Tag Archives: Louis the Scooterer

Scooterer Stories, Part Fourteen – Furthest point North

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By Louis the Scooterer

Well we had another good night sleep at Kare Deshe… okay so after watching sunrise and eat breakfast,
we make a quick getaway..quick stop to take pics at ruins close by and head directly for the snow

Another quick stop at Arik Bridge over the River Jordan (old wooden bridge).. and a fairly long drive for a quick stop at Saar Falls to take pics. We won’t have coffee here but I just wanna pop in to say hi to Benny..he is the young fellow who served me a coffee way back on the day the restaurant opened, and he suggested I look into TKR. Benny thanks for that advice. I have had a (total knee replacement) for some time now, and sure walk better than on the day we met..when I could hardly walk the few meters from the car to the door.

From here .. only one major stop on the way. At Newe Ativ.. a tiny village (moshav) that could be in Switzerland..many chalet style buildings and everything geared towards skiing . ( Neve Ativ actually controls the ski site as well). Then while there, we’ll find somewhere to drink coffee and ask about the place..(and I can tell you quickly about my previous visits).

Almost every home is geared for bed n breakfast accomodation, and a few (family) hotels are also operating, ( and looks and feels as if we are in Switzerland or Austria !..) We take the coffee in the dining lounge at a small hotel while the manager, a young Druze fellow gave many explanations about Druze people and customs..elaborating on his sister’s upcoming wedding.

Freezing cold and bright sunshine…Lets move ..and we join a long line of traffic including many buses to the ski site..winding scenic road with much snow all around. We get in at the main entrance and leave our car in the giant parking lot,

and board a shuttle bus to the ski site..excitement mounts as we get closer…then a walk of a few hundred meters to the main area where coffeeshops, eateries and ski and equipment hire, and all sorts of action that happens at a ski site.

As Louis the scooterer, I wrote a story, telling about my first visit to Mt Hermon ski site..and later visits too, and what a contrast of visits they have been.

(That story)

My first visit to the ski site was on a HOT summer day, and I didn’t know what to expect.

I scootered through the village Majdal e Shams way up north (close to border with Syria), then to the ski site, up the scenic road, and far below in the valley I saw cattle “drinking” from a dry-looking, round, muddy “water” place, and the whole area was dry and similar to the desert.

I rode through the deserted entrance and passed the empty very large car-park, and after a short scenic ride, arrived at the ski-site. I was the only person there, besides some maintenance workers who are there every day, doing a whole lot of different work. I was very happy when the ski chairs started and I was allowed to go up to the highest point.(Note..I never had a camera at that visit) I was the only person on the system that has 175 chairs all 2 seaters, and I saw only stones and BIG rocks and shrubs and uneven mountainside beneath me (all dry).

At the top, a few engineers were doing some electrical installations and invited me to eat lunch with them. They explained a whole lot of interesting facts to me. I walked around, and as all the facilities were shut, after a while, I took the chairlift down. A few people were going up, so we shouted “helloooo.. and where are you from?” “Germany… and have a nice day.” Then they were gone, and I was at the bottom. A quick coffee and thank you to some office staff and I was on my way, knowing that I’d be back.

So my next visit was when there was plenty of snow on Mt Hermon and in a rented car. I saw the full water hole, far down in the valley, now many meters wide and full of water, and the nearby hills had some snow (certainly no “desert look” this time). Hundreds of vehicles and buses were arriving, and after paying at the entrance, I was guided to park the car in the giant car-park nearby, then to go in shuttle-buses to the ski-site; a quick and very neat operation, I must admit.

This time there were thousands of people hustling and bustling and slipping and sliding everywhere and queuing in long lines for the many things to do at a ski place. It was marvelous to watch many people enjoying themselves, and I was lucky to find a short queue at one cafeteria to get coffee (and I wasn’t so clever by leaving my camera in the car).

I had a few casual chats and a few laughs with total strangers, and I was told this snow was the best in a long time, but the queue at chairlift was too long. Long lines were everywhere, so I left, having decided to return again the following week.

One week later… while on my way to the ski site on a lovely rainy day, I was told at the petrol-station near Tiberias, that the roads to the ski-site were closed, and at this time the heavy rain had also set in. So, another visit, another time.

So now comes the most recent, highly successful visit in perfect weather, nice and early, blue and white sky, and not many cars in the giant car park. This time (with camera in hand), I walked to all the favorite spots where many visitors with many cameras take many pictures. I also spoke to many “professional-looking” skiers, who unashamedly told me that they were there for the first time in borrowed ski-outfits, and that were waiting for their first ski-lesson.

