Tim & Denise Tiner Travels: 2015 Israel - Day 1 & Day 2 (Flights to Tel Aviv and Bus Ride to Hotel)

November 16th & 17th,,,,

Day one began very early for me on our travels to Tel Aviv, Israel. You would think, knowing that I have a ticket in hand, that I would sleep better. But unfortunately, I was up walking the house at 3 AM. I remembered that I had not loaded my IPAD with movies and stuff. So I did that then went back to bed hoping to get some sleep. But I just laid there pondering the day. Denise...she slept quite well. Made me jealous.

We arrived at the SLC Airport around 7 AM. We left our car at the Economy Lot so Ashley and her friends could pick it up and drive it home after they arrive from Orlando. I hope she finds it. We took pictures and such to text her to help out.

It was good to see neighbors and friends at the airport and to know that we would be traveling with them. Everyone seemed quite excited for this adventure. It was also good to see Mark Faldmo there waiting for us to direct us through checkin and avoiding the baggage fees for checked luggage..since we were going internationally even though our reservations were two fold...SlLC to LAX .... then LAX to JFK to Tel Aviv.

Our flight to LAX went as scheduled. It was exciting to see Fred and Khrista there already and waiting at our gate. Our layover was about 4.5 hours...so we had time to visit with everyone, especially Khrista and Fred. Since none of us had checked in for the LAX to JFK to Tel Aviv flight yet, we had to go to customer service to do that. The funny thing was that our big group caused their system fits to validate that we indeed had passports and to issue us boarding passes. I think it took well over an hour waiting for them to get their system online to do that. But it finally worked out.

Our flight to JFK left at 2 PM (on time). It was a 4.5 hour flight that seemed like 12! But we were just beginning. The only thing to comment on this flight that was interesting was about half way through the flight, Denise leans over to me and says 'there is a dog under my feet!'. I responded...'What?' Sure enough, there was a little dog under her feet. A lady 6 rows up had a little dog that we noticed boarding the plane with her. But that was kind of far. Nonetheless, I thought it must be her dog so I turned on the flight attendant buzzer. Naturally, no one came. But doing this (and messing with the dog), the fellow sitting next to Denise woke up and asked what was going on. When Denise explained, he said, "That's my dog.". We had no idea he had a little dog tucked underneath is seat next to him. That gave us a good laugh.

We arrived on time to JFK and quickly walked down to our next flight...which was quite close. Although we were there 1.5 hours before departure. They were already boarding. We first thought that this was not our plane. But they then announced that they were boarding this flight early due to extra security measures being taken. They took us into another room and screened our bags....just like they do at TSA with your carry on bags. Security is a little tighter when flying over there. The flight to Tel Aviv left on time (midnight EST) with an arrival time of 5 PM (Israel time)...9 hours and 45 minute flight. We are in the cheap seats, very crowded. Sleeping is going to be a challenge. Oh well...we'll get through it. Denise is doing well with her knee and all. All this sitting and not moving is not good. But so far...all is well.

I am typing this from our hotel in a town north of Tel Aviv...Netanya. It is right on the Mediterranean coast. Our hotel is on the beach and we can hear the waves crashing. It is a bit rainy and windy...but not too cool. Really nice.

The flight was long...but both Denise and I did get some sleep. The gal next to me lives in Miami but is from Israel. She slept and cried most of the trip. I asked her what was going on. She was flying over there, most likely to say good bye to her mother who went in for surgery for a small brain bleed fix...and has yet to wake up. Very critical condition. She was in a bit of shock to think her mother, 61 years old, might be leaving mortality much quicker than planned. I really felt bad for her.

Upon arriving in Tel Aviv, we passed through customs fairly quickly, hit some ATM machines to get some Sheckles and then on to a bus to go to our hotel. We actually have two guides...one who is from Israel and overseeing the tour bus. The other is our fellow from the US who will give us a Mormon perspective as we travel. Both are very knowledgeable...both fight for microphone time. It is going to be interesting.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we headed to our rooms. It was very well organized. After getting situated, we went downstairs for a nice buffet dinner. Food was really good. Following that, we went into a conference room for an hour of explaining the events of tomorrow. We have to be up by 6 AM, fed and on the bus by 7:30 AM. It is kind of sad...as this hotel would be nice for a couple of nights in order to be able to enjoy the ocean. You know how I am about the sea! Kind of a bummer!

Until tomorrow.......

Already tired travelers...and we have not left SLC yet! :-)