Sunday is Monday here, and we are on the GO!

We awaken early- as early as we can by around 6:30/7 and have breakfast and are on the road by 9.  We are off for an overnight to the northernmost part of the country. 

Our first stop is at Daliya- a kibbutz or consortium of kibbutzim and moshavim that that are part of a Unesco approved biosphere reserve.  We met with the coordinator of all the programming for the reserve, her name is Hagar Reuveni.  She was born in the kibbutz and after her education returned to the kibbutz to lead the program.  In 2011, the region submitted its application for the Unesco designation and was approved. 

 

We traveled from Tel-Aviv to the north to visit the kibbutz in the Megiddo region:

 

 

 

Quoting from the pamphlet:

"A biosphere reserve is a defined area established by administrative and economic authorities recognized by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere program.  The program is one of the vehicles for promoting sustainable development based on local community involvement activities and scientific and environmental protection activities throughout the region.

 

A biosphere reserve is operated by a regional administrative authority that prioritizes the development and coexistence of man in his environment, through a major commitment to preserving the natural resources and landscape for future generations.  A biosphere reserve is managed in accordance with the zoning of the areas within the region as core, buffer and transition areas, and defining the development, conservation and management regulations applicable to each zone.  (a biosphere reserve is a means for protecting and preserving ecosystems and ecology, and guaranteeing their long-term sustainability)

 

The Megiddo Regional Council is a partner in the management of the Ramot Menashe biosphere reserve, jointly with area residents, economic organizations,  environmental protection organizations and government authorities.

The unique attributes of this region include the rural character of the communities and the wide variety of landscapes; natural forests and woodlands, scenic routes, streams, open landscapes, rolling hills and pasture areas, picnic areas, agriculture; spaces, hiking and biking trails.

 

The biosphere reserve has a public forum in which the local residents and various authorities formulate policy for the region.  A coordinating committee oversees the ongoing management of the reserve and ensures the implementation of the policy set by the public forum."

 

Essentially, below- the blue areas show the wilderness areas- no paths or camping designed; all natural habitat; people can go in the area, but, there is no active use of the area. - minimal human interaction;  The yellow are the buffer areas- adjoin the other zones and protects the core zone and allow limited interaction.  - where people work, live, and even have factories to sustain the region.  The green areas are transition areas- this is where sustainable human development is located.  .  

 

 

 A successful biosphere reserve is a region with a vibrant, flourishing and developed community that of its own free will accepts restrictions and practices  that will facilitate full sustainability in all aspects of life.

 

We sat and talked with Hagar for over an hour.  Of course, in the area there are many sites to see, hikes to take, streams to visit and overlooks.  The area is so much more hilly than the flat terrain of Tel Aviv; the air is cooler, too.  The vistas are grand. 

 

Hagar gave us a recommendation for a small restaurant called Tandooka located in a moshav not very far from her offices.  We managed to locate the restaurant with the help of a tax driver.  what a lovely meal.  relaxing and delicious.

 

 

 

But, our day was not to end there;  we were headed to the very north- the small finger of land north of Lake Kinneret- Tiberias.  Up to the border of Lebanon. 

 

Maura had a plan to visit with a kibbutz Daphna in the morning; she arranged for us to stay at a kibbutz hotel named Hagoshrim.  - more than a hotel- this is a spa.  And since darkness falls by 5, we wanted to be in the vicinity before dark.  Our trip- about another hour, was through rolling countryside. 

 

 

 

 

 

And so we continued our travels.  we pulled into Hagoshrim. and checked in to a lovely resort.  Maura signed up for a massage; we headed for a rest. we signed up for massages for the next morning and opted out of her tour of Daphna. Dinner was an experience.  Israeli resorts and hotels typically have large and excessive buffets- that are hard to imagine if you haven't experienced them; this one was one of the most impressive I have seen. There must have been more than 50 salad choices alone; more than 3-4 fish options and chicken and meats. And all the foods were labelled- gluten free, vegan, etc.  The restaurant was also kosher- so for dinner, there is no dairy.  At breakfast- equally opulent - the food is all dairy- fish is considered a non- meat and so may be served at any meal and is served in various guises at every meal.  In the morning there is a wonderful tuna fish and smoked and pickled fishes of all kinds. 

The air is chilly; we enjoy dinner, are exhausted and, we have a big day on Monday.  Two kibbutzim to visit and to get home.  We have no idea what will be in store for us; each experience is so vastly different from the one before.