasso that is actually recognizable as real people.

We then continued to stroll, stopping for lunch at Lilush (described in the Fodor guide as a cozy neighborhood bistro, we didn't know it was in the guide, just picked it because it was open on Shabbat and the menu looked okay). Mike & I both had mint lemonade.

And then . . . the beach. For 30 shekels (about $7) we rented two lounge chairs and an umbrella and spent the afternoon with a myriad of beach goers (the two ladies next to me were Russian, there were two young men from Germany across from us, and a wide mix of others). I only waded but Mike went for several swims. Very relaxing.

We strolled back to the hotel, mainly along Allenby St. After some computer time we headed out to dinner, going back to Rustico, the Italian restaurant on Rothschild we'd been to Thursday night. We shared a Roman salad (what we'd call a Caesar salad but with a few mushrooms) and each got the mushroom risotto. I had the signature cocktail which is campari with pomegranate juice, orange juice and wedges, and a few other juices. And we shared the chocolate tower (four species of chocolate said our waiter -- I expected dark, milk, white, and something else; instead it was four different preparations) plus cappuccino for Mike and mint tea for Nancy.

This is our last night on our own. Tomorrow morning we'll head over to the Dan Panorama Hotel and then go out to the airport to meet our group.

Day 3 photos