tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4918984217848121452024-03-08T11:51:39.732+03:00Marko in Turkey, Syria, Jordan & IsraelCamera - check, guidebook - check. Travel through Turkey, Syria, Jordan & Israel with a backpack and a budget.Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-8722403044859631662008-12-07T19:20:00.002+02:002012-09-14T19:12:43.174+03:00Coming homeWell the trip is finished. What a trip it was! Considering I had very little planned, it was incredibly smooth with pretty good weather. Really I had no idea what I was going to do when I landed in Istanbul, aside that I wanted to check out the Mediterranean coast. I didn't think Syria would allow me to cross its border and thought that my trip would have been spent entirely in Turkey.<br />
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Out of the countries I've visited on this trip, I'd have to say Turkey was my favorite. Maybe it's because I spent the most time here. The highlight of my trip would be <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/petra-day-1.html" target="_blank">Petra</a>, with <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/palmyras-desert.html" target="_blank">Palmyra</a> as a close second. <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/selcuk-ephesus-wow.html" target="_blank">Ephasus</a>, <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/perge-aspendos-side-and-kursulnu.html" target="_blank">Perge</a> & <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/it-feels-like-ive-been-in-turkey-for.html" target="_blank">Heirapolis</a> were also incredible. In terms of cities, <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/istanbul-day-2.html" target="_blank">Istanbul</a> was my favorite. Though some cities may have had more interesting history or better bargains, <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/istanbul-day-2.html" target="_blank">Istanbul</a> is the best all around. <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/jerusalem-day-2.html" target="_blank">Jerusalem</a> would be second followed by <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/gloomy-day-in-damascus.html" target="_blank">Damascus</a>. There were a number of small towns I fell in love with too, like <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/selcuk-ephesus-wow.html" target="_blank">Selcuk</a> and <a href="http://markointurkey.blogspot.com/2008/11/ahh-i-havent-had-much-luck-with.html" target="_blank">Hama</a>.<br />
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I had some reservations about going to the Middle East, but I'm so glad I did. It's not as scary of a place as most people think and it has so much to offer in history, food and culture. A lot of people I've met have made me feel so welcome and safe, after just minutes of talking with them. I've made a lot of friends along the way, many who are the reason this trip has been so smooth. This is definitely a place where I would come back to some day.Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-9299303079296463572008-12-06T23:36:00.009+02:002008-12-07T09:06:26.667+02:00Across the Golden Horn<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFGZSAnI/AAAAAAAABT0/aI5yzpGwrEw/s1600-h/DSC_0816-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276796082847875698" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 133px; height: 200px;" alt="Nusretiye Camil (Mosque)" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFGZSAnI/AAAAAAAABT0/aI5yzpGwrEw/s200/DSC_0816-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>Today I walked east of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanahmet">Sultanahmet</a>, past the main tourist area of Istanbul, across the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Horn">Golden Horn</a>. It was quite nice. I got to see streets and neighborhoods of Turkey where the shop owners didn't speak any English, didn't try to sell me carpets and most items actually had price tags.<br /><br />My first stop was the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Tower">Galata Tower</a>, a 700 year old structure that provides a really beautiful view of the surrounding area. All the major attractions can be seen from its balconies. Unfortunately most of it has been turned into a restaurant.<br /><br />Leaving the tower I headed toward a church -- or so I thought. I got pretty lost and ended up walking along the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosporus">Bosporus</a>, which divides Europe and Asia. It was great as I still came across many interesting sights. My favorite was the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusretiye_Mosque">Nusretiye Camil</a>, in photo top left. At first I wasn't sure how to get a good photo of it, from the street it's obstructed by wires and trees. Looking around I saw a little wall that I figured I could climb up and get just enough clearance. It turned out to be a perfect view, though the people walking by gave me strange looks.<br /><br />I stopped by a nice little park where I paid five Turkish lira to shoot balloons with a pellet gun, when I noticed a guy taking photos of me. Turns out he's from the U.S. and he thought I was shooting a real gun. We had a laugh about it and a nice long conversation about travels and such before going different ways.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryF-ghAAI/AAAAAAAABUU/JdhU7gPlbzg/s1600-h/DSC_0882-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276796097910603778" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 133px; height: 200px;" alt="Erdem looking professional" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryF-ghAAI/AAAAAAAABUU/JdhU7gPlbzg/s200/DSC_0882-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>By the time I started heading back to my hotel, it was getting late in the day. I decided to visit the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar">Grand Bazaar</a>, to do some shopping and say goodbye to a friend. That's him to the right. His name is Erdem (or Edi) and he's a very friendly 23 year old shop owner in the bazaar. He had a girlfriend from <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia">Bosnia</a> and knew a few words in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_language">Serbian</a>, so right away we had a fun conversation. It's always nice to meet people like him, because as a tourist most people try to rip you off. Before I'd buy anything, I'd go to his shop to ask him what a good price for it would be.<br /><br />Tomorrow I won't be doing much. I may go check out a nearby <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaduct">aqueduct</a> and then probably come back to the hotel to sleep. My flight is very early (5:30 am) with a six hour wait in Frankfurt. I'll try to get rested for the journey home.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">A fountain in Sultanahmet:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxTxfuyTI/AAAAAAAABTM/YbnWdJ6XXTs/s1600-h/DSC_0697-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276795235424192818" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxTxfuyTI/AAAAAAAABTM/YbnWdJ6XXTs/s200/DSC_0697-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">The Misir Carsis (spice market):<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryF8RDkqI/AAAAAAAABUM/ZZ4w8oUELCk/s1600-h/DSC_0863-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276796097308889762" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryF8RDkqI/AAAAAAAABUM/ZZ4w8oUELCk/s200/DSC_0863-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">St. Anthony Church:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFrNMuSI/AAAAAAAABUE/0YphEfqNYog/s1600-h/DSC_0837-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276796092729309474" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFrNMuSI/AAAAAAAABUE/0YphEfqNYog/s200/DSC_0837-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Istiklal Caddesi, a fun street where young Turks seem to hang out:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFa5bMAI/AAAAAAAABT8/n2ZFOylBzj8/s1600-h/DSC_0826-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276796088351404034" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STryFa5bMAI/AAAAAAAABT8/n2ZFOylBzj8/s200/DSC_0826-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Pigeon feeding at the Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUnQCwzI/AAAAAAAABTs/ZBCQeQ0JdWE/s1600-h/DSC_0780-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276795249853907762" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUnQCwzI/AAAAAAAABTs/ZBCQeQ0JdWE/s200/DSC_0780-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">View from the Galata Tower, Sultanahmet is in the distance:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUQTVpjI/AAAAAAAABTk/KblpBFdCKo4/s1600-h/DSC_0736-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276795243693712946" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUQTVpjI/AAAAAAAABTk/KblpBFdCKo4/s200/DSC_0736-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Galata Tower:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUE1oTkI/AAAAAAAABTc/rAMJw8YaUcw/s1600-h/DSC_0722-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276795240616316482" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxUE1oTkI/AAAAAAAABTc/rAMJw8YaUcw/s200/DSC_0722-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Fishing along the Galata Koprusu:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxTwX1tnI/AAAAAAAABTU/bWH8rbmZsgY/s1600-h/DSC_0714-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276795235122656882" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STrxTwX1tnI/AAAAAAAABTU/bWH8rbmZsgY/s200/DSC_0714-1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-77831186639426552032008-12-05T23:00:00.007+02:002008-12-07T08:26:10.929+02:00Sultanahmet Area<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaubeoYmI/AAAAAAAABIo/bjtE1wgtCwQ/s1600-h/DSC_0537.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276418560882139746" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Topkapi Palace" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaubeoYmI/AAAAAAAABIo/bjtE1wgtCwQ/s200/DSC_0537.JPG" border="0" /></a> It was a good day in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul" target="_blank">Istanbul</a>. I took out the city map and circled a bunch of sights I wanted to see that I didn't get to see the first time I was here. I tried to make a plan of attack, as I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all in one day. I'll be here until my flight leaves on December 7, so I should have enough time to see quite a bit.<br /><br />The first place I went to today is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern" target="_blank">Basilica Cistern</a>. It's an underground chamber built by the Romans to collect water. It's a tranquil place that still collects and contains water. A walkway is built through it and drops can be heard falling down from the ceiling. The highlight of this chamber are two columns that have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa_%28mythology%29" target="_blank">Medusa</a>'s head as the base. One of the heads is turned on its side and the other upside down. Archeologists haven't been able to figure out the reason behind this. