Fifty-two lucky “Esralites” boarded the bus to Eilat for a three-day fun-filled excursion to the Laguna Hotel.  We were in fact over sixty people, as the rest made their way by themselves to join us there.

On the way we visited the interesting Mamshit Nabatean City of Memphis (no relation to Elvis) and then stopped in the Maktesh Gadol Crater in the Negev where we were surrounded by geological formations of gradient colors and hues.

We settled into the hotel and everyone began to enjoy themselves as this hotel is “all in” which means that delicious food is offered three times a day, with beer, wine and spirits thrown in.

The next morning, after breakfast (all you can eat again), we went to the Birding Center, and were treated to an excellent lecture by a young scientist, Noam, who explained the intricacy of flight patterns of migratory birds from all over Europe, east and west, and how they stop to eat in Eilat before continuing en route to Africa.  Afterwards, we went to a store selling every kind of seeds, grains and nuts, even down to a shampoo made organically from flowers.  What a great time we had purchasing and trying out the different flavors.  We then visited the Eilat Museum depicting the growth of the city from three wooden huts in 1949 to the now 60,000 citizens.

Monday evening we went to WOW, and the show didn’t disappoint, with breathtaking acrobatics, and a spectacular evening was enjoyed by all.

Next day we were off again to see Eilat old and new, and it was really gratifying to see new villas and apartment buildings springing up, which means the town is thriving.

A boat trip all around the bay of Eilat was next, and to our delight we saw three dolphins splashing and playing in the Dolphin Reef.

On our way home on the following day, we visited Kfar Raphael which is a village for adults with special needs.  This mentally-challenged group has a foster home where they have a home life and gain work experience by working in Kfar Raphael’s cottage industries, of loom-weaving, basket-weaving, stationery, jam and candle production.  Members of this group have managed against all odds to have as normal a life as they can, and are self-sufficient in their village, even down to baking bread every day and doing daily laundry work so they are doing everything for themselves and not relying on outside help.  Kudos to the foster parents and the dedicated staff who guide them in their lives.  Young soldiers doing voluntary service also take a year to help there.  It’s a remarkable place and well worth the visit.

Our thanks to Lyn and Audrey for their hard work in organizing this holiday, to our guide, Tuvia, for making our trip so entertaining, and to Itzik, our driver, for ferrying us safely to and from Eilat.