SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Israel and Estonia Part 1

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I got my act together and got my first post from my trip last week done and ready for you all. Granted, it isn't that long due to some complications, but here it is. Enjoy.

I left on a Saturday since it takes a long time to get from the West Coast to Tel Aviv, Israel. We already had a tight schedule, but then delays started happening and our trip to Tel Aviv got shorter and shorter. Our first delay was here at my home airport. When you fly into San Francisco, you are almost always delayed due to weather including rain or fog. This time it was due to massive rain storms along with wind and lightening.

We ended up on a flight that was supposed to leave an hour and a half before ours, but left an hour and 45 minutes after our original flight was supposed to. Basically, we had an hour to get from a domestic gate to the international gate and pray our luggage made it onto our Lufthansa flight. Spoiler: it did not.

We made our flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt. It was a long flight, but I watched movies including A Star is Born. How I hadn't seen it yet was beyond me, but it was soooo good. I totally understand the hype. I even watched it again on the way home a week later and then I bought the blu-ray (+ digital copy) when I landed back in the States.

Anyways, next we flew from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv. It was a long two-ish days. Once we arrived in Tel Aviv, we went to collect our baggage and they were not there. We waited and waited and nothing, so we headed to lost luggage to file a claim and find out where our luggage was. They had no idea where it was, gave us a paper and told us to keep trying a certain website for updates and that we could call the next day for an update as well.

So we headed to our hotel, checked in and then decided to go walk around to get some money and some toiletries. Luckily, there was a "pharmacy" a couple blocks away. I was able to grab a hair brush, some laundry detergent and water. Then we set out to find an atm. It took about 6 different places before we got any money. Then we headed back to the hotel to hand wash our clothes and get ready for our meetings the next day.
Hebrew Laundry Detergent

Monday we had meetings and we had to show up in our travel clothes. Not what we wanted, but at least they were clean. We used that "baby detergent" and then hair dryers to dry our clothes. Glamorous.

After our meetings, we were able to call Lufthansa to get an update. Our luggage was to arrive that night on a direct flight from SFO, but they wouldn't deliver it in time before our flight the next morning.

We headed out to Old Jaffa to walk around, sightsee a tiny bit and then grabbed dinner before heading to the airport to get our luggage.
Tel Aviv Israel
 The view from my hotel looking into the city

Tel Aviv Israel
The view looking out into the Mediterranean Sea

Old Jaffa
 Looking out towards Old Jaffa

Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea (last time I was here, I got to swim in the Mediterranean)

We got our luggage and got back to the hotel around 10 pm. I was able to actually wash my face and get ready in the morning.

Tuesday morning, we headed out to the airport at 5 am to head to Tallinn, Estonia. But first, a stop in Frankfurt. As we were landing in Tallinn, I snapped this picture and sent it to Rory with the caption "it sure does look cold here".
Tallinn Estonia

Once we had our luggage, we headed to the hotel. I unpacked a bit and headed to the gym. Once I was done, we headed out to dinner. We went to a burger place which was pretty good. Plus we paired it with some Estonian beers.

Wednesday we had meetings all day, but once we were done, I hit the gym again and then went to dinner at Tabula Rasa. This place was soooo good. They had amazing cocktails and even better food.
Tabula Rasa
 Artwork

Tabula Rasa
 This was a pork tenderloin with wine braised cabbage, grilled veggies, carrot cream, a potato cake and cranberry sauce. It was heavenly.

Tabula Rasa
 For dessert, I ordered a passionfruit cheesecake which was soooo amazing. Seriously some of the best.

They also brought us out the Napoleon Cake to try (for free) and it did not disappoint either.

The bartender also paired our meal with honey lavender old fashions. So good. It was the best. After dinner, we went to a bar around the corner to meet one of our contacts from the meeting we attended. Then we headed back to the hotel for the night.

And I will save the last two days for another post as I was able to see and do a bit more those two days.

22 comments :

  1. Two places I'm not sure I'll get to but look like they offer such delicious and stunning views!

    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

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    1. They are great places for sure. Israel is pretty amazing. I wish I had more time there like the last time I went, but at least I got to go.

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  2. I'm sorry about your luggage but glad you eventually got it. The views from your hotel look amazing! And wow that did look really cold. Sierra Beautifully Candid

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    1. It was soooo cold there, but I got to have both climates on this trip. Ha.

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  3. Another place I have never been! The food looks great! They lost my luggage on my trip to Europe and I know that is the WORST!

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    1. It is the worst since you can't easily just go and get something. Everything is more expensive and then you end up with multiples...especially toiletries.

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  4. Other than the lost luggage its looks amazing. I just want to travel with you one day.

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    1. That would be amazing! We should plan a trip together!

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  5. You had such a short visit to Tel Aviv. I like Jaffa, it's an interesting city!

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    1. I loved it too. Last time I was there a week. This time only a couple days and it wasn't spent like we planned it to be.

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  6. Your job takes you to the most wonderful destinations! I haven't been to Israel since I was 12 and I really want to go back! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. It is pretty amazing. I am sure it has changed a lot. You have traveled a ton which is amazing. I am still dying to go to Iceland!

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  7. Oh sorry to hear about the lost luggage, glad it finally showed up. Beautiful pictures.

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  8. OK - so you just made my need to see A Star is Born go up even higher!!!
    Look at that hotel view... I could sit & stare for hours with a view like that, watching the world

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    1. I had wanted to see it so badly and it was worth it. You need to watch it! I wanted to sit and look at that view all day.

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  9. That is just the coolest place and so neat that you were there just looking at the Mediterranean Sea!! You know, no big deal! Haha.

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    1. Haha. I thought about that and realized how many seas and oceans I have seen. I still have a ton more to go, but it is sooo cool to check those off my list!

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  10. So sorry about your luggage. That’s really cool you were right along the Mediterranean Sea. Sounds like a short but fun time there! Yes A Star is Born is soooooo good!

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  11. Ughh, travel complications can be so frustrating, but it sounds like you made the best of it! You got some amazing pictures, too. That food looks incredible! So fun to try dishes all around the world.

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  12. That really stinks about your luggage - luckily it was just the one day! Estonia sounds awesome - especially the food!

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  13. Losing my luggage is one of my fears when flying! That hotel view is very pretty and that food looks delish.

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