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa_%28mythology%29" target="_blank">Medusa</a> heads were often put on structures to ward off evil.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmauE8zJxI/AAAAAAAABIg/QuVeFcsMB94/s1600-h/DSC_0535.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276418554834659090" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Medusa head" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmauE8zJxI/AAAAAAAABIg/QuVeFcsMB94/s200/DSC_0535.JPG" border="0" /></a>My second stop, which took up most of my day, was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace" target="_blank">Topkapi Palace</a>. It was closed when I was here the last time. I didn't realize that it would take up so much of my time, it's a pretty big place. There's a ton of chambers and to see and most of them are set up in a museum style, showing off the many of the sultan's artifacts and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire" target="_blank">Ottoman empire</a>'s spoils of war.<br /><br />Part of the palace includes the harem chambers. These are pretty exquisite. Incredible decorations on the walls, baths in every chamber, fireplaces, couches, etc. The harem was used not only by the sultan's concubines but also by the sultan mother and the eunuchs. Its chambers were by far the most decorated of the palace and a separate admission was required to go inside.<br /><br />By the time I was done with the palace, I had just enough time to get something to eat and visit the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar,_Istanbul" target="_blank">Grand Bazaar</a> to get some ideas for gifts. If anyone would like anything from Turkey, let me know in the comments below.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Basilica Cistern:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmauf7lMrI/AAAAAAAABIw/Fn4GnRJt0_8/s1600-h/DSC_0489.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276418562077307570" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmauf7lMrI/AAAAAAAABIw/Fn4GnRJt0_8/s200/DSC_0489.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Harem chambers in the Topkapi Palace:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaRhVbyMI/AAAAAAAABIQ/597IG1-LX8k/s1600-h/DSC_0570.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276418064237971650" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaRhVbyMI/AAAAAAAABIQ/597IG1-LX8k/s200/DSC_0570.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Sultan's chamber in the Harem:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmZ8DFn7MI/AAAAAAAABII/940nCJB2MaA/s1600-h/DSC_0591.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276417695341341890" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmZ8DFn7MI/AAAAAAAABII/940nCJB2MaA/s200/DSC_0591.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">A display of how the concubines would have dressed:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaRv0UlII/AAAAAAAABIY/i1hYn_SAKAk/s1600-h/DSC_0584.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276418068125619330" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmaRv0UlII/AAAAAAAABIY/i1hYn_SAKAk/s200/DSC_0584.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Concubine chamber:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmZ7hAyWbI/AAAAAAAABIA/uqmU2U05u5I/s1600-h/DSC_0613.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276417686194248114" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmZ7hAyWbI/AAAAAAAABIA/uqmU2U05u5I/s200/DSC_0613.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Topkapi Palace courtyards:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYmZd9F3I/AAAAAAAABH4/xZjIGh9XFPY/s1600-h/DSC_0648.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276416223880222578" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYmZd9F3I/AAAAAAAABH4/xZjIGh9XFPY/s200/DSC_0648.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Me on the palace balcony, overlooking the Bosphorus:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYl7ztXdI/AAAAAAAABHw/F8DnlJleboU/s1600-h/DSC_0658.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276416215918403026" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYl7ztXdI/AAAAAAAABHw/F8DnlJleboU/s200/DSC_0658.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">A sweets shop in Istanbul:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYGhJD_JI/AAAAAAAABHo/YWMb7n8gPhA/s1600-h/DSC_0665.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276415676184263826" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYGhJD_JI/AAAAAAAABHo/YWMb7n8gPhA/s200/DSC_0665.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Baklava:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYF-eoodI/AAAAAAAABHg/Hqs2m1R6W-4/s1600-h/DSC_0669.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276415666879504850" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmYF-eoodI/AAAAAAAABHg/Hqs2m1R6W-4/s200/DSC_0669.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Same shot of the Blue Mosque as during my last visit, but in different light:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmXzLENApI/AAAAAAAABHQ/LqrvUlTNxNk/s1600-h/DSC_0696.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276415343840789138" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmXzLENApI/AAAAAAAABHQ/LqrvUlTNxNk/s200/DSC_0696.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both;">Sun setting over the Blue Mosque:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmXza9CQFI/AAAAAAAABHY/KCtSyPDGIMM/s1600-h/DSC_0686.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276415348105691218" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STmXza9CQFI/AAAAAAAABHY/KCtSyPDGIMM/s200/DSC_0686.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-3741394603592392892008-12-04T23:01:00.003+02:002008-12-04T23:11:47.637+02:00Back in Istanbul!I just had the longest day! I went to the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv">Tel Aviv</a> airport to catch a flight to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul">Istanbul</a> and I went quite early thinking that it might take a while through security. My assumption was correct. I guess I look super suspicious because after they took out all my things and thoroughly went through my backpack, they took me to a back room where they just about strip searched me. They padded me down from head to toe. I'm guessing part of it is because my travel through Syria and the other part is because I'm traveling alone.<br /><br />In addition to the long security process, my plane was delayed for an hour. The gate was changed and I spent most of the day at the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Gurion_International_Airport">Ben Gurion airport</a>. I tried to talk to whoever spoke English to make the time pass by.<br /><br />At about 10:00 pm I finally arrived to the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippodrome_of_Constantinople">Sultanahmet</a> area of Istanbul, where I began my trip. I'm not sure what I'll do with the two days I have left, I may just spend them relaxing in Istanbul. Though I have no photos today, I'll be sure to get some more tomorrow. There are still sights in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul">Istanbul</a> I have yet to visit.Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-37735173245208036852008-12-03T18:31:00.004+02:002008-12-03T19:05:57.712+02:00Tel Aviv and Jaffa<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa60hJCAZI/AAAAAAAABGc/ToXiqL5hYY0/s1600-h/DSC_0434.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275609424923328914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Along Tel Aviv beaches" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa60hJCAZI/AAAAAAAABGc/ToXiqL5hYY0/s200/DSC_0434.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ah, it's been a pretty lazy day in comparison to the rest of my vacation. I started off by buying a whole bunch of tasty pastries and eating them as I beachcombed for fancy seashells. Didn't find a lot, but how can I complain about walking along a beach in beautiful sunny weather, listening to the waves crash.<br /><br />I walked over to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa" target="_blank">Jaffa</a> which is pretty much a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a> neighborhood. It has a very interesting history. It's repeatedly mentioned in the bible and it has inspired many stories and paintings. Unfortunately little remains of its ancient structures and artifacts have all been relocated to museums. The information centre is built over some housing remains and in a garden there are some excavations of Egyptian fortification walls thought to have been built by built by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_III" target="_blank">Pharaoh Ttutmose III</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6M-tBC9I/AAAAAAAABF8/WvA_2p3wErc/s1600-h/DSC_0467.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608745664121810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Streets of Jaffa" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6M-tBC9I/AAAAAAAABF8/WvA_2p3wErc/s200/DSC_0467.JPG" border="0" /></a>Walking back to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>, I passed through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen" target="_blank">Yemenite</a> quarter. It's a nice little neighborhood with small houses and an interesting market. Spices, fruits, meats and popular brand rip offs are the main sell. I took a couple of pictures and continued on.<br /><br />On the way to my hotel I got pretty lost. The maps in the guidebook are pretty tiny and often leave out names of streets. It wasn't so bad though, I got to see many of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>'s neighborhoods and finding my way back was pretty easy, I just asked people to point me to the Mediterranean.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Tel Aviv from Jaffa:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa60uPLu9I/AAAAAAAABGU/9gQghqEQTLA/s1600-h/DSC_0440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275609428438793170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa60uPLu9I/AAAAAAAABGU/9gQghqEQTLA/s200/DSC_0440.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">St. Peter's Monastery:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6NZWjeGI/AAAAAAAABGM/v-XoEo5GcZA/s1600-h/DSC_0453.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608752817666146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6NZWjeGI/AAAAAAAABGM/v-XoEo5GcZA/s200/DSC_0453.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Jaffa:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6M1WOZKI/AAAAAAAABGE/97FiZpB_SOs/s1600-h/DSC_0461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608743152608418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6M1WOZKI/AAAAAAAABGE/97FiZpB_SOs/s200/DSC_0461.