Eilat

we all went on a family vacation to Eilat. Since its a 5 hour drive and we had 3 kids we decided to fly (in hindsight, next time we will drive, lol)

We had a great time!

waitting for the plane

on the plane (finally)

eilat, here we come

and the view: the beautiful Negev desert

Dinner

after we landed, got settled in the hotel, and collected a few sea shells, and met Yanina we all went out to dinner

finally, fresh fish!

(with all my respect to New Frontiers and their fish selection, there is nothing like eating fish in a restaurant located on the peer)

matar and ima

ophek's dish

good morning

the kids and saba awake before the sun

playing on the beach

playing on the chair
and crash

Omri getting a morning hug

a friendly cat joins the games
chasing Matar (who wasnt sure if this was a game or not)

as the sun came out it got warmer and saba went in for a swim

ophek stayed on the beach and watched

and played

breakfast

after breakfast, its time to head to the dolphin reef (which is the reason we came to Eilat in the first place)

on the walk to the Reef Omri took his morning nap. The beach is such a great time for napping

first thing is first, saba and ophek get some beach time...

the dolphin part

At the reef there is a wooden floating peer from which you can see the dolphins.

Every few hours there is a feeding. During the feeding the dolphin instructors give each dolphin its fish and then they just play and pet them.There is NO show, no tricks, and no dolphin riding.

seeing the dolphins

After the feeding the instructors show the dolphins the food is gone so that their interaction is unconditioned with food. If the dolphins want to stay and play, its their choice. One that stayed got a serious scratching from one of the instructors.
and play time is over, swimming away...

the kids were so excited to see the dolphins (and so were we)

more dolphin pictures

no matter how much you see them, you just dont cant get enough

The dolphin dock has a hole in it through which you can see the fish. Matar and Omri loved it!

ophek joining savta in the water

lirona and Omri on the beach (savta swimming in the background)

Matar's turn

After lots of sea and sun, Matar takes her afternoon nap

daddy watching over Matar while she sleeps (making sure the millions of flies dont get her)

while you were sleeping

Ophek and Omri play and swim

one last dip in the water...

as mommy and daddy pack up the stuff, an old friend comes to visit and Matar and Ophek are excited

one last smile from the dolphins before the sun goes down and we leave this magical place