Day Two in Haifa

Gisele and Han strolled through the Entrance terrace at the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, known as being one of Israel's best known attractions. There were nineteen such terraces leading up to the Shrine of the Báb. She had wanted him to see it in person; the sight rivaled anything they had visited in Europe thus far. Delilah and John had joined them, dressed conservatively but still looking like celebrities.

"Let me get a couple shots of you two," Delilah took out her camera. "Stand there so we can see the Shrine in the background."

The Shrine of the Báb is considered the second most holiest of places in the Bahá'í Faith. Han gazed up towards the central terrace where the impressive structure loomed, a fitting piece atop Mount Carmel.

Gisele melted against Han and smiled broadly while her friend clicked away. He was used to it now, posing at the landmarks he never thought he'd ever get a chance to visit. She had a whole albums worth of them on Instagram by now but he was as enthusiastic as her in capturing some visual memories.

"Isn't this place beautiful," she turned to him.

"Not only that but peaceful," Han added.

"The gardeners are excellent," John noted. The flowers and trees had been immaculately tended to and seemed in perfect symmetry.

"Let's take the guided tour," Gisele insisted.

It would take all morning, but the four of them had all the time in the world.

"Han, can you take some of us?" Delilah asked, offering him her Nikon 1 J1.

He took the camera and waited for the two ladies to pose together. They were so photogenic, he could not help but stare mesmerized by the two beauties against the spectacular gardens. John noticed as well and did little to suppress a grin.

When he was done with the Nikon, he took out his iPhone and took one more.

Later that night Gisele and Han sat on the balcony off their Royal Suite at the luxurious Dan Carmel Hotel in Central Haifa. The view impressed him to no end, seeing most of the city and the deep blue Bay. Gisele opened a bottle of 2007 Yarden Syrah and poured a glass for them. Han's muscles ached in a good way as they had spent the morning touring the gardens then the afternoon hiking in Nesher Park and braving the two suspension bridges. John and Delilah had then taken them to dinner at the French based menu at Hanamal 24. Han and Gisele both had ordered Goose legs in red wine and Persian lemon with risotto in a goose sauce. Being with her had changed his culinary habits as growing up in America he was used to pizza, fast food and Korean bbq. It turned out Delilah and John were big time foodies and if they put their minds to it, pro critics.

"Like it here?" she asked.

"So far," he replied, sipping his wine. It was the first time he had drank an Israeli vintage.

"I didn't realize how much I missed this place. I have not been here in over a decade," she admitted.

He could identify with her. There was nothing holding him back although Fullerton was a far cry from Haifa.

She checked her Movado. "Babe, it's time for our spa date."

"Spa date?" Han asked bemused.

"I took the liberty of renting out the hotel's spa for our privacy and comfort," she afforded him a smirk. "Just for us."

Han remembered something about her saying various spas had romantic couples packages and special rooms designed for couples. They could have massages done simultaneously then facials or body scrubs. They left their suite on the 9th floor to go down to the spa, dimly lit with had a soothing atmosphere. The receptionist checked them in and locked down the place. She led them to one of the dual rooms.

Gisele slowly took off her clothes and Han watched in fascination. He never tired of her svelte, nubile body.

"We'll relax in the sauna before our massages," she told him.

"Can I be your masseuse?" he offered.

"Silly boy," she smirked.

They warmed up their muscles in the sauna then went back to the room for massage. Two tables stood in therapeutic room and Han and Gisele each got on them.

"They may even teach us how to massage each other," she informed him. "Although you are already good with your hands."

After the hour long massage, which was done by four staff members, they opted for body treatments, followed by a soak in a spa tub with flower petals and special scented oils.

Han felt relaxed with Giselle resting her head against his chest as she sat back against him in the soothing water. Her eyes were closed and he gazed at her lovely countenance.

One of the attendants had left them a platter of assorted fruits. "Want some watermelon, babe?"

"Sure," she murmured.

He took a good sized chunk and offered it to her lips. She took it and he then fed himself one too. The cool, refreshing snack was a nice contrast to the warm bath. She tilted her head up and he leaned down for a kiss. Both tasted watermelon juice on each other's tongues and after they separated, they shared a laugh.

"So what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" he asked.

"How bout jet skiing at the Student beach then maybe we rent a boat and take it out on the Mediterranean?"

"Wonder if John knows how to fish," Han wondered.

"How bout some more watermelon?" she suggested.

"I like the way you think." He chuckled.