Crusader Castles
Trip Start
Apr 30, 2010
1
4
42
Trip End
Jan 20, 2012
Latakia, Latakia, Syria
Thursday, May 13, 2010
No dogs, not seen or heard one. Very few cats either.
Tim and I are the only ones wearing glasses under the age of 65, we stick out anyway but this is weird, either they all wear contact lenses, had laser eye surgery or just don't care. Seeing some of the driving over here, it could very well be the latter.
Also so far in Syria there are no other travellers in sight at all. Pretty unusual we thought, but proving we are off the beaten track of most traditional traveller haunts.
Exception being a day at Crac Des Chevaliers, the reason for us basing ourselves at Tartus for a couple of Days. Our guide book quotes TE Lawrence as describing Crac Des Chevaliers’ as 'simply the finest castle in the world’, so not much to live up to then! The castle was built by the Crusaders in the 12th century and remains almost as intact as when it was completed almost 900 years ago. Situated on a mountain top it is indeed spectacular and impenetrable to attack. Despite several attempts it was never breached with the remaining Crusaders simply clearing off of their own accord! The photos below do little justice to a fantastic day exploring.
Next stop Lebanon (country number 3). After a slick border crossing we spent a day in Tripoli (Lebanon’s second City) and then a few days chilling in Byblos. Byblos is fantastic, a real example of stylish post civil war Lebanon with lots of trendy bars and restaurants and Mediterranean beaches. Thus a planned two day trip became a four day chill out session. All this with an ancient Phoenician citadel and Crusader fort as a backdrop. An amazing town best described as like a well to do and spotlessly clean Greek island although far less commercialised. Lebanon in general could not be more different than Syria, far more liberal, westernised and alas expensive. In addition World Cup fever has arrived big and early with cars, balconies, bars etc carrying team flags. Disappointingly Brazil are the favourite choice closely followed by Germany then Spain & Argentina are some way behind. We have so far seen a grand total of two England Flags! We have racked our brains why this is so, coming to the conclusion the presence of Jedward on every radio station was the reason, before realising the Irish are accountable for that one!
Anyway time to sign off as we depart on the short hop to Beirut.
