... because of sunsets over the Mediterranean

I'm in a bit of a hurry this weekend, but still I managed to go for a sunset watching bicycle ride last evening. And was I glad that I did! Tel Aviv port and the promenade are getting crowded these warm May weekend evenings (what a contrast from this winter evening!), but still not as crowded as it gets in the summer. The breeze is nice and calm, and the sunset is breathtaking. Posting this quick capture for Sky Watch Friday and Weekend Reflections. Have a great weekend everyone!

... when walking along the beach with a friend from far away

Hilton beach in Tel Aviv

Sveta and I are friends for a long time, since we first arrived to Israel in the 90's. Shortly after we came here, we went to different schools, and almost never lived in the same city: I moved to Tel Aviv, she remained in Jerusalem, and then, a few years back, moved to Toronto with her family. All these years we never met frequently, maybe once a year, and we didn't really talked that much in between. But each time we meet, we immediately reconnect and feel like we remain close friends, albeit the distance. At least I know that I do :)

This week she is visiting Israel with her husband and her baby daughter, and it was so exciting to see her again in Tel Aviv! Among my friends, Sveta is the one who shares the most my love to Tel Aviv beaches, and usually our walks along the beach are as long as the time permits.

Today we met in Tel Aviv port (a good meeting place, with decent amount of parking lots around!), in Tzomet Sfarim bookstore. This is one of my favorite bookstores in the whole city: it's really big, with nice art and English books sections, and there is a cafe on the second floor. You can read a book, drink coffee, and watch the sea and the port crowd... perfection.

We took the promenade southward, walked by Metzizim beach (here's my older post about it) and the segregated beach, the narrow Sheraton beach and Tel Aviv Marina and Gordon swimming pool, and then took our shoes off and walked on the sand by the water all the way till Banana beach, one of my favorites. Like on many Tel Aviv beaches, there is a cafe right on the sand of Banana beach, with small tables, plastic chairs, and green sunshade umbrellas. It serves a non-sophisticated, but really nice food, like salads, sandwiches and omelets, and the view is incomparable...

This was a perfect walk and a perfect day, only slightly tainted by the fact that I forgot to put on some sunblock (such a rookie mistake!), and got sunburned. This will serve as a reminder that the summer is here. The summer is here! I love summer in Tel Aviv...

The summer is here, and the skies are spotless in Tel Aviv. Take a look at Sky Watch Friday for skies and beautiful views all over the world.

P.S.: I've created a map of some of the places that I'm mentioning in the blog - AKA my favorite Tel Aviv spots, including today's walk milestones. Take a look and use it for your Tel Aviv explores!

P.P.S.: it has been a long pause in the posting... sometimes stuff gets in a way, and makes me forget how much fun this is :)

... from roofs of Montmartre

Quick post of Montmartre roofs as seen from the window of the apartment we're renting in Paris this weekend. Sure, you need to climb 10 flights of stairs to get here ;-) but the view is completely worth it!

(We've found this cool apartment via Airbnb - I've mentioned this great site a few months ago.)

Visit Sky Watch Friday to see skies from around the world...