My first full day in Tel Aviv started at 5am…no sleep for the weary.

We ordered a typical Israeli breakfast and then I headed to old Jaffa and the historical fort.

I made my way there via Shabazi Street through my newfound favorite area.

Neve Zedek is considered to be one of Tel Aviv’s prettiest districts, lying in the southeast section of the Yemenite quarter.

It showcases amazing architecture and cultural legacy in a village atmosphere.

Attractive boutiques and restaurants abound.

Afterwards, I headed to the old Jaffa port via the ocean boardwalk.

Much of the port is uphill and in 80 degree and 100% humidity the locale literally takes your breath away.

I did love the winding alleys and the vistas.

After the intoxicating Jaffa Market I headed to the Florentine area that has been infiltrated by french immigrants who are trying to revitalize the dilapidated streets.

The Israeli notion of up and coming is very different than the American concept.

I ended up at Levinsky spice market and after perusing all the herb stalls I sat under a tree with my Coke zero and attempted to regain conscienceness.

Israelis certainly enjoy their pitas, stuffed with tomatoes, pickles, beets and hummus accompanied by freshly squeezed juices.

I was literally too tired and hot to eat.

Never say die, I made my way back through the market and strolled up Rothschild Boulevard and had a look around the exclusive Norman Hotel in the Bauhaus district that contains all the white buildings.

Blauhaus refers to a collection of over 4,000 buildings built in a unique form in Tel Aviv from the 1930s by German Jewish architects who immigrated to Israel after the rise of the Nazis.

Tel Aviv has the largest number of buildings in the Bauhaus/International Style of any city in the world.

Finally back at the hotel, I took a break and flopped down on the hotel rooftop deck.

I was due for drinks at 7pm so it was time to put on my drinking shoes and head to what is considered one of the top bars anywhere, the Imperial Craftbar.

Update…the Imperial Craftbar was small and crowded and they put us in a minuscule booth behind 4 women who kept smashing their drunken bodies against  the divider.

After the worst offender’s second hair landed in my craft cocktail I had had it.

Hairdo Dolly needed to stop flicking her oily mane.

We dodged and ended up having a fabulous cocktail accompanied by fresh watermelon on the beach at sunset.

It was meant to be.