2008 – Family Adventures Under the Israeli Sun.

From Orange Picking to Ziplining – A Holiday Full of Laughter and Love.

Living in Holland made family vacations in Israel rare, thanks to the distance and the costs of flights. In those early years, we could barely afford it.
So, I would visit Israel with Thom maybe once a year during the summer, doing my best to split time between Yoni’s family and mine.
The goal? Let both sets of grandparents dote on her and build a bond with her.

Now, Yoni’s family and mine are as different as can be.
Yoni’s side? All about outdoor adventures, exploring, and getting active.
My side? It’s about food, culture, and a good dose of educational outings.

But in 2008, when we were searching for a warm place to escape the Christmas cold and celebrate New Year’s, we had a lightbulb moment—why not Israel?
We decided to spend one week with my family in Jerusalem, one week with Yoni’s family in Rehovot, and then top it all off with a little getaway of our own.
For that we planned to rent a car, and drive down to Eilat, and enjoy three days of diving, taking in the stunning desert views.

Our first stop? A week with Yoni’s family, and in true tradition, it was packed with adventures in nature.
We hiked after the rain, picked oranges straight from the trees, scaled walls, ziplined through the air, and even tried our hand at shooting (yes, even Yoni, the pacifist, gave it a go).

We spent the whole week goofing around, laughing, and basking in the joy of just being together.
It was one of those trips you never forget, a bonding experience overflowing with love and fun, etched into our hearts for years to come.