Day 11: Ben Gurion Airport and Flying on Emirates - Tel Aviv, Israel

It was already at the end of our trip to Tel Aviv.  Flying back home from Ben  Gurion Airport (Others 3).  It was not going to be an easy ride back home.  It's going to take an entire day including the layover in Dubai.  To make it worse, we are flying at 11pm at night on a Friday.  Everything in the city were closed for Shabbat.  We had nothing to do and nowhere to go, so we thought we would just check out the airport earlier at 5pm.  

There is a tax refund stand that works 24 hour at the departure hall.

They are so strict.  They really need to see your purchase for tax refund.  So, don't pack them up just yet.

After you get your forms and receipt stamped,  go through the security check and customs.  Then you can  get cash back from a counter near all the shops inside.  However, for a whole bunch of work and effort, we only got a few dollars back as there is a lot of  admin  fee.  Again, this country is not tourist friendly.

Anyways, since we know things were going to be closed, we got ourselves a shawarma back in Azrieli Center before heading to the airport.  Going to miss shawarma in Tel Aviv!

Then we enjoyed the sunset at the airport.

We thought the airport would have things we can do and check out.  Turns  out it's actually quite small and not many shops or restaurants.

Some shops takes NIS, some takes USD.

There's really nothing that made us want to buy or eat there.

Finally made it to boarding time!

The flight from Tel Aviv to  Dubai was pretty empty.  So, very comfortable and  we could take an entire row to ourselves.

We were served 2 meals.  Not really sure what we ate but they were good!  Love Emirates meals.

Point on map:

Others 3 - Ben Gurion Airport

Day 1: Flying on Emirates, Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv City Center, Jaffa City, Jaffa Flea Market, Seafood Restaurant Sultan Ibrahim, Park Hatachana and Vicki Cristina

Day 2: Azrieli Center, Food court in Azrieli Mall, Train to Jerusalem, Light rail in Jerusalem, Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem Old City, Pita in Jerfusalem, demonstration in Azrieli Center

Day 3: Cafe Xoho, Carmel Market, Dizengoff Center, Hamosad Burger

Day 4: Free bus on Shabbat, Turkish shawarma, salad time, Gordon Beach, grocery store, Sarona Market, outside of Sarona Market

Day 5: Bahadunas hummus bar, Greg Cafe

Day 6: Breakfast at DNA, Greek food at Greco

Day 7: Beach Promenade to Tel Aviv Port, Just Beef

Day 8: Claro in Sarona Market, sunset at Charles Clore Beach, Kabakeh

Day 9: New Deli, busing to Charles Clore Pier, Tel Aviv Port Market, Sunset at Tel Aviv Port

Day 10: Ouzeria, Levinski Market

Day 11: Bucke Cafe, Feeding stray cats in Sarona Market, Golda ice cream, flying on emirates, transit at Dubai

Things I should have know before going to Tel Aviv