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Yemenite market:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6MqhVE1I/AAAAAAAABF0/9KHN8x7I9Sc/s1600-h/DSC_0472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608740246393682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6MqhVE1I/AAAAAAAABF0/9KHN8x7I9Sc/s200/DSC_0472.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6MEpQCqI/AAAAAAAABFs/hUaa8pXuH4M/s1600-h/DSC_0476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275608730079070882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STa6MEpQCqI/AAAAAAAABFs/hUaa8pXuH4M/s200/DSC_0476.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-18915753587222916542008-12-02T20:39:00.005+02:002008-12-02T21:17:17.450+02:00Tel Aviv<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4jN7d7I/AAAAAAAABFE/kk2WlNQShVA/s1600-h/DSC_0380.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275269745107236786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Jaffa in the distance" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4jN7d7I/AAAAAAAABFE/kk2WlNQShVA/s200/DSC_0380.JPG" border="0" /></a>I had a bit of an adventure going to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a> from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko" target="_blank">Akko</a>. I took my first train in the middle east and it wasn't as simple (or maybe it's just me) as I thought it would be. I thought the train would be a direct one, it's on the same railway, but the train I got on wasn't going to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>. I realized that after asking some passengers, and got off in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa" target="_blank">Haifa</a> to transfer to the correct train. In my hurry to get off, I forgot my guidebook along with my train ticket on the train.<br /><br />There were to issues with that. The most obvious was that I don't know my way around Israel and without the guidebook getting around is a lot more difficult. The not so obvious issue was that getting out of a train station requires a ticket. The gates open only after you put the your ticket through.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4znea_I/AAAAAAAABFM/augCIsm9d2E/s1600-h/DSC_0392.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275269749509352434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Self portrait on the beach" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4znea_I/AAAAAAAABFM/augCIsm9d2E/s200/DSC_0392.JPG" border="0" /></a>At the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a> train station, I sought out the station security and explained to them what happened. To my surprise they were extremely helpful and even arranged for someone in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa" target="_blank">Haifa</a> to get my guidebook and bring it to me in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>, at no charge. I was blown away by the service. Within an hour I had both my ticket and my guidebook and I continued on to the city centre.<br /><br />There's no historical sights in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>. It's a very modern city right on the Mediterranean coast. The beaches are clean, the weather is great and the water looks quite inviting. Directly south of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a> is a town called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa" target="_blank">Jaffa</a>. It has some historical sights, but nothing compared to the places I've been to so far. Still, I'll make the best of my time here and explore it and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a> tomorrow.<br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Tel Aviv on the horizon:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4VvCEtI/AAAAAAAABE0/XWFgQEKTX8w/s1600-h/DSC_0354.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275269741487985362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4VvCEtI/AAAAAAAABE0/XWFgQEKTX8w/s200/DSC_0354.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Fishing near Jaffa port:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4vWV5XI/AAAAAAAABE8/emsNQBigogI/s1600-h/DSC_0372.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275269748363748722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF4vWV5XI/AAAAAAAABE8/emsNQBigogI/s200/DSC_0372.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">An off centre photo of me by a lady who seemed to have trouble lining up the horizon:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF5adbZPI/AAAAAAAABFU/TL1t5LI9X-g/s1600-h/DSC_0399.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275269759936193778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWF5adbZPI/AAAAAAAABFU/TL1t5LI9X-g/s200/DSC_0399.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Jaffa from Tel Aviv:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWGHejBOoI/AAAAAAAABFc/jsVk7Eqgn3M/s1600-h/DSC_0401.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275270001551555202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWGHejBOoI/AAAAAAAABFc/jsVk7Eqgn3M/s200/DSC_0401.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Kite surfing on Tel Aviv's beaches at sunset:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWGHq9VYiI/AAAAAAAABFk/kwhwwD0N5qM/s1600-h/DSC_0419.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275270004883153442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STWGHq9VYiI/AAAAAAAABFk/kwhwwD0N5qM/s200/DSC_0419.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-15334279977237968192008-12-01T18:00:00.007+02:002008-12-01T19:11:13.073+02:00Looking for Acre<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQVeI85MLI/AAAAAAAABEs/vRp5Hr6ruoI/s1600-h/DSC_0288.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274864671100842162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="View of the Mediterranean from the city walls" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQVeI85MLI/AAAAAAAABEs/vRp5Hr6ruoI/s200/DSC_0288.JPG" border="0" /></a>The history here is quite impressive. This place has been an important harbour since the Roman times. Remains of old columns can be found scattered around the town. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_caesar" target="_blank">Julius Caesar</a> made an appearance here in 48 B.C. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusaders" target="_blank">Crusaders</a> made this their capital after the fall of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem" target="_blank">Jerusalem</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_the_lionheart" target="_blank">Richard the Lionheart</a> took the city during the third crusade. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Polo" target="_blank">Marco Polo</a> passed through on the way to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient" target="_blank">Orient</a> and the city walls still bare the scars of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napolean_Bonaparte" target="_blank">Napoleon Bonaparte</a>'s artillery, when he tried to conquer it 1799.<br /><br />Unfortunately, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko" target="_blank">Akko</a> is barely hanging on to its magnificent history. It doesn't seem to be a matter of money. Funding is evident by the size and state of the art tourist information centre built right in the middle of the citadel. It seems a matter of priorities. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTnS7iJjI/AAAAAAAABEM/lhm_WnEf7F8/s1600-h/DSC_0286.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274862629375059506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 10px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="The Ottoman clocktower" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTnS7iJjI/AAAAAAAABEM/lhm_WnEf7F8/s200/DSC_0286.JPG" border="0" /></a>The city seems more concerned about first impressions than it does about preservation. There seems to be ongoing restoration and excavation, but what has been restored seems to be lacking maintenance and governance. Pathways seem to disappear into weeds, signs are missing or destroyed and restaurants and souvenir shops are built right on top or around the ruins. In fact, getting out of the citadel, the main attraction, people are forced to exit out of a souvenir shop. It's a shame.<br /><br />Though this put a bit of a damper on my experience in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko" target="_blank">Akko</a>, I'm still quite glad I came here. I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and a great walk through the many tiny streets and passageways of the old city. At sunset I climbed up on the ramparts and watched the sun go down over the harbour.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll catch a train to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_aviv" target="_blank">Tel Aviv</a>, Israel's biggest and most modern city; often confused as the capital.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Akko in the morning:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSutGz0lI/AAAAAAAABDU/6DYlx--NhOk/s1600-h/DSC_0172.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274861657149133394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSutGz0lI/AAAAAAAABDU/6DYlx--NhOk/s200/DSC_0172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">The only camel in the city, strangely wandering around a church yard:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSu-f6xVI/AAAAAAAABDc/sY5FGDJU1ew/s1600-h/DSC_0196.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274861661817849170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSu-f6xVI/AAAAAAAABDc/sY5FGDJU1ew/s200/DSC_0196.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Coastal walls:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSvcfIi-I/AAAAAAAABDk/f8GmMrfWp0Q/s1600-h/DSC_0200.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274861669867621346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSvcfIi-I/AAAAAAAABDk/f8GmMrfWp0Q/s200/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Al Jazzar Mosque:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSv2PPWhI/AAAAAAAABDs/_ggSEVvGobU/s1600-h/DSC_0210.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274861676780280338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSv2PPWhI/AAAAAAAABDs/_ggSEVvGobU/s200/DSC_0210.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both">Crusader halls, recently excavated:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSwgBTtWI/AAAAAAAABD0/ML2P0hagKkA/s1600-h/DSC_0227.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274861687996134754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQSwgBTtWI/AAAAAAAABD0/ML2P0hagKkA/s200/DSC_0227.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Templar tunnels under the city:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTnWN9ZGI/AAAAAAAABEE/o4VGihLoeno/s1600-h/DSC_0269.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274862630257648738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTnWN9ZGI/AAAAAAAABEE/o4VGihLoeno/s200/DSC_0269.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Old Turkish bathhouse (hammam) now a tourist sight:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTmxKskYI/AAAAAAAABD8/UIFD_sYXJRA/s1600-h/DSC_0246.