All the amenities were rapidly getting long lines waiting to hire boots and skis and ski clothes and all very exciting. I had done some skiing years earlier, but a problem knee this day prevented me from that. I took a lovely fresh ride up on the two-seater chair lift, and after a few minutes was at the highest point, mainly for the more experienced skiers.

There are breathtaking views. Still, the coffee shop and restaurant were inviting and I had great satisfaction watching people of all sizes and shapes, even many men with full beards also giving skiing a go, then I took the chair lift down.

The queues were getting longer and the place buzzed with excitement. An assortment of big vehicles that move the snow were around, as well as many tough looking fellows who wear skiing outfits and know what they are doing.

After some more visits to several coffee places and a lovely snack served by a pretty girl, then sitting relaxing in the sun on the sundeck and taking a few more pictures, I guess that successful visit was worthwhile.

When you decide to visit, don’t forget to ask for some excellent colorful brochures, and in the large cafeteria ask for a “paper place-mat” that has cartoon drawings of the full scene.

When I left, and the snow got thinner on the hills and the air warmed up as I traveled away, I again had the feeling that I would return.

OKAY all of you , go and do your thing and we will meet at the snowman in 4 hours.. Oh, so you all have sore bums..from skiing ! oh well, next time it will be easier. Get comfortable while we take the shuttle to the parking and find our car.

A short drive back into Majdal e shams and a quick coffee at coffeeshop next to the filling station, where the owner told us about the difference between a village and town status..sure was interesting.

We will take the back road out for a longish drive..and I think this short-cut will get us to the main road..Hey whats that sign ? did anybody see it ..Naah !..lemme reverse.. the sign says ” Witch and milkmaid” pointing up..lets take a look.. we follow the few signs and drive into a small fenced area and see what looks like a restaurant..lets go look..when we found the back parking lot we see it is a restaurant…lets go see..okay..WOW what a surprise,

A lovely warm place, and looking thru picture windows at the fantastic views down in front of us…I suggested we have a hot home-made vegetable soup with brown bread..and that warms us quickly.

We learn there are 18 homes on this small moshav http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_(Israel) and many of the wooden houses are for rent for holiday..take a look at www.witch.co.il (although only Hebrew) still play around on all the words to see some pictures and the incredible views.

Then we need to move to get to Kuneitra before sunset to be able to see something of that mysterious place..an entire village stands empty and no movement within. A large United Nations complex below us does not permit casual visitors.

The chap inside the small food kiosk spoke no English so I suggest google to Kuneitra and choose a story to read also see a quick explanation at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/kuneitra.html

The sun sets quickly and early, and on the drive to Kare Deshe we can discuss the next trip..perhaps find a number of bridges that the Jordan River flows under, and at least one that the river runs over the bridge..and to find the “Aunties Bridge”.. where a few older ladies who did charitable volunteering were drowned in a flood,(they were known as “the aunties”) and the bridge was washed away and never rebuilt.

Soon the roads will be very busy, many vehicles heading home or for entertainment places..and we arrive back at our hostel..NO running around this night..all our backsides need a rest.

Feel free to email louisdrinkingt@013.net

Scooterer Stories, Part Ten – Route 6 to Elvis

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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 Ten – Not Route 66, just Route 6, but at least there’s an Elvis.

Driving thru major cities and heavily populated areas do have some interesting places, but I reckon boredom could set in…so a quick discussion with myself, it is decided we will bypass those places and head toward Jerusalem and bypass to road 90 at the north end of The Dead Sea…and then will head NORTH ON 90. Then to much more exciting places. So now, I take the shortest route and get to Highway 6 (Kvish 6) to experience a short portion of that excellent highway.

I wrote a story elsewhere about that experience and its worth repeating here while we stop for a while at Herzl Forest and a quick visit to Engineering Forces Monument ( the highway story is told to you now while we take a coffee break…on the lawns at the monument.

Kvish 6 = Highway 6

Once, way back in the past – when I was still new to scootering – I remember vaguely having read something about an “Across Israel” (Highway 6) that was being built to be called Kvish 6. Then sometime later I read a sentence somewhere that the first 18 kilometers were ready and would be opened on some date or other. So, one day while scootering around, I came upon a road that was freshly tarred and was newly painted with pure white lines (being a new onramp >>> onto a new road).

So I asked a man in a van, “what is happening here?” He told me that Road 6 would be opening — in about 10 minutes, and IF I hung around I would be the first person to drive on it! About 10 minutes later, he told me to go!

