Back in Beirut

Well that is almost it folks. I am now safely back in Beirut, leisurely passing the time away just wandering around the city with the odd break here and there, after all it is warm here.

What can I say about this holiday. The travel gods have smiled on me once

again sometimes giving me what I wanted, sometimes what I needed and sometimes both. When it all clicks into place with the weather, the people, the time nd the location you have some very very special moments. How this all happens I am not sure I just refer you to my about page and the way I approach these trips in a very very positive frame of mind. Very little is going to stop me having a fantastic time.

It seems ages since I first landed I have achieved so much. Beirut, the grottos, Enfeh, Tripoli, Qadisha valley and the Bekaa valley. The last 2 of theses have truly been brilliant. Walking in the bottom of the Qadisha valley will live long in the memory as will the enormity of Balbeck at sunset, awe-inspiring.

Firstly, a hire car, my trusty Renault Symbol has not let me down once and the adventure of downtown driving in Tripoli and the mountain pass to the Bekaa were fantastic. I have got to places I would not have otherwise have done so and it is the only way to see Lebanon, the degree of freedom does make the difference.

Secondly, booking accommodation beforehand which I did with a hint of trepidation. Something I have never done. However, it gave me the right accommodation for the right location a 1940s apartment block in Beirut, a seaside apartment in Enfeh and a 100year old plus proper mountain residence with landlady’s who really know how to cook and look after their guests in Qadisha and a reconstructed Bekaa village in the Bekaa itself.
Thirdly, the blog site, kindly set up by Alie for me just before I left. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much I have writing it. The addition of the photos seems to have gone down very well indeed. Thank you for the comments, especially the caption competition, (won by Mr T Ryder of Birmingham who somehow managed to get the Isle of Wight a mention).

Thanks firstly should go to the people of Lebanon themselves, despite and because of all its rich and varied history both ancient and modern, they continue to welcome guests to their country with warmth, kindness, friendliness and a wealth of generous hospitality, be they internet cafe owners, soldiers, policemen, shop owners, landlady’s or just people I sat down with and chatted for a while, “welcome” is a word I have heard many times a day from all directions, even passers by……………..and they really meant it.

I give one example from the internet cafe owner in Balbeck, who was once a 3D graphics designer in UAE, he got made redundant, was then shot in the leg whilst out hunting in the mountains and now cannot walk to well. He has set up an internet cafe, he welcomed me to his shop and refused point-blank to accept any money from me for the use………………he was just happy I had come to his county…………………..and he looked forward to a brighter future.

Me……………..happy holidays everyone

Thanks for all your feedback and catching up with old friends.

Most of all lots of love to Alie ……….xxx…X

Until the next time folks…………………….be happy.