Israel

I've just returned from a two week trip to Israel. Despite some pre-trip apprehension, the news was pretty full of the tensions in the country, I didn't face or become aware of any problems during my stay. Life seemed to be carrying on pretty normally, both on the beach and in the city. Unpleasant happenings were certainly taking place; the day after we arrived a car ramming on the Tel Aviv sea front sadly killed one Italian tourist. By coincidence we walked along the very same spot a few days later and the area was full of families strolling and picnicking on the grass. It was Passover, an important religious and for many, not so religious holiday period.

Photographically it's a wonderful place of course and while I enjoyed the classic sights such as the old city of Jerusalem, it was many of the newer developments that particularly attracted me. Superb weather gave superb light and no more so than during a visit to the old port area of Tel Aviv. Now a trendy restaurant and shopping area the minimal seaside board-walk was a dream.