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274862620311851394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQTmxKskYI/AAAAAAAABD8/UIFD_sYXJRA/s200/DSC_0246.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div style="CLEAR: both">Sunset over Akko:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQToVY39LI/AAAAAAAABEc/Wn_KASElW88/s1600-h/DSC_0312.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274862647214863538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQToVY39LI/AAAAAAAABEc/Wn_KASElW88/s200/DSC_0312.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Last photo in Akko:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQT5M7vnTI/AAAAAAAABEk/giUgekGe0Zo/s1600-h/DSC_0326.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274862937002974514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STQT5M7vnTI/AAAAAAAABEk/giUgekGe0Zo/s200/DSC_0326.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-89338378599246867432008-11-30T18:40:00.005+02:002008-11-30T19:41:59.022+02:00Akko (Acre)<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFmSoqOtI/AAAAAAAABCs/AIVAfEsMPMM/s1600-h/DSC_0122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274495375232350930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFmSoqOtI/AAAAAAAABCs/AIVAfEsMPMM/s200/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" /></a>Finally I got to see the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_rock">Dome of the Rock</a>. I'm happy that I made the effort to, it's quite stunning. Even with tourists about, the mosque is quite big and people are but specs in the background. I made my way around it looking for the best light and took a number of photos. Satisfied, I returned to the hotel, packed my things and boarded the bus to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a>.<br /><br />Getting to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a> wasn't as simple as most of my destinations have been. Most places on my list have been fairly popular and the bus routes have been direct. <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a> it seems is visited less frequently. I had to take a bus to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa">Haifa</a>'s southern bus station, transfer to a local bus which took me to the northern bus station and finally board a bus for <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a>.<br /><br />The experience was rewarding. On the way to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa">Haifa</a> I met Daniel, who was born in Montreal but moved to Israel as a child. We had a great conversation regarding Jewish beliefs, religions, the conflict in the area, etc. I said goodbye to him at the first bus station and on my way to the second I met a guy from <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia">Ethiopia</a>. He told me his name but I couldn't say it, let alone write it out. He was also nice to talk with and helped me find the bus to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a>. On the way to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a> I met a German girl, Sara, who has been volunteering in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem">Jerusalem</a> for ten months. She told me about her experiences and it was interesting to hear how she felt about Germany's past and the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust">Holocaust</a>. This is one of the benefits of traveling alone, it's easy to talk to and meet people.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFneBskSI/AAAAAAAABDE/MaLbQzqyQTY/s1600-h/DSC_0149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274495395470020898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFneBskSI/AAAAAAAABDE/MaLbQzqyQTY/s200/DSC_0149.JPG" border="0" /></a>I didn't get a lot of time to explore <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko">Akko</a>. It's a pretty small place and it reminds me a lot of <a target="_blank" href="http://markoinindia.blogspot.com/2007/11/two-or-three-days-in-daman.html">Daman</a>, a place I visited in India. I walked around the harbour and took some photos as the sun was going down, then I spent quite a while walking about trying to find an internet cafe. As this place is not that touristy, it was quite the task. Everyone I asked told me there isn't one in this area, but I found a coffee place that lets you use their computers if you buy a drink.<br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFm-aqMfI/AAAAAAAABC0/yqTKyLbmVTA/s1600-h/DSC_0137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274495386984788466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFm-aqMfI/AAAAAAAABC0/yqTKyLbmVTA/s200/DSC_0137.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Akko harbour:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFmyxziYI/AAAAAAAABC8/RAjqwzQsn3s/s1600-h/DSC_0145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274495383860644226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFmyxziYI/AAAAAAAABC8/RAjqwzQsn3s/s200/DSC_0145.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Akko lighthouse:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFnv5iU5I/AAAAAAAABDM/Awf2z1vwW6Y/s1600-h/DSC_0153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274495400267633554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STLFnv5iU5I/AAAAAAAABDM/Awf2z1vwW6Y/s200/DSC_0153.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-69975050837562978252008-11-29T17:24:00.006+02:002008-11-29T19:57:40.746+02:00Last Day in Jerusalem<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFllIdhykI/AAAAAAAABBk/qEVmFS_hQpE/s1600-h/DSC_0093.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274108327228459586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Minaret in the citadel" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFllIdhykI/AAAAAAAABBk/qEVmFS_hQpE/s200/DSC_0093.JPG" border="0" /></a>It seems I'm here at the worst time, with religious Jewish, Islamic and Christian days between Friday - Sunday, everything is closed down. It's a good thing I chose to stay here for a few days. Though I still haven't seen the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_rock" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a>. It's supposed to open tomorrow.<br /><br />It's been pretty relaxing today. I was in no hurry as I walked around the old city. I made my way to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_wall" target="_blank">Western Wall</a>, where I was disappointed to find out that photos weren't allowed. I guess it's a recent rule, even note taking is not allowed. I asked the security where I could take a photo of the wall and they pointed me to a high spot just above the grounds.<br /><br />Security is everywhere here. I suppose it's needed with so many religious groups butting heads. High security is present at every entrance in the old city and seeing 20 year olds totting rifles is quite common. There were five or six on the bus that I took here. Yesterday a street was closed off because the security thought there was a bomb. It turned out to be nothing.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIdt_JGI/AAAAAAAABCU/6B1hNsisQ44/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274110033741685858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Streets of the Jewish quarter" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIdt_JGI/AAAAAAAABCU/6B1hNsisQ44/s200/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" /></a>I left the old city for a bit, hoping to check out some restaurants, only to find everything closed. On my way back I stopped by the <a href="http://www.world66.com/asia/middleeast/israel/jerusalem/sights/churchofdormition" target="_blank">Dormition Church</a>, which is known as the place where the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary" target="_blank">Virgin Mary</a> died and where the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Supper" target="_blank">Last Supper</a> was held. The church is pretty interesting from the outside. On the inside it's pretty modern looking and lacks the atmosphere and art contained within the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulchre</a>.<br /><br />Around noon I decided to rest for a bit. I find the light the worst for photos around noon, so I took care of some necessities, like getting my laundry done and putting some food in my belly. I also checked out of the hotel I was in for one that's a little cleaner and has free internet.<br /><br />My last sight seeing for the day involved touring the old city citadel, which is now known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_David" target="_blank">David's Tower Museum</a>, and I also walked along the ramparts of the western and southern walls. The museum was more interesting than I thought it would be. Rooms are broken into different time periods of Jerusalem, such as the Crusader, Islamic, Mamluk and Ottoman periods.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll make one more attempt to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_rock" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a> before boarding a bus to Haifa where I'll transfer to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko" target="_blank">Akko</a> (once known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akko" target="_blank">Acre</a>).<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock in the background:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIIteBOI/AAAAAAAABCM/LpeIdty5Pp8/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274110028102370530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIIteBOI/AAAAAAAABCM/LpeIdty5Pp8/s200/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Damascus gate with shops set-up around it:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIyKwoqI/AAAAAAAABCk/QuZeiorJWgA/s1600-h/DSC_0055.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274110039231079074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIyKwoqI/AAAAAAAABCk/QuZeiorJWgA/s200/DSC_0055.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Dormition Church:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIa6VZvI/AAAAAAAABCc/PmVKfhyf3nA/s1600-h/DSC_0029.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274110032988169970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFnIa6VZvI/AAAAAAAABCc/PmVKfhyf3nA/s200/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Old Jerusalem's David Street:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFlmX9ku-I/AAAAAAAABB8/DxPmsLYp4sc/s1600-h/DSC_0075.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274108348569271266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFlmX9ku-I/AAAAAAAABB8/DxPmsLYp4sc/s200/DSC_0075.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">View of the Citadel from the Tower of David, the minaret in the centre is often confused for the Tower of David:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFllU-3p1I/AAAAAAAABBs/hOX4TirHOfg/s1600-h/DSC_0087.