Monday, March 8, 2010

Haifa, Zikhron Ya'acov and Kyriat Tivon (and back to Afula!)

Sophie Hagirafa took us back to the North.

A few weeks earlier we were in Afula and now we were back to the store "HaMemlakha HaKtana"to bring  more Sophies and Chan, Pie and Gnon. It is a huge organized place with more than 6000 articles for Babies and Kids. Nadav and Moran are the experts and they will be happy to help you and give you the best advice.The beginning is still slow but I hope that soon Sophies will be flying off the shelves!

Here is a picture of the store, it seems it was taken at night but it was simply late afternoon. It is dark by 5.30 pm now, way too early for my taste but there is nothing I can do about it.

HaMemlakha HaKtana, 12 HaMelakha St.



Then we went to Haifa, חֵיפָה‎ ,حَيْفَا‎ . It is Israel's third largest city and northern capital. It is  famous for its bay and the panorama, its University and Technion and for the fact that the Bahá'í World Centre is there, on Mount Carmel's northern slope. The Bahá'í faith is one of the youngest of the world's major religions.

It was founded by Baha'u'llah in Iran in the 19th century. Bahá'í religion accepts all other faiths as true and valid. Bahá'ís accept the divine nature of the missions of Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, the Buddha, Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad. They believe each one was a further stage in the revelation of God. Other prophets and Manifestations are also accepted. ( more about Bahá'í). The World Centre is the holiest site of pilgrimage for the members of the Bahá'í Faith. The gardens are stunning and well worth visiting if you are in Haifa. Tours must be booked, although they are free, and are limited (tel. 04-8313131).


Haifa is built on Mount Carmel and is the first israely city to have a subway or funicular style system called the Carmelite. It only has 6 stations. You can see some pix on the link "the Carmelite".

There are many malls in Haifa but there is one that is more special: it is called Kastra and gathers many artists. And there is one Baby store: Tinoki! Keren and her husband are very kind people who know quality when they see it! Sophie the Giraffe is now sold there and I am sure she will be greatly appreciated.


Tinoki: second floor at Kastra Center!


Then we drove 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Haifa along the beautiful Mediterranean, on a mountain to a  town called Zikhron Ya'akov. Zikhron Ya'akov was established by Baron Edmond de Rothschild and named in honor of his father Yaakov. Later Rothschild helped to establish there  the first winery in Israel, Carmel Winery, together with a bottling factory. If you enjoy wine, the Carmel Mizrahi Winery  is a touristic activity among others there....but as usual my only purpose was to meet Dikla, who owns Berale a baby boutique located on the main shopping street on Zikhron: HaMeyasdim street.

 Berale

Berale is located in a traditional home now reconverted in boutiques.It is very welcoming and the entire area has a feeling of "holidays". Sophie The Giraffe will be very well there!

To conclude part of our Northern visit we went to Kyriat Tivon a small town on the main road to Nazareth. We visited 3 stores, each with an interesting angle but no decision for Sophie La girafe was made yet. That means we will have to go back and maybe eat again a chocolate croissant at the famous Greg Café?  I am not sure why it is famous.... but maybe next time I will find out? 
Anyhow here are glimpses of Kyriat Tivon ^__^


 
      
Sophie Hagirafa visiting Kyriat Tivon



That concluded our visit to the Haifa area. Stunning views, excellent food and so many places and people  to discover and learn from! Merci Sophie ^__^

Sophie Ha Girafa at the entrance of Greg Café in Kyriat Tivon 

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