Mediterranean Surprise (August 2016)

JFK to Israel with a quick stop in Azerbaijan. Athens for a night, then a week in Karpathos.

First stop in Israel, the mystical mountain city of Tsfat offered art galleries, elaborate candles, great views, and of course, Weapons and Puppies.

Did I mention great views?

Night 1 swim in the freshwater Kineret (Sea of Galilee).

Morning hike at the Nimrod Fortress in northern Israel, overlooking Lebanon and Syria in the distance.

Nearby Banias Nature Reserve hike led to this waterfall oasis.

By parental request, the army captain who "rode shotgun" as we drove to AY's settlement.

Sunrise over Amman, Jordan from Eish Kodesh. (Fry hair in full force)

Meredith continues to dress modestly in 100+ degree heat at the Western Wall.

Eyeing the next shoe store on Ben Yehuda Street.

Yad Vashem. One candle reflected in memory of the 1.5 million kids killed in the Holocaust.

The symbol of Israel in Gan Saccar outside Knesset.

The King David Waterfall at the end of the Dead Sea-adjacent hike in 107-degree heat.

Sunset over the Mediterranean right before my heatstroke kicked in.

While I slept off the fever, Meredith and Topaz enjoyed some birthday cake and pasta.

The Acropolis - come for the ruins, leave for the crowds...

...but sneak in some PDA first.

Strolling through the alleys of Athens.

Taking a break in front of some street art.

They upgraded us to a suite...

...so we could watch the Olympics (in Athens) in style.

Super dinner with new friends.

And a view of the Acropolis at night from the hotel roof.

Quick stop at the first (Olympic stadium (1896) before flight to Karpathos.

Beginning of a week of beaches, gyros, hiking and romance.

First of many beaches - and a very special one...

...since a big decision was made here.

Coffee and sunsets.

Hiding in the shade.

End of a strenuous hike with Nikitas, Toula and Frank. I'm sweaty.

Overlooking that first beach down below. Still sweaty.

Celebrating life from the top of the island.

$5 snorkels went a long way.

Truth.

Congrats Nick and Toula!

Saving the best, bluest beach for last.

Flight started promisingly with this epic rainbow...

...but ended after a tormenting 4 hours on the tarmac thanks to gunfire at JFK (I mean clapping... yea, they shut down the airport because clapping sounds like gunfire).

But all was forgotten when we returned home at 4 a.m. to this...

WE'RE ENGAGED!!!

Too excited to sleep. Got some Pilgrim breakfast and caught the sunrise over NYC, capping the best trip ever.

If you haven't watched it a dozen times yet, here's my song about traveling. It's 4:46 of good times, great vibes and features lots of trips with my fiancée! (woah)