Top Tel-Aviv coastal view from the old Jaffa City
Bottom Cats living along the coast.
Day 5 Cycling around Tel-Aviv and old Jaffa city
I packed up to prepare a full day cycle ride. In fact I didn’t bring too many stuff with me, since my cycling route was around the city. And I am quite sure that things that I need, like water or food will be pretty handy to get.
Breakfast, don’t try to compare with the best one, was not so bad. Just for filling up the hole, is quite OK. In this breakfast, I learnt something new. Thai was what Israeli coffee is about. I’d like to talk about it when I come back home, OK?
The bike shop opened at 9am. I’d waited there before the shop opened. The boss and the other worker don’t speak English. Another worker is a migrant from the Philippines ; his name is Lolly Boy. He is the only person speaks English. They are so nice that every one wanted to have a photo taken with me. I hope that I can send those photo to them after.
The ride began. The direction was simple and easy. All you need to know is where the Sea is, and then you won’t be lost. I started from the very south and just kept ridding north. The northern limit for this trip was the Nakhal Yarkon River . Look up from the Google map, you will know.
As I started ridding, since it was still early, there were not many people around. I tell you what I’ve done:
A group of primary school kids were drawing pictures guided by teachers. A teacher took 2 photos for me, (while I am away by myself, I have to ask nearby people take photo for me), then she told the class that I came from Australia .
Groups and groups of surfers were already on the sea.
I went further north; I saw permanent gazebos on the beach. In one of them, there were 2 persons sleeping inside, with thick overcoats and sleeping bags of course.
There was so peaceful that I’d like to touch the water of the sea although I was not preparing to swim. I locked the bike, bike lock was provided when you rent a bike, stepped on the sand, walked to one gazebo, took my socks and shoes off, then dipped my feet, feet only, into the water. Here came a morning walker, who was walking his dog. He took some photos for me.
I left the water, took out my harmonica, I played two songs, I still call Australia home and waltzing Matilda. My performance woke him up. But he said that I am good.
I went further up. I saw people sit inside or outside beach side cafés having breakfast and enjoying morning sunshine.
I ride onto a deck; I saw mothers and kids play, lovers hold together and….you name it. On the sea side corner of the deck, I saw a group of men there. They were sitting around a small stove with a wide mouth pot on the fire, and enjoying coffee. One of them waved to me. Me? I asked. Yes, you, come. I went to them. He offered me a coffee which was just boiled from the stove. I accepted it of course. Then he introduced the rest of the group to me one by one. He showed me how to make coffee in his way. I took some photos with these men and video of course. It was so nice. Then I said goodbye shake hands to everyone and went on me trip.
I reached the river then went east along the river bank. I saw Clubs, like rowing club, Sea Scout club, and reserves are built. I saw a kiddie farm there, with long horn goats, peacocks, etc in it. Not far away there, I saw a small reserve for dogs!!! Later in this ridding trip I saw another bigger one. I learnt from the book that people here love dogs and warned travellers that they have to be careful of dog drops on the road. I saw some but it was not that bad.
I turned south and went into the heart of the city.
Before this, I was riding on bike tracks, and from now on I ride on pedestrian paths. These paths are so wide that they are built for walkers and riders. I didn’t find any problem as I was cycling on them.
To have my sim card fixed, I went to the biggest shopping mall of Tel-Aviv, the Diezngof Shopping Centre. There was very very tight security for entering the mall. All bags are checked thoroughly and metal detectors are used. Eventually I got my sim card fixed. Now I can phone home like ET.
Then I was just cycling down the road without a destination.
I saw some road side markets. One is just like our Mongkok Sai Yeung Choi Street market, selling anything, you name it. One is just like Mongkok ‘ Women Street ’, selling fabric, manchester , garments, etc.
I am not interested in those things at all, so I went back to the sea shore and went direct to the Jaffa city again. On my way to there, I saw some cats walk around. I reckon here is their home.
I reached Jaffa and then returned the bike. And that is it.
Tomorrow I will go to Jerusalem .
And this is the half way of my trip to Israel .
Cya.
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