Wildlife in Israel: small, but fine (c) Stefan Mey
I have compared the said destination during a holiday in Thailand to India a few years ago and am doing while diplomatically came to the conclusion that India offers more intercultural grenzgänge, for Thailand but the more beautiful beaches – the choice of destination was therefore a matter of taste. India liked me personally but better – which is why I was also half a year there and have written even a book about the time there.
About other countries, I have since my trip to India, which began two years ago, not geblogged, although still some adventure followed on the India trip. For example I went to Israel now already the second year in a row – and while I still not so much felt the need to blog about my experience last year, I would like to explain this time why it now attracts me in a country, know many people unfortunately only from the evening news. So here it is: my travel comparison between India and Israel.
Beaches
Many people go on vacation, to lie on the beach – I even don't count me among this strain, but against white sand and blue sea generally nothing to object. India scores here in the first place through the exotic Andamans and the hippie paradise of Goa, urban beaches like those of Bombay have the traveller on the cultural life, invite on the basis of pollution but really not for bathing.
In turn, the Tel Aviv beach is a City Beach, known also by many European city. Here, you can jump in the water and watch the sunset from the beach with modern high-rise buildings in the back. In a few hours, you are from Tel Aviv via bus to the Red or dead sea – and the latter is the USP of the Israelis: while otherwise today every tourist attraction also on Wikipedia and Google Street view can be admired, bathing in the salt waters of the dead sea is a unique experience that I will never forget.
History and religion
India's cultural diversity can literally kill a visitor here thousands of years of cultural development rolling together, visitors can track exotic ceremonies, and broaden their horizons if they bring the right attitude for it. Who would like to learn something about Sikhism, Buddhism, or Hinduism, here is the right address.
Europeans should travel to Israel again, who are interested in the roots of their own religion. As good as any place in this small country has a relevance for the monotheistic religions, the "Lonely Planet" for Israel is peppered with Bible references – even if it just comes to Jaffa, Tel Aviv, old town. In Jerusalem, it is really about: here representatives of three world religions meet in the old city, celebrate their festivals, celebrate their pilgrimages, Muezzine and church bells fulminate to the hearing of visitors. Jerusalem is the Varanasi of the religions of the book – and no less entertaining.
Hiking and wildlife
There is no doubt in India to see the larger animals: who here is in the correct state in a jeep, which can lucky not only horned beasts, but also elephants and various big cats see. Thus, India offers less than several black African countries, but more than the black forest.
However, India has the disadvantage that you can be there not even active except for niche applications, such as the Matheran described in my book. In Israel, in turn, am I migrated independently at the dead sea at less than 40 degrees Celsius through the wilderness – and have seen even some ibex.
Who like to track animals by car's better off in India – who is like active, should be put on Israel.
Intercultural Flashs
As previously described, India is foreign, distant and exotic – it belongs here everyday, foreign cultures surprise to expand their horizons, and the average middle European is quickly known through his white skin like a sore.
In Israel, there is also this Flash – you have to search but longer then, they usually arise only in longer conversations. At first glance, however, the Israelis are extremely similar to the Central Europeans, thanks to my Vollbartes, I was held for an Israeli at all times – not to mention the fact that this country with full commitment also takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest is, after all.
WLAN/WiFi
Some people drive apparently on holiday, to finally undisturbed can surf in the Internet. I myself prefer to be as much as possible offline travel and devote myself to my surroundings – against a rapid availability of Google maps and booking.com in case I have but also nothing.
In India Wi-FI found, especially in large cities, in various hotels and bars; who wants to be but constantly online, which is arguably better advised to get a value card with 3 g Internet – otherwise, the streak could be maybe too long until the next tweet.
In Israel, the Wi-FI density is my subjective perception that even better. Not only that here all my accommodation with free Wi-FI were equipped and I had many cafes from accessing the Web – even during the overland in the green "Egged" buses (the Israeli equivalent of Eurolines), there was free WiFi.
Infrastructure, safety and hygiene
A propos buses: travel is easy in Israel. Buses run between the individual locations as well as "Sheruts": mini-buses, which serve as collective taxis and where one quickly comes with locals in the conversation. Since the country is very small, you can very quickly from A to B – while in India, the rail network is also well built, the trains are firstly much dirtier and secondly due to the size of the country, travel is often very time consuming.
Israel wins another point in terms of hygiene: even public toilets are clean, tap water, you can drink unfiltered – points, which put many squeamish tourists before India back.
In terms of safety, I had the feeling that the Israel traveler must have less fear of pickpockets and generally less is begging as in India. For an Israel traveler should always have a glance on the world political scene – for well-known reasons.
Cost
Flights to Mumbai from 650 euro (plus Visa and vaccination), my flight to Tel Aviv has cost me 400 euros – face significantly higher amounts of spot the difference. My cheapest accommodation in Israel was a hostel room in the old city of Jerusalem to 40 euro, in India, in turn, I have paid for some accommodations – divided but with frogs and cockroaches – under 10 euros. A meal in India costs one euro, a burger with beer in Tel Aviv costs 20 euros.
It juxtaposes the fixed costs (flight, Visa, vaccinations) to variable costs (sheep, food, alcohol, excursions), it is found that a trip is cheaper to the far East from a travel time of about two weeks as an equally long trip in the Middle East.
Conclusion
Also, a goose never – exist not in the destination. It is clear that my love for India is not soon subside for me of course – that I appreciate the opportunity to gain experience that are simply unforgettable with a low travel budget to.
But I found a good alternative in Israel in case that I have only a few vacation days available and would like to experience a famous adventure yet. What is clear to me that both countries sure sooner or later must welcome me as a guest – about the experience then read on this communication channel.