Israel Diary Day 4: Pageflex and Caesarea (+photos)

This is the fourth day in my Israel diary, where I’m attending the HP Indigo VIP Event in Tel Aviv.  See Day 1 in Tel Aviv here, Day 2 in Jerusalem and Bethlehem here, and Day 3 at the HP Indigo offices in Nes-Ziona here.

Another successful night of sleep.  After a great breakfast downstairs, I make my way back to the room to take care of some emails.  There’s some follow-up to do on a patent we just filed (here’s a post on what the patent process is like), as well as a few other things to check on back home.  Overall, there don’t appear to be any major fires (a concern whenever I travel).

At 9:00, Gadi from Pageflex picks me up to head to their office.  Gadi is responsible for customer support at Pageflex, and we have an engaging conversation about life, work, and Israel/US relations.  As we’re traveling on the freeway, traffic comes to a complete standstill.  I don’t mean we’re moving a few miles an hour — I mean that people are completely stopped, getting out of their cars and walking around.  Waze tells us there’s an accident ahead.

After waiting about 20 minutes, we notice we’re about 50 feet past an exit, which seems like it might enable us to escape the wait.  However, there are a lot of cars between us and the exit, and getting there requires that some people back up.

Since everyone is stopped, I get out of the car, and start motioning at people in an effort to help us move.  Some nod and wave, others lean out and speak to me in Hebrew.  I don’t know what they’re saying, but fortunately they comply, and I end helping a number of cars make their way off the freeway.  After a few moments, Gadi pulls up next to me, and I jump back in as we also escape.  Hooray!

Arriving at the Pageflex office, we go upstairs and I set up in their conference room around 11.  Elly’s team is interested in knowing more about MindFire, our marketing automation platform, and how our architecture handles automation of multi-channel elements.  They ask some great questions, and we have a lively discussion.

Around 12:30, Elly and I leave for lunch at a nearby location (which again, is really good), and return for a 2:00 Passover ceremony.

At 3:00, we leave for Caesarea, which is  town built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BCE.  Elly is an unbelievable tour guide, and takes me from place to place, describing the history starting about 2,000 BC.  Yes, that’s right — we start there and travel forward through the centuries.  I enjoy history immensely (especially when I’m on location), so I think Elly can tell I’m an eager listener and provides a great overview of the incredible landscape.

If you intend to visit Israel, Caesarea is a must.

The sun sparkles off the ocean, a warm breeze brushes our faces, and the beauty of thousands of years spreads about us.  After walking about the area (which is quite large), we spend some time talking at a small restaurant; seated on the Mediterranean, with the waves lapping at the beach, time seems to slow down.  Know the feeling?

Around 5:30, we head back towards Tel Aviv, arriving to the hotel around 6:45.

At 8 PM, the HP opening reception begins, and I spend a few hours mingling with HP clients, prospects, and partners from around the world.  I have a great time and thoroughly enjoy the engaging conversations.  This evening marks the official start of the HP VIP event, and I can’t wait!

Here are some pictures from today’s adventure — click to enjoy!

The Pageflex office in Caesarea!

Elly drew this fantastic picture representing a potential business model. If you can figure it out, I’ll give you a prize!

Elly enjoying a laugh!

Nice to see the LookWho’sClicking mouse pad has traveled half-way around the world!

Elly’s desk. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always interested in seeing how people set up their office.

Pinhas!

The Theatre in Caesarea, which is the most ancient of all theaters found in Israel.

The theatre was built in Herod’s time, and was used for hundreds of years

The theatre could accommodate 4,000 people!

It has a wonderful view of the ocean — absolutely breath-taking!

Elly and I sat here and discussed the history of the area

Ruins are visible all over the area

This is a shot of backstage — actually, it is under the theatre

Elly is on the phone, taking care of the quarter’s business. Close the deal! 🙂

More fantastic ruins to explore …

I was surprised that you could walk on things like this …

This is the excavated remains of an impressive palace with a pool!

I took pictures of many of the panels like this

This is a moat that surrounds a fortified city built during the 9th century

A shot of the Harbor, which was built during the time of Herod

I don’t know who this is … let me know in the comments if you do?

Since the area has no rivers or springs, drinking water came in via this aqueduct

Enjoying a beautiful day.

MindFire in Caesarea!

I love this shot of the acquduct — turned out nicely!

Beautiful sunset ….