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274108330589529938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFllU-3p1I/AAAAAAAABBs/hOX4TirHOfg/s200/DSC_0087.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Streets of Old Jerusalem :<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFlmiHCcUI/AAAAAAAABCE/M6LJobvURBI/s1600-h/DSC_0062.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274108351293321538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFlmiHCcUI/AAAAAAAABCE/M6LJobvURBI/s200/DSC_0062.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Security at Jaffa Gate:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFll5YdCfI/AAAAAAAABB0/0NMeNKmGfh0/s1600-h/DSC_0079.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274108340360514034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFll5YdCfI/AAAAAAAABB0/0NMeNKmGfh0/s200/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Ethopian priest near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFiau8QCCI/AAAAAAAABBc/SlCDorGjikA/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274104850044422178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STFiau8QCCI/AAAAAAAABBc/SlCDorGjikA/s200/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-16080490685750247002008-11-28T17:51:00.007+02:002008-11-28T18:52:40.722+02:00Jerusalem - Day 2<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfUSqh9uI/AAAAAAAABBU/w88cXgXAqz8/s1600-h/DSC_0131.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749597118920418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Church of the Redeemer" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfUSqh9uI/AAAAAAAABBU/w88cXgXAqz8/s200/DSC_0131.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm loving it here. It's a diverse place in terms of religion, people, buildings, food, etc. Walking through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_of_Jerusalem" target="_blank">Old Jerusalem</a>, I've heard all sorts of languages and seen people from all over the world. Today a man from Congo helped me and a guy from Belgium our way around a blocked street through a monastery. While looking around a shop I heard a group speaking Croatian. There's lots of Russian and Polish people too. It's really amazing. Most seem to be here for religious purposes, but a lot of tourists too. The most tourists I've seen in one place during my whole trip.<br /><br />The day was pretty rainy. I was up early as usual, trying to beat the crowds, but this time it didn't help. There's just no avoiding tourists here. I immediately walked over to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a>, only to find it closed again. I was told it would open on Sunday to non-muslims, and I'm wondering if I'll get a chance to see it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAedAprK2I/AAAAAAAABAc/GlYAUVsulLw/s1600-h/DSC_0027.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273748647390686050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="A painting in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAedAprK2I/AAAAAAAABAc/GlYAUVsulLw/s200/DSC_0027.jpg" border="0" /></a>My second stop and the highlight of my day was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulchre</a>. This is where many believe Jesus was crucified and buried. It's a really beautiful church. Inside are so many incredible paintings and the atmosphere is pretty amazing. It was quite relaxing walking through it. There were three giant tour groups already inside when I got there and this was around 7:30 am. Some people seemed really touched to be here and seemed to be in tears.<br /><br />After the church visit, I made my way to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_of_olives" target="_blank">Mount of Olives</a>, hoping to get a good view of the city. The view from the top was terrific, but I wasn't able to get very good photos as my telephoto lens seems to be malfunctioning. Good thing there's a five year warranty on it. On the way down I stopped by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominus_Flevit" target="_blank">Dominus Flevit Church</a>, where Jesus is said to have wept over the desctruction of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple" target="_blank">Second Temple</a> and the dispora of the Jewish people. I left the old city for a bit, walking through new Jerusalem, which is quite modern. Often it reminded me of walking along Stephen Avenue in Calgary.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAebSU-moI/AAAAAAAAA_8/NFTKjILJ6gw/s1600-h/DSC_0012.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273748617775979138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchure" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAebSU-moI/AAAAAAAAA_8/NFTKjILJ6gw/s200/DSC_0012.jpg" border="0" /></a>Coming back through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffa_Gate" target="_blank">Jaffa Gate</a>, I stopped by the Church of the Redeemer. It looks like a fairly new church compared to most of the other ones in the neighborhood, but what it offers is access to one of it's towers and the best view of the old city. I climbed up and took a few photos just as the rain was easing up and the clouds were starting to clear. As I climbed down, the church was closing and they actually locked me inside the tower. I started knocking on the door and was thinking of who I could call on my cell to get out, but after a few minutes my knocks were heard and they let me out. It seemed like they were just about to leave too. I guess I took a while up on the tower and they forgot about me.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll check out more of what this place has to offer, hopefully without rain.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Church of the Holy Sepulchre:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfUNCwbDI/AAAAAAAABBM/p0m0fP13Xp0/s1600-h/DSC_0115.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749595609918514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfUNCwbDI/AAAAAAAABBM/p0m0fP13Xp0/s200/DSC_0115.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAedGbXF1I/AAAAAAAABAU/DO27GeiDnN4/s1600-h/DSC_0022.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273748648941262674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAedGbXF1I/AAAAAAAABAU/DO27GeiDnN4/s200/DSC_0022.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAec4UDocI/AAAAAAAABAM/fvskQuKgqeY/s1600-h/DSC_0018.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273748645152530882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAec4UDocI/AAAAAAAABAM/fvskQuKgqeY/s200/DSC_0018.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAebxRkWhI/AAAAAAAABAE/SUIZ_ekutsg/s1600-h/DSC_0013.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273748626083174930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAebxRkWhI/AAAAAAAABAE/SUIZ_ekutsg/s200/DSC_0013.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Dominus Flevit Church (shapred like a tear):<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJIIprjI/AAAAAAAABAs/9ciTRYNiR5w/s1600-h/DSC_0072.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749405313904178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJIIprjI/AAAAAAAABAs/9ciTRYNiR5w/s200/DSC_0072.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">View from the Mount of Olives:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfI_KRbrI/AAAAAAAABAk/eB9VYkq5iw8/s1600-h/DSC_0055.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749402904784562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfI_KRbrI/AAAAAAAABAk/eB9VYkq5iw8/s200/DSC_0055.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">A musician in front of the Jaffa Gate:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJYk9xcI/AAAAAAAABA8/AzbE-hYiqNg/s1600-h/DSC_0101.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749409727628738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJYk9xcI/AAAAAAAABA8/AzbE-hYiqNg/s200/DSC_0101.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Damascus Gate:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJOBYiGI/AAAAAAAABA0/N_tKxNC-DSA/s1600-h/DSC_0088.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749406894032994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJOBYiGI/AAAAAAAABA0/N_tKxNC-DSA/s200/DSC_0088.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Church of the Redeemer:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJtilNFI/AAAAAAAABBE/kdm_8QIJFvo/s1600-h/DSC_0109.jpg" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273749415354774610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/STAfJtilNFI/AAAAAAAABBE/kdm_8QIJFvo/s200/DSC_0109.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-55960880515958072222008-11-27T08:36:00.005+02:002008-11-27T18:24:34.829+02:00Shalom from Jerusalem!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HEEvcQOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/S1n64NaPtZ8/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371086503559394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HEEvcQOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/S1n64NaPtZ8/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" /></a>I am in Israel. I got to the border this morning at 6:00 am, only to find that it didn't open until 7:00. This is on the Jordan side. When I finally got through, I went through some heavy interrogation and I started to wonder if they would let me in. They let me go through, after making me sit a while "for an answer." I crossed the border to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eilat" target="_blank">Eilat</a>, where I booked a bus to Jerusalem. That's where I'm writing from now.<br /><br />The ride to Jerusalem was about four hours. I had a window seat and enjoyed the scenery. On the way here, the bus passed next to the Dead Sea, which was quite the sight. The water was quite still and the reflections were amazing. I was hoping the bus would pull over for a break, but it didn't. I took a photo from the window.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HWLVigVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/nTFin6XyA_Y/s1600-h/DSC_0042.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371397511610706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HWLVigVI/AAAAAAAAA_s/nTFin6XyA_Y/s200/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" /></a>When I finally got to Jerusalem, it was late in the afternoon. I got some food (a "corn pizza") and then made my way to the old city section where I looked for a hotel room. By the time I found one and settled in, the sun was already setting. I walked around for a bit, but really didn't see much. There seems to be a lot to see here so I may stay for a couple of days. We'll see how much I get to tomorrow.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Passing by the Dead Sea:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HDiqU-UI/AAAAAAAAA-k/8QxEukAN3yA/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371077355305282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HDiqU-UI/AAAAAAAAA-k/8QxEukAN3yA/s200/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Dome of the Rock (was closed when I got there, this was as close as I could get):<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HEtx2-uI/AAAAAAAAA-8/6Als6plpNLs/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371097519553250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HEtx2-uI/AAAAAAAAA-8/6Als6plpNLs/s200/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Lion's Gate:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HE5VVJrI/AAAAAAAAA_E/Sblg0FLCvQM/s1600-h/DSC_0018.