Last day in Tel Aviv! Nov. 3 - Saturday

Our last day in Tel Aviv, and Israel, was spent like this: on the beach. Julia is so spoiled with all those playgrounds around the city.

Saba & Julia moment I at Frishman Beach, building a castle.

A nice swim with papai in the Mediterranean Sea.

Finally an Israeli beer! Is it 11am yet? Who cares?

Beach + Beer = Beautiful!

After a siesta, we went back to the beach for a walk. This time we decided to explore the north coast of Tel Aviv, towards the port. It's definitely much busier, with lots of tourists.

This was a bit strange... At one point off the beach, we saw a couple of dozen of people - of all ages - dancing Israeli folk music. They all knew the steps to different songs. It was pretty impressive! It looked like a Flash Mob, but apparently this happens frequently.

A little bit further, a complex with a few swimming pools. We are told that they have salty water, from the sea right beside it.  It looked like it was part of a resort but it's a public area.

The beaches are small and right beside one another. It also looks like they attract different audiences. Where we were staying (Frishman Beach) was less crowded and had more families. This beach (Gordan Beach) had more tourists and young people hanging out.

A bit further there is the Hilton Beach (named after the hotel standing right there), and it's unofficial the gay beach.

This seems to be the "Dog Beach," where dogs run in and out of the water off-leashed.

And this is the Nordau Beach, a gender-segregrated beach, which has a tall woodn fence around it.

The sign explains: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday only men can swim in there, regardless of religion. On Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays, only women are allowed behind the fence. I guess Saturday - which is their day off - the beach is opened for all.

We kept going... the last beach just before the Tel Aviv port is the Mezizim Beach. It was named after one of Israel's popular films. Our friend Avi worked on it as an editor. This art on the change room wall pays tribute to a famous scene in the movie - Peeking Tom. Mezizim is a cult movie today in Israel. Every Israeli has seen it, or at least has hear of it.

The Tel Aviv Port is today another space for arts, entertainment and good food. 

This is what's left of our last Middle East meal.

Julia and Saba moment II.

Julia and Saba moment III.

Julia had so much fun playing at the playgrounds here. Because she is so social, we made tons of friends and truly had a great time. It looked like she belonged here.

Until we tried to take her home... here is an example of what she is capable of if you dare take her away from the playground and her friends.  But it didn't last that long...

Nothing like a good gelato to put a smile back on her face!
Julia and Saba moment IV.

Ok... that's it! Our trip is getting to an end. After going through many security check points outside and inside the airport, we boarded an El Al flight to Toronto at 1:30am on Sunday. Julia tried really hard to stay awake and say goodbye to Israel, but it was just too much and she collapsed on mamãe's arms just before boarding.
It was indeed a great family vacation that left a taste of "we hope to be back soon!" Good bye.