Akko, Rosh Hanikra and Monforte Hike - January 29,2019

Another great day!  We arrived at the JNF Visitor's Center located, in an 100 year old building,  at the entrance to the famous, historic Akko market.  

This  new tourist information center to provide visitors with information on where to go, what to do and where to stay in the Western Galilee.  Its intent is increase tourism in the Western Galilee area.  Beautifully displayed information.  Neil, our guide,  explained the history of this amazing place. 

We walked through the colorful shuk, passing the fresh fish, aromatic spices and fresh fruits a vegetables.  The strawberries were amazing.  Neil has us   taste some of the local sweets! 

ROSH HANIKRA

On to beautiful Grottoes in Rosh Hanikra on the border with Lebanon.  The large crevices, clefts, and tunnels have been carved by the waves pounding the soft limestone cliff.  There is also a train tunnel located at the site that was built by the British ANZAC forces Australia New Zealand Armoured Corps during World Was II to for transporting supplies and people from Turkey to Egypt. 

We took a cable car to the top and meandered through the path with the breath taking views of the Mediterranean Sea's waves splashing against the rocks.  Before leaving we all walked up to the border for a view.  All very peaceful.  

Montforte Fortress 

Today began with Crusader sites and ended with one of the most spectacular - Montforte.  






We arrived in JNF's Goren Park,  a natural oak forest, which is very rare to find in Israel.  Park has many hiking and walking trails, picnic areas and even an amphitheater for summer concerts. 


As we made our way through the trails we discover many colorful spring flowers hidden among the rocks.  Spring is in the air here!  


We continued our walk until we came to the observation area which overlooks a small river  and the most beautiful view was that of Montforte.  This large Crusader fort was built at the beginning of the 12th century.  We wondered how they got the materials there!  In recent excavations, they have found a ballroom.  Great place for the Crusaders to hang out! 

What a fantastic CAARI Day!

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Visit to Hand and Hand School

 By Pearl: Monday afternoon, CAARI visited and an impressive  school where Jewish and Arab children learn together in both languages.  There are six of these schools in Israel.  The parents are also heavily involved in the daily education of their children.  This  daily interaction between them requires buy in from children teachers and parents,   When this concept was conceived the only  model they could work from was the Quebec model,   In the school of 250 students, today consisting of  60% Arab 40% Jewish. Students , from grade 1 - 6, come from towns and cities in the area. 

We were divided into 2 groups and students took us around and proudly explained their projects.   This was followed by a talk by the assistant Principal.  The non profit organization Hand in Hand support the school which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.  Very enlightening experience.  

Baking Seminar and visit to Hand and Hand School

See pictures - story to follow. Bakers at work

The Music Box Museum

By Marcia:CAARI group left Tel Aviv on Sunday morning for more adventures in the north. In the afternoon we stopped at the Music Box Museum, with an unusual collection of machines which make music, some dating back to the late 1800s.  Nissan, the owner and collector of these treasures, showed them with great pride as he demonstrated how the music was produced, from fine quality Swiss music boxes to a Steinway player piano. 
Nissan explained the original Edison phonograph and  how the vibrations were etched onto a wax cylinder and reproduced to make sound. (May not be exactly accurate, but you get the picture!) Nissan traveled extensively and found some of the music machines in Europe and Africa.  A family in Belgium needed to find a good home for the large and beautiful music machine.  It was shipped in pieces and re-assembled in the Museum.
When the music played, we saw the figures in action.  The Conductor, centre, moved his baton up and down, while the two ladies at the side hit their bells in time to the music.
There was also a traditional juke box with some great songs from the 40s and 50s.
As they say, “It was music to my ears...”

CAARI's Northern Tour - January 31, 2019 Caeserea

Friends, Romans, countryman - we are in Casearea!

CAARI takes us to "must see sites" and hidden gems'!  

Yes, we are on a holiday, hafsaka, a break, as they say in Hebrew in Israel.  After 2 weeks of fulfilling community service and tours and speakers in Tel Aviv we took off for a few days in the North.  Our weather continues to be beautiful, if fact, Saturday temperatures were in the mid 70’s. 

We drove north along the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea. Our first stop was the amazing excavations of the ancient port city Caesarea built by King Herod, spanning the Roman and Crusader Period.    Neil explained that this was one of the first time cement was used on such a large scale, an engineering marvel.  King Herod, a master builder, built many palaces in the Middle East, including  Herodian, which we will be visiting while in Jerusalem. Casarea was a man made port the largest in the anicent east.

Although, much of the port is now under water, many of the buildings have been uncovered reflecting the lavish lifestyle of the era.  Even today, the ancient Roman theater is used for concerts by leading Israeli musicians.  We stopped at the ruins of King Herod’s palace with its magnificent mosaic floors.  On to the Hippodrome,  remains of Roman streets, the Crusader Port and the newly uncovered excavations.  No matter when you visit Caesarea it is a archaeological wonder!

CAARI COOKS! Culinary Class

CAARI COOKS! 

Oh, yes we do!  Late the afternoon, we drove to South Tel Aviv to the Dan Gourmet Culinary  School.  For several years, CAARI has been enjoying culinary classes at this wonderful facility with the best chefs!


The huge kitchen has individual stations for all of us to work.  Chef Michael Katz was our instructor last year and again this year.  This year we are cooked an Italian menu, Israeli style using local ingredients.



Katz first gave us a few tips like chopping garlic, grating whole tomatoes and slicing zucchini to make a delicious Carpaccio.   debone and chicken leg! Perhaps, the most difficult was learning

We divided into two teams and began our assignments for the arugula & tomato salads, Carpaccio,  chicken on a skewer, eggplant risotto, focaccia,  and open lasagna.  But…before we began cooking, we began with a little wine and chocolate.  Isn’t that how Julia Child began her culinary classes? 

We chopped, cut, sliced, grilled, stirred and came out with an amazing dinner for us to enjoy. A special treat was the Strawberries with rose water zabayon made by Michael.  

Another great day!