Eilat

Fri. 5 AM-
Note to self: Do not throw Ipod across the room when alarm sounds.
The sherut comes at 5:45 to pick me up along with Mom and Dad (they got here Tues.) to take us to Ben Gurion airport. However the sherut drops us off at the wrong terminal and before we know where we are- takes off in his taxi. Such is Israel. We wait for the shuttle bus and take it to terminal 1 where we arrive early enough to wait in line for the security check for Arkia airlines. This is one of the few lines I have seen here. People don't wait it line or stand in line and everyone pushes to get ahead. While I have been in Israel enough times that I have grown accustomed to this; it angers my mother to no end. Although I think she will slap the pushy Israeli lady edging her luggage in front of ours- in the face she manages to let it go and buys two bottled waters from the vending machine. I forget that I haven't traveled with my parents for a long time and am pretty certain its been nearly 12 years- since our family trip to Costa Rica.
Anyhow finally Arkia opens up their gates and we go through security and then to the check in counter. There are lots of teenagers on the flight-including 8 boys who look like the just saw every episode of the Jersey Shore and then went out to buy Pauly D's wardrobe. I begin to wonder if Eilat is just an Israeli version of Cancun.
It is a short flight- only 45 minutes and I sleep for twenty of them. Upon arrival we take the complimentary hotel shuttle to Isrotel Agammim - a short 5 min. drive. Although the hotel isn't directly on the beach it is close enough and more affordable. The pool is absolutely stunning and reminds me of some of the hotel pools in Vegas. Dad takes a nap and Mom and I set out to explore. We walk over to the beach. sit for a bit and put our feet in the ultra blue clear clean water. We hop in and out of different hotels looking at their lobbies and swimming pools and wander into a few stores. Eilat is a great town and we are both glad that we made the trek even though many people said not to come because it is "just a resort."
Back at the hotel we grab Dad and take him to the Underwater Aquarium. There is an enjoyable movie about the coral reef in Eilat and the seats move like a mini ride. Some of the museum is under water and mostly glass and that part is really cool. We also visit the sea turtles and the shark pool. Afterwards we head to a beach just a bit south of the aquarium and go snorkeling in the Red Sea. There are some cool looking fish and coral. We hang out at the beach for a bit and then head over to the mall in Eilat so Dad can get comfortable walking shoes for Petra. He finds some solid Nike's and we split a grape slushie. Yum.
We walk back to the hotel and even though we get a little lost the beautiful scenery and the fantastic day make up for it. We are exhausted though and in bed and asleep by 930 or so. Tomorrow is another early day.