Robin's Adventures

The Hippodrome at Caesarea, which was about 1,500 feet long and 300 feet wide, was designed for chariot racing. There was seating for about 30,000 spectators in the stone benches that lined the track.

Akko Museum was formerly an old 18th century citadel that was used by the British in the 1920s as a prison building. Exhibits in the museum commemorate the Jewish resistance fighters who were held in the building when it was a prison.

As we wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Town Akko, we passed by a variety of restaurants, shops, and an active mosque. There was an alcove with a long beam across the top near the edge of the Old Town area. Our guide told us that this is where outlaws were hung in days gone by as a warning to other lawless characters who might be coming into the town.

In the middle of Old Town Akko is a sprawling souk, or marketplace, filled with an interesting assortment of everyday stuff. There are food vendors, household goods, fresh produce, fresh fish, baked goods, and all manner of souvenir items.

The sights, sounds, and smells of the old town provided a unique look at all that the merchants had to offer.

We have visited markets in many different cities around the world and have found that while many of the same items are available, each location also has its own unique set of goods that give some insight into local character and customs. It was an interesting way to spend the afternoon.

When in Old Town Akko, one must visit the local version of "Starbucks" to get a cup of coffee. The cafe and its proprietor were indeed very colorful. We didn't see the Health Department rating in the front window, but perhaps that was because there was no glass in the front window ...

Our lunch stop involved falafel and shawarma at a small stand in the marketplace. We knew it was fresh because we watched as it was made from scratch. After lunch, Steve checked out a local bakery where he was overheard remarking "Everything looks so good!"

The cable cars at Rosh Hanikra, which have the distinction of being the steepest in the world, take visitors down from the cliff above to the sea grottoes below. The grottoes, which are a series of beautiful caves and tunnels, were formed by the action of the ocean wearing away the soft chalk rock. Rosh Hanikra is on Israel's Mediterranean coast near the border of Lebanon.

Old Town Tzfat, which is a mountain community that is almost 3,000 feet above sea level, is the highest city in Israel. The narrow winding cobblestone streets that are only accessible on foot are filled with homes, shops, and synagogues.

Tzfat, which has been called the center of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, grew dramatically in the 16th century as Jews poured in from Spain and Portugal. Much of the architecture of the city dates back to this time period and provided a sense of old world charm as we wandered through the streets.

The Malkiya Kibbutz was established in 1949 and currently has a population of about 450 people. We met up there with some long-time residents who were the brother and sister-in-law of our friends from home and we were given a wonderful tour of the area with many interesting facts and insights about life on a kibbutz.