The FIRST motor vehicle on the new highway was “me on my scooter”, going south…. no fanfare, no fuss, no cutting ribbons (this onramp was near Eyal Kibbutz. I rode those 18 kms on this beautiful, clean, smooth, well-built road with absolutely NO TRAFFIC. Later, one car went past me, and also an official “Road 6” patrol van.

So, all too soon I rode that 18 kms and went off at the new off ramp pointing to Rosh Ha’ayin, and rode to a coffee shop at a petrol station to drink a cup of coffee.

Then, about 30 minutes later, I decided to do the 18 kms going north….

NOW, this gets interesting… coz the new onramp is at the Head Offices of Kvish 6, and here was a big media event, TV people with cameras, newspaper people with cameras, many people with cameras… (except me, I never had a camera). There was a big party going on at the offices.

Many important dignitaries attended the “official opening”, and the “first drive,” which is from the office block going north — to the Eyal off ramp ~~> 18 kms.

I scooted in to the parking area and a woman ran up to me telling me “to get on the bus quickly, it’s waiting for me” (she thought I was a reporter from a newspaper). I soon sorted that out. So, I went into the lobby at the offices, a very posh affair with many people wearing suits.

I was given an orange juice and a cookie and a couple of maps, then someone told me I must leave… So a few minutes later I scootered on to the new 6 going ~~> north.

I noticed a few buses, many cars and vans and other vehicles were following me… as though I was the escort. After a short distance, all those vehicles overtook me and I guess I was at “the right-place at the right moment.”

I have since traveled several times on this beautiful, well planned, well built, well looked after, Kvish 6 highway, and also recently completed, now has two new twin filling-station-rest-rooms-shopping-complex on BOTH sides of the highway…. one way down south and the other up north. IT IS A DRIVING PLEASURE.

So I say…”Well done” and keep on adding new sections, and every time a new section was completed, I took a scoot to ride on it. The costs for a scooter are very little and I always feel safe riding on clean, litter-free roads. And all my trips have been in daylight hours.

A couple of times there were queries about the account that I received, but they were always solved by very pleasant personnel. I learned that much of the processes are automatically done to completion by computers, and the bill is clear and straightforward.

We need to squeeze a couple of hours visit to MINI ISRAEL…worth every minute and much more…all the model buildings and buses and trucks and soccer stadium and ports and cable-cars…and everything in Israel that is major importance is there in miniature….no problem with parking at the entrance, and obtaining a small electric golf cart to travel around in…Mini Israel is open on Saturdays, and is usually crowded so if you can manage during the week…better still.

Another couple of hours minimum is a must visit to the Armoured Brigade Military Museum at LATRUN where all sorts of armoured vehicles and tanks and many assorted vehicles of war that were captured from the enemies..during several wars. Pay an entrance fee and get some brochures, a movie in English explains and knowledgeable guides take you around and explain many things. (CLOSED ON SATURDAYS)… altho many captured vehicles can be seen if you drive a few hundred meters on the side road to the end of the fence. As usual, walking shoes and cameras always.

A short visit to the Monastery close by and a visit inside if you like climbing many steps…some days there are open air markets and food kiosks in the carpark.

Of course plan your day to visit NEWE SHALOM, close to Latrun, a neighbourhood where Israeli and Arab live side by side. A quick stop at the hotel lobby for some good brochures and then take a slow drive (or even a walk) through the streets and see what can be achieved.

Then we kadimah (move forward) coz our new journey has only just begun.

We pick-up route #1 and head toward Jerusalem..and at junction at Abu Ghosh we make a detour and head for ELVIS INN…this delightful restaurant that remains furnished in Elvis Presley times and hundreds of photos on the walls are a reminder as we sit at a table with Elvis Presley, and his music is always in the background. Excellent service from a small snack to a full meal, and if you drink a coffee, you get to take the mug as a souvenir.

I must mention the incredible toilets that cater for many tour buses that stop there. Outside in the carpark are many Elvis reminders including a magnificent “gold” statue of “The King Of Rock n Roll)..this is a “must” visit.

As we may start our day very early and finish very late, I’m not suggesting sleeping time but for the record I have slept over several times at Yitzchak Rabin Youth hostel…which is nicely placed for restaurants and for leaving the city without being snarled in traffic.

So, after Elvis Inn we stay on #1 and travel east til we get to #90…with a few short stops on the way to take pictures. 6 stops for 5 minutes each should be enough….you will decide what pics you want,
and at the end of #1 we coffeesnack at the same place we were at on an earlier time. We look at our mapatlas and plan our trip north on #90.

(Very much more exciting than driving thru built-up areas surrounded by highrise buildings and shopping malls).

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