31.5.20 Poleg Beach to Sanz Beach
(Netanya)
Present: Leora and Netanel
Length: 8.6 km
I cannot help starting every one of my posts with the words: "Best day ever!" When you have a beautiful trail, beautiful weather and wonderful company on your side, how can it not be?
We were fortunate to have been invited for the Shavuot Holiday to our dear friends The Katz's who live in Netanya. We gladly accepted the warm offer in anticipation of the wonderful gift of the company of friends. This is not to be taken for granted in this period of the Covid 19 Pandemic. In Israel, restrictions are being gradually lifted and it has become possible to socialize with one additional family, keeping in mind the need for social distancing and strict hygiene.
We enjoyed perfect month of May weather. Cool breezes and clear skies amounted to pure joy at being out of doors. We spent a lot of time over the holiday and the adjoining Shabbat walking outside, visiting the shore and relaxing on the promenade of Netanya.
While the rest of the family had to get back home right after the Shabbat, Netanel and I took the opportunity of being in that area of the country for walking on "the Shvil". We put an additional 8.6 km under our belt. Truly although it was only 8.6 km in length, we saw so many gorgeous and educational sculptures, parks and monuments as well as nature conservation areas and idyllic beaches, it is hard to believe that the trip was only 8.6 km long.
We started walking at 11 am at Poleg beach. The path goes right next to a conservation area called: "The Iris Conservation Area," named for the exceptional irises that grow wild there during the month of February. The month of February is the month to be outdoors with so many special wild flowers abound. Try to make this work, as well as Givat HaTurmusim also along "Shvil Israel".
We weren't able to see any iris flowers, as it was the month of May, but we did enjoy other aspects of the conservation area. This whole 8 km section of the Shvil can be done with a bike and it is beautifully paved for older people who like flat and steady paths.
This conservation area is built
up and is also currently being worked on to allow for an underground passageway
for wildlife. Although this sounds like remote nature, all of these sites
are within the residential urban life of Netanya.
The entire section was impeccably
well marked. I never had a moment of doubt as to whether we were still on
the path. All I needed to do was look up and I would see an
indicator. Even on this little lane, you can see the marking above the
small fenced doorway:
This picture is the border of the
nature conservation area. Behind and to the side was all nature and
thousands of kingfisher birds, interspersed are residential buildings and
beyond is the sea. After the first 2 km described above the rest of the
path was along the stunning and highly developed promenade. Walking in
the sunshine, I couldn't help marvel at the fact that I was never sweating,
rather always fanned with cool refreshing air. Bear in mind we walked
during the "heat of the day" from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, yet we were
comfortable as can be the full way. In another month or so, the humidity
and heat would return to Netanya, however, it is possible that along the
promenade you would continue to be cooled by the sea breeze.
I think this section could also be done at night, as the entire promenade is lit. Along the way, there were parks at least every km. Some were for adults, as in exercise parks, others were designed for kids of all ages. There was a great skate park for rollerblading and skateboarding and towards the end a flat rink, as well. In Poleg area, there was a science park with scientific structures to use and learn about, all accompanied with audio explanation. Above is a sundial, which my son figured out how to read. It's a good place to bring soda cans to compress into flat discs - just for fun! but also, to learn about recycling.
I laugh to consider that I actually hesitated about taking this "day off" school for my 8-year-old son. I was worried he might "fall behind". But the school of life taught him more than a semester of school could have ever managed to do. He is intimately familiar with the map of Israel, as well as navigating skills: North, South, East, West are not merely textbook concepts. Rather skills that can get him where he needs to go. He is also uncannily good at estimating how long we have travelled and how much there is left to go. I guess this too comes with the experience. When you've walked 10km at a time as often as he has, you get to know the feeling of the half-way point, and you know what to expect even before measuring on your app how far you've walked so far!
At the science park, he
experimented with Pythagoras’s theory, transferring energy, mass vs. volume,
and so much more. Don't miss it! We passed a large monument
commemorating the Holocaust with an actual boxcar transported from Nazi
Germany. An artistic monument of tribute to the Red Army for the
role it played in liberating Jews from the Holocaust and many other interesting
monuments dotted the trail, as well. Reading is done at all
the monuments and sculptures and curiosity and questioning happens all day long
with an adult around with whom to talk it all over. Could any school do
better than that?
Beautiful flower beds and scenic views abound. Towards the end of this section, just before "the elevator beach" the Shvil goes down to the sand. We decided to walk this section on the promenade, instead, because we knew that we would go down to the sand after completing the section, nearer to where we were staying. It's fine to make these adjustments and the app lets you know how far you are from the path in order to reunite to it at any time. We ended the day with a great kosher meal at Reuben's right on the beach (the best French fries I've ever tasted). Netanel asked them for the recipe, however, although they appreciated the compliment, they informed him that it's a secret recipe.
After restoring body and soul, we changed into bathing suits, rented chairs and stayed at the beach until sundown. Did I mention that it was the perfect day?
I highly recommend this section
for families at any time of the year, night or day.