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371100621121202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HE5VVJrI/AAAAAAAAA_E/Sblg0FLCvQM/s200/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Mary's Tomb:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HU__UmwI/AAAAAAAAA_U/9eWD0HFzRbA/s1600-h/DSC_0026.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371377285765890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HU__UmwI/AAAAAAAAA_U/9eWD0HFzRbA/s200/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Gethsemane Basilica of Agony:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HU8XNoQI/AAAAAAAAA_M/9GGZduwW9NQ/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371376312230146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HU8XNoQI/AAAAAAAAA_M/9GGZduwW9NQ/s200/DSC_0023.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Zakharias Tomb:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HVcQ3KPI/AAAAAAAAA_c/-z2rSa6WLcQ/s1600-h/DSC_0036.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371384875526386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HVcQ3KPI/AAAAAAAAA_c/-z2rSa6WLcQ/s200/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Below the Mt. of Olives:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HVk4XUDI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Kh7_p3UfLU8/s1600-h/DSC_0037.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371387188695090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HVk4XUDI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Kh7_p3UfLU8/s200/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Streets of the Old City:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HcwY17TI/AAAAAAAAA_0/WTPUznIe268/s1600-h/DSC_0044.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273371510536793394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS7HcwY17TI/AAAAAAAAA_0/WTPUznIe268/s200/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-61898628022048516032008-11-26T17:49:00.006+02:002008-11-26T18:51:17.371+02:00From the desert to the sea<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6wY6abI/AAAAAAAAA-A/7dvW3uRTf4E/s1600-h/DSC_0058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272995992956463538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Sunset in Aqaba" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6wY6abI/AAAAAAAAA-A/7dvW3uRTf4E/s200/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Red Sea that is! I'm now in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqaba">Aqaba</a>, located at the tip of the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_sea">Red Sea</a>, where Egypt, Israel and Jordan meet. <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqaba">Aqaba</a> is not a place I'd stay very long and if I had known better I probably would have just passed through here.<br /><br />Reading the guidebook I thought that there would be some interesting ruins and beaches here. The ruins are in very poor shape. Mostly they're just holes in the ground. There is also a small <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluks">Malmuk</a> fort (originally built by the Crusaders). It's not a sight worth going out of the way for, 95% of it seems recently reconstructed.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272994338472600594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Mamluk " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wac9OJBI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/xt17PnububA/s200/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" />The beaches were a bit of a let down too. This is Jordan's only coastline. It used to be smaller too, until they gave the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_arabia">Saudis</a> 6,000 sq meters of desert for 12 kms of coast line. The problem with such a tiny coast line is that everything is crammed together, Navy docks, Commercial docks, Recreational docks, etc. There really isn't much of a beach and what is accessible to the public is pretty dirty. Broken glass covers the sand, among other things.<br /><br />On the positive side, the weather is amazing and it's quite a laid back place. The lack of sights is probably a good thing, as I wouldn't take much rest otherwise. It's a little cheaper too and I took the opportunity to pig out a little. <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqaba">Aqaba</a> is also 10 km from Israel. Tomorrow I will see about going across the border and taking a bus to Jerusalem.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Streets of Aqaba:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6H2qDZI/AAAAAAAAA9w/m7aTwf6SDK8/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6H2qDZI/AAAAAAAAA9w/m7aTwf6SDK8/s200/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Mamluk fort:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wbOmbNnI/AAAAAAAAA9g/v2b-6M9rRk0/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wbOmbNnI/AAAAAAAAA9g/v2b-6M9rRk0/s200/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Remains of Mamluk fort:<a target="_blank" href="http://http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wbUBBhpI/AAAAAAAAA9o/2GycSMbpraA/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wbUBBhpI/AAAAAAAAA9o/2GycSMbpraA/s200/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Beaches:<a target="_blank" href="http://http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wZu9oAMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/pBqHrtJVTOU/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wZu9oAMI/AAAAAAAAA9I/pBqHrtJVTOU/s200/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a target="_blank" href="http://http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wZ3mlcsI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/JkRG79D45TQ/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1wZ3mlcsI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/JkRG79D45TQ/s200/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Sunset over the Red Sea:<a target="_blank" href="http://http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6YNY1aI/AAAAAAAAA94/M7glwgyMHTw/s1600-h/DSC_0054.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SS1x6YNY1aI/AAAAAAAAA94/M7glwgyMHTw/s200/DSC_0054.JPG.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-72201263587391795092008-11-25T21:07:00.005+02:002008-11-25T21:37:14.555+02:00Petra - Day 2<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQHDPQU6I/AAAAAAAAA8w/Q_c949H3VSc/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677345802605474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQHDPQU6I/AAAAAAAAA8w/Q_c949H3VSc/s200/DSC_0084.JPG" border="0" /></a>Even if these ruins were taken away, the landscape itself is on par if not better than places like <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arches_National_Park">Arches</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyonlands">Canyonlands</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryce_Canyon">Bryce Canyon</a>, etc. This place has been the highlight of my trip. I decided today I would do a lot of hiking and I'm pretty sure I walked more than I did yesterday. My legs are killing me! It's a good pain though.<br /><br />Once again I was the first one to the Treasury, where I took some more photos and then hurried to do my first hike (to the top of the mountain that overlooks the Treasury). I was in a hurry because I wanted to catch the light at just the right angle. I followed the guidebook instructions, made my way to the top of the mountain and got terribly lost.<br /><br />The top of the mountain is a large flat area which is dotted with dome like rocks. It's hard to get your bearings without getting really high up on one of them or finding the edge. I couldn't find the right spot to look down on the Treasury and was getting pretty frustrated. I decided to retrace my steps and start again. When I got back to the beginning I noticed a very obvious and well used trail and felt quite sheepish that I missed it. I also missed the light. Ah well, it was quite an adventure with some really good scrambling. On the downside I came across a few dead donkeys which was a disturbing sight. The smell was just awful!<br /><br />Coming back down into the valley, I did a giant circle, exploring the Royal Tombs, the Christian Tombs (identified as such for bearing a cross), and some tombs at the base of Jabal Madbah. On the outside they have some slight differences, on the inside they're pretty much the same. There's thousands of tombs in this place and archeologists originally thought it was simply a necropolis.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQWbb5aMI/AAAAAAAAA9A/wKpEt7S5SX0/s1600-h/DSC_0140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677609996118210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQWbb5aMI/AAAAAAAAA9A/wKpEt7S5SX0/s200/DSC_0140.JPG" border="0" /></a>By this time the sun was starting to feel quite hot and I was running out of water. I found that whenever I walk past the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin">Bedouin</a>, they offer tea. So I started seeking them out in order to quench my thirst and spend some time with the locals. While sitting down with one of them, I asked them about the dead donkeys and was told that they just died of old age. I wasn't entirely convinced. I was wearing my keffiyeh and while I was trying to make conversation with the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin">Bedouin</a>, a couple of tourists took photos of me. This happened a couple of other times since I bought it, it's quite funny. Sometimes when I approach other tourists to find out where they from, they respond harshly and walk away, thinking that I'm a local trying to sell them something.<br /><br />The second hike I did was to the High Place of Sacrifice (another peak). At the top are some interesting channel carvings, thought to be for channeling the flow of blood following animal sacrifices. I didn't quite figure out where the blood was being channeled or why. The peak offered some more amazing views of the area.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQWSt6RgI/AAAAAAAAA84/o5t4WsX547w/s1600-h/DSC_0136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677607655753218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQWSt6RgI/AAAAAAAAA84/o5t4WsX547w/s200/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" /></a>I didn't take that many photos today, the places I went to weren't the most picturesque in comparison to the Treasury and Monastery, but they were quite interesting and it was great exercise doing all the walking/hiking. At sunset, I did the hike that I attempted in the morning and this time I got the photo I wanted. By the time I was half way down the peak, the sun had set and I was walking back to town in the dark. That was quite an experience in itself, being along among these great ruins.