Tag Archives: Be’er Sheva

Scooterer Stories – Part Nine – North to Ashdod

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By Louis the Scooterer

The travels of Louis the Scooterer, a retired former South African who has found an unusual way of getting to know Israel.

Part Nine – North to Ashkelon and Ashdod

Eventually we leave Be’er Sheva and head north, decisions decisions ! Do we go on 31 and visit some places then on to 40 and north or do we go on 25 to north by the coastal route? Then on a future trip (a long way in the future) come back via 40, lets toss a coin., okay we go 25, so lets go.

We stop after a few minutes at Lon Park and drink a coffee under a tree, then again after a few minutes drive we are at a small airfield where a few private small planes are in the air, doing their thing. There are no facilities for visitors and we watch for a few minutes and chat with one pilot / owner, but he was anxious to fly and not to talk, and we continue and drive through a few moshavim with NO signs for coffeshop.

I must mention (again), that not in every place will be people walking around looking to make conversation with a stranger scooterer. I may drive thru and see some interesting “things” and put-on my “imagination cap” while I may watch workers in a field or some road construction or whatever.

I can safely say there are always things to see, then when I meet and talk to a person, that is a bonus. When they invite me to their home to drink a coffee, and they show me places nearby to visit, that is a double-bonus and happens ( but not frequently enough)

Also I need to use my common sense, like one time I asked a group of picnickers why they chose that particular place ?, I was invited to join in the Barmitzva barbeque, AND after a few minutes every adult guest was interested in what I did and where I went, and they ignored the Barmitzva Boy. I felt awfully guilty and said my goodbyes, but they would not let me go before they packed food and drinks for me, enough for 6 people.

ALSO a point to mention, if the main gate at the entrance to a moshav or a kibbutz is locked., (on a Saturday)..that means the place is inhabited by religious families, and you can park the vehicle at the main gate and walk to the place you are visiting.

Picture: Leaving Be’er Sheva at sunset. Roof of car in foreground

So, after our coffee at Lon Park we continue and pass several regional schools and agricultural farms where many hours would be needed for a simple visit, so we need to pass by and shortly we arrive at Yad Mordechai shopping mall with an excellent restaurant where we need a snack and coffee, and can purchase ornaments and spend a little time browsing around, also has a lovely nursery to buy plants and shrubs.

The Kibbutz Yad Mordechai is a few hundred meters further along and has a marvellous museum, ( again a few hours needed). Also time needed to watch the bees producing honey.

We pick-up route 4 and a short stop at a tiny neighbourhood called Bat Hadar which has a petrol station, and the owner told us to drive past the country club which has  a beautiful swimming pool.

A few minutes later we drive into Ashkelon, which has some lovely beaches and of course is a town with parks and gardens and needs many hours, so we force ourselves to take a few pictures, and drive on to Ashdod which has a major port and beaches and a marina and some amazing buildings for pictures.

And no matter how long we stay, it is never enough, and soon we will again be heading north….again….
and with my one front tooth I say..bye for now.

Picture: Alpaca farm just outside Mitzpe Ramon

Louis the Scooterer is 69 years old and it sounds like he’s just getting started.

Scooterer Stories – Part Eight – Be’er Sheva

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Scooterer Stories
By Louis the Scooterer

The travels of Louis the Scooterer, a retired former South African who has found an unusual way of getting to know Israel.

Part Eight – Beer Sheva

We leave Arad on 31, and pass Arad Park and Tel Arad, and after travelling past several Bedouin areas and also seeing many camels on side of the road, we take a short detour into MEITAR, but my friends were not at home, so, I rode around a beautiful big park, and saw nice villas and homes with gardens, and after a while I rode out through tree line boulevard to the main road.

A quick ride through Omer neighbourhood that has many sculptures, new sports fields and much general development, and a unique industrial site with many sculptures. Then a visit to Tel Be’er Sheva archeological sites that has much uphill climbing and good views.

I did not visit the village of TEL SHEVA, but later I learned that many important festivities and celebrations happen there. (See google for interesting events).

I have been to Beer Sheva several times, and every time I find much of interest. My main HIGHLIGHT is the Airforce Museum just on north end, and that needs at least 1/2 day, with much to see, including videos inside a giant plane turned into a “cinema”, and many guided tours with explanations about the different aircraft. Also many good brochures are available.

In the center of Be’er Sheva I saw through the corner of my eye, a most unusual shape building, being (NACE) College of Engineering, where I was taken on a personal guided tour by the vice principal who gave many interesting explanations. Also needs time to look carefully at many pictures that represent optical illusions. I sat a while in quiet surroundings, inside the building and also in the gardens.

There is a large industrial area with large supermakets and stores of all types, and also many coffee shops and excellent eating places.

A few very interesting monuments are around the city and should plan to visit them all for a few minutes to take pictures. There are many small parks with benches in the shade, but dont spend too much time just sitting around.

I have also been a couple of times by train to Be’er Sheva, to spend many hours in the “Old City” and when I choose to stay over, I always spend nights at IYHA, ( Israel Youth Hostel Assoc.) An excellent information department is at Abrahams Well ( a must visit),where interesting videos are shown about the areas, and take brochures. I say its a good idea is to leave the car in the car park and walk to the Bedouin open market, OR walk to the “Old City”, or to the market (souk).

Thursday is BEDOUIN OPEN MARKET day, a “must see”, so anyone planning to visit should try to do on Thursday. I repeat there is much to see in Be’er Sheva, and also take a drive through the new developments, and see spectacular high rise apartments surrounded by beautiful parks and childrens playgrounds, right next to old historical buildings and old mosques and old railway station buildings.
Not to forget a visit to the new developments on east side of Be’er Sheva. There are also many small “memorial parks” and dont be shy to ask the locals some questions about anything unusual you may see.

Of course you will visit the municipal offices in the center of the city to obtain a map, then take a coffee at one of the many coffee shops in the new open air walking mall, where many official offices and departments are situated…dont forget good walking shoes and your camera.

Louis the Scooterer is 69 years old and it sounds like he’s just getting started.