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Me on Jabal Madbah:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGZPoTbI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/HJNPsXH5ApI/s1600-h/DSC_0076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677334529887666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGZPoTbI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/HJNPsXH5ApI/s200/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Theatre:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQG3jaFwI/AAAAAAAAA8o/Q91p8mez9DU/s1600-h/DSC_0082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677342665905922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQG3jaFwI/AAAAAAAAA8o/Q91p8mez9DU/s200/DSC_0082.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Bedouin woman, note the tea cup on the left:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGlXhCoI/AAAAAAAAA8g/bkSN-A-5-5A/s1600-h/DSC_0079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677337784191618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGlXhCoI/AAAAAAAAA8g/bkSN-A-5-5A/s200/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Jabal Madbah:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGGfpp2I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/OZdhytLNJ9U/s1600-h/DSC_0067.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677329496811362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxQGGfpp2I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/OZdhytLNJ9U/s200/DSC_0067.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Street of Facades:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPo-h1RxI/AAAAAAAAA7w/WYfAYDENoqk/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676829142271762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPo-h1RxI/AAAAAAAAA7w/WYfAYDENoqk/s200/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Inside one of the many tombs. Most are just plain, this one had some columns:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPqOdIT8I/AAAAAAAAA8I/KpljUo7hWFw/s1600-h/DSC_0063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676850597384130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPqOdIT8I/AAAAAAAAA8I/KpljUo7hWFw/s200/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Tomb of the soldier:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPpnOeLAI/AAAAAAAAA8A/QMB70p-E5VY/s1600-h/DSC_0062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676840066919426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPpnOeLAI/AAAAAAAAA8A/QMB70p-E5VY/s200/DSC_0062.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Natural arch with stairs that seem to lead to nowhere:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPpBs2ZPI/AAAAAAAAA74/pwRdvIm17YY/s1600-h/DSC_0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676829993788658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPpBs2ZPI/AAAAAAAAA74/pwRdvIm17YY/s200/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">One of the Royal Tombs:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPomHH5gI/AAAAAAAAA7o/Q3CSVaJIUg4/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676822587794946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSxPomHH5gI/AAAAAAAAA7o/Q3CSVaJIUg4/s200/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Ancient wardrobe malfunction depicted in a mosaic:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6PfDPCpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/cxNnZUUYxlA/s1600-h/DSC_0072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272676822587794946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6PfDPCpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/cxNnZUUYxlA/s200/DSC_0072.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-25729919223606788262008-11-24T20:54:00.006+02:002008-11-24T21:18:20.312+02:00Petra - Day 1<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5kJb2fJI/AAAAAAAAA5c/cNth8Z6TZmQ/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272300713193929874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Treasury" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5kJb2fJI/AAAAAAAAA5c/cNth8Z6TZmQ/s200/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" /></a>A good day for burning calories! I walked almost 40 km and still didn't see that much of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a>. I got up super early (4:30am) and was at the ruins at 6:00am. I wanted to be there before any tourists to get photos of the jewels of Petra, The Treasury and Monastery, without any people. I was surprised to find six other people walking to these sights ahead of me. It's a bit of a walk to the main sights so I booked it, passed them and was the first one there.<br /><br />A lot of these ruins were carved out of the soft rock by the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabataeans">Nabataeans</a>. There is Greek, Roman and Egyptian influence in the architecture. The <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabataeans">Nabataeans</a> had a big sphere of influence, but not through might. They repelled armies by paying them off and they earned much of their money by controlling trade routes.<br /><br />The Treasury is the most intact and best preserved among these ruins. It's mid-way through a canyon that leads to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a>'s city centre. Walking through the canyon is incredible. The colours of the surrounding rock are beautiful and there are a few tombs to see on the way, but I decided to leave those for later. I got to the Treasury first and took photos like mad then made my way to the Monastery. It's about three kilometers away and it involved some elevation gain. I got some photos without people there too, then I took it easy and started to enjoy the area.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5lmDaFVI/AAAAAAAAA58/9goUt7IVh14/s1600-h/DSC_0065.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272300738055902546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Mosaics at Petra Church" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5lmDaFVI/AAAAAAAAA58/9goUt7IVh14/s200/DSC_0065.JPG" border="0" /></a>The place is huge and there's lots of opportunity for exploration and hiking. I checked out the city center ruins and then Petra Church, which has the best intact mosaics I've seen so far. Two giant floor panels that are covered in all sorts of depictions. Then decided to climb up a 1,000+ meter peak to get a birds eye view of the area. Considering I go to the Rockies every weekend, I didn't think I would tire out. But with the desert sun, I quickly ran out of water and was soon feeling quite dehydrated. At the top of the peak, I was treated to amazing views of the area. Then I searched out some shade and sat for a while, waiting for the sun to ease up and regaining my energy. It's really neat how cold it gets in the shade. The temperature changed by 15 degrees or more.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6fteFNMI/AAAAAAAAA7E/cO9YwifOLoE/s1600-h/DSC_0203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301736479241410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Column making the way to Egypt" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6fteFNMI/AAAAAAAAA7E/cO9YwifOLoE/s200/DSC_0203.JPG" border="0" /></a>Back down I was invited for some tea by the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin">Bedouin</a>. They offered me the tea for free but then tried to sell me some of their wares. It was good to quench my thirst and enjoy some local hospitality. I told them that I wasn't interested in buying anything and gave them some money for the tea. They refused at first but I insisted and they accepted. I asked them for a photo, but they refused.<br /><br />The sun was setting as I made my way back to town. I had a whole bunch of water and ate some schwarmas and tomorrow I will explore <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a> some more.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Treasury:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5kUpKSTI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Pyach3OWcpg/s1600-h/DSC_0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272300716202543410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5kUpKSTI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Pyach3OWcpg/s200/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">City centre ruins:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6e2YWmlI/AAAAAAAAA60/2PiCFUdWz9s/s1600-h/DSC_0170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301721691265618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6e2YWmlI/AAAAAAAAA60/2PiCFUdWz9s/s200/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Tenemos Gateway:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5lelyIMI/AAAAAAAAA50/NEa-kBw1dQk/s1600-h/DSC_0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272300736052601026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5lelyIMI/AAAAAAAAA50/NEa-kBw1dQk/s200/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Monastery:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6P5v0mTI/AAAAAAAAA6c/_JG7Sbc58UU/s1600-h/DSC_0128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301464896969010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6P5v0mTI/AAAAAAAAA6c/_JG7Sbc58UU/s200/DSC_0128.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">View near the Monastery:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6PokbscI/AAAAAAAAA6M/rMM_giOQuGE/s1600-h/DSC_0107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301460285796802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6PokbscI/AAAAAAAAA6M/rMM_giOQuGE/s200/DSC_0107.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Lion's Tomb:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6QNRmZkI/AAAAAAAAA6k/ZK2EEcTJAzs/s1600-h/DSC_0136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301470138918466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6QNRmZkI/AAAAAAAAA6k/ZK2EEcTJAzs/s200/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Bedouin Camels:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6eYfI3dI/AAAAAAAAA6s/JzKPL7evtYM/s1600-h/DSC_0143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301713666661842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6eYfI3dI/AAAAAAAAA6s/JzKPL7evtYM/s200/DSC_0143.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Silk Tomb:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5khVazaI/AAAAAAAAA5s/YV8SB9McnMw/s1600-h/DSC_0029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272300719609400738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr5khVazaI/AAAAAAAAA5s/YV8SB9McnMw/s200/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">More tombs:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6fX7i2RI/AAAAAAAAA68/0VjboEM4Wtk/s1600-h/DSC_0200.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301730697238802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6fX7i2RI/AAAAAAAAA68/0VjboEM4Wtk/s200/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Air-conditioned taxi:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6P1aXQ2I/AAAAAAAAA6U/u9cfCqmEXro/s1600-h/DSC_0108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301463733224290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSr6P1aXQ2I/AAAAAAAAA6U/u9cfCqmEXro/s200/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-29554774533052682092008-11-23T17:53:00.003+02:002008-11-23T18:49:59.013+02:00In Jordan<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAM4YM8kI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/M4TSqt9eSfs/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271885797594559042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAM4YM8kI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/M4TSqt9eSfs/s200/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a>I left <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a> this morning and crossed the border to Jordan. Right away I have to say that <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan">Jordan</a> did not meet my expectations. Reading about it I noticed it had a more moderate government and it seemed to be more modernized. It was more expensive and I figured that would mean better service. Really Jordans buses are terrible compared to Syria and I believe Syria has more to offer.<br /><br />In Syria I've found the people friendlier too. Here I have yet to meet someone who hasn't tried to rip me off. It happened in Syria too, but there they'd take you for a dollar or two max, here they try to take you for a lot more. Perhaps it's because there's more tourists here.<br /><br />Crossing the border I went to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amman">Amman</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan">Jordan</a>. I've been hearing that it's not a place worth spending time in so right away I transfered to a bus to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a>. On the way to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a> the bus driver tried to ask for $10 more for the ticket. The person beside me pretended to pay the same price to make it seem like I wasn't being tricked. This seemed to get some objections from the people behind me and I got some of my money back. I wasn't in a mood to argue. However the objections didn't stop from the people in the back and pretty soon the bus driver was in a heated argument, waving hands, turning the bus around threatening to go back to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amman">Amman</a> and swearing on the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran">Quran</a> that he wasn't ripping anyone off. Pretty crazy for my first day.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAMi25hwI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Lm7dF2P58aU/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271885791817729794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAMi25hwI/AAAAAAAAA5I/Lm7dF2P58aU/s200/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" /></a>Things worked out though and I arrived in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a>. Unfortunately I arrived too late in the day to see much. I'm in a village next to the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra">Petra</a> ruins called <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Musa">Wadi Musa</a> (Valley of Moses). <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Crusade">Indiana Jones - The Last Crusade</a> was filmed here, and you can buy an Indiana Jones whip and hat at almost every store. I think the ruins are vast and there seem to be some hiking possibilities. I may stay three days here then figure out what to do next.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Wadi Musa:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAMMXwZdI/AAAAAAAAA5A/miCmSMHDaWw/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271885785781528018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSmAMMXwZdI/AAAAAAAAA5A/miCmSMHDaWw/s200/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-37617539692312766892008-11-22T19:56:00.008+02:002008-11-22T22:03:06.912+02:00A gloomy day in Damascus<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfZRzgtTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/zJSX8UV48rc/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271568251717989682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfZRzgtTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/zJSX8UV48rc/s200/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a>I have to take a paragraph out of todays post to wish Jenn (my girlfriend) a happy birthday! The photo is not from <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a>, but I was thinking ahead. Hope you're having a good time! Now back to the regularly scheduled blog...<br /><br />Feeling gross today. I'm pretty sure that it's something I ate, perhaps I've been too adventurous trying food on the street. It's hard to resist trying stuff, there's so many things I've never seen before. There's a 1000 versions of baklava. But it came back to haunt me. It was really difficult to explore <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a> with the same vigor that I've had since the beginning of my trip. To top it off, it rained all day! It made photography really difficult and the temperature uncomfortably chilly.<br /><br />I was afraid of coming to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a>. It's the biggest city in Syria and I dread big cities. Surprisingly, it doesn't feel that big. Out of all the places I've been, here I've felt most comfortable with the orientation of the place. It's the first place I've gone out and walked for quite a while without a map or GPS.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfaH1mNbI/AAAAAAAAA3w/hi-6b3vI4Oc/s1600-h/DSC_0509.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271568266222253490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfaH1mNbI/AAAAAAAAA3w/hi-6b3vI4Oc/s200/DSC_0509.JPG" border="0" /></a><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a> is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) places still inhabited. That was quite apparent when I walked through the "Old Damascus" area. There's ruins on top of ruins on top of ruins with modern buildings built next to them. Some ruins are still being used as modern structures. The biggest mosque here, the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_Mosque">Umayyad Mosque</a>, is thought to have been built on a place of worship since 3,000 BC. It's a magnificent mosque, considered the third most important after Mecca and Medina.<br /><br />The mosque is surrounded by a market or "<a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souq">souq</a>" that makes West Edmonton Mall look tiny. Whoever said it was the biggest mall in the world has never been to the middle east. The market in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a> has been my favorite so far, more so than Istanbul's. I think part of that is that it's easier to navigate. It's surrounded by fortifications.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhET07-WI/AAAAAAAAA4w/u4jYFTEAVUo/s1600-h/DSC_0611.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271570090506844514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhET07-WI/AAAAAAAAA4w/u4jYFTEAVUo/s200/DSC_0611.JPG" border="0" /></a>The old city is interesting in terms of religion too. Long ago it was split into quarters; Christian, Muslim, Jewish. It used to have walls dividing each quarter and the gates used to close at sunset. There's quite a difference in the architecture as you walk among the different quarters. Orthodox churches with towers bearing the cross and Islamic minarets decorated with the crescent moon; it's quite the sight. The fourth quarter is the Citadel (which is closed for restoration) and a palace.<br /><br />I really wish I could have seen more of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a>. I just really lacked the energy today. Tomorrow my plan is to get a bus to Amman, Jordan. I may stay longer in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a> if I don't feel better tomorrow.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Walking towards the marketplace:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfZ02BKII/AAAAAAAAA3o/nrq1OoiIWEY/s1600-h/DSC_0501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271568261123745922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfZ02BKII/AAAAAAAAA3o/nrq1OoiIWEY/s200/DSC_0501.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Statue of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saladin">Saladin</a> on a horse, note the placement of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England">King Richard "the Lionheart"</a>:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfa8OWgNI/AAAAAAAAA34/xAA1J56_544/s1600-h/DSC_0510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271568280284725458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfa8OWgNI/AAAAAAAAA34/xAA1J56_544/s200/DSC_0510.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Inside the souq:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfbD8Dz_I/AAAAAAAAA4A/aWdUYtnGzRo/s1600-h/DSC_0513.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271568282355486706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShfbD8Dz_I/AAAAAAAAA4A/aWdUYtnGzRo/s200/DSC_0513.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Roman ruins next to the marketplace, Umayyad Mosque in the background:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShgkoej8kI/AAAAAAAAA4I/8YRT4rjG1uc/s1600-h/DSC_0521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271569546294325826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShgkoej8kI/AAAAAAAAA4I/8YRT4rjG1uc/s200/DSC_0521.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Umayyad Mosque:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShglfRUOII/AAAAAAAAA4Y/I0SDyQxBE7M/s1600-h/DSC_0583.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271569561002719362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShglfRUOII/AAAAAAAAA4Y/I0SDyQxBE7M/s200/DSC_0583.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Umayyad Mosque:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShglJQCMHI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/YvaJn7D8cu4/s1600-h/DSC_0547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271569555091763314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShglJQCMHI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/YvaJn7D8cu4/s200/DSC_0547.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Azem Palace:<a target="_blank" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhEOR1o6I/AAAAAAAAA4o/u4tM9ONECvY/s1600-h/DSC_0603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271570089017451426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhEOR1o6I/AAAAAAAAA4o/u4tM9ONECvY/s200/DSC_0603.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Azem Palace:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhDnSVJ2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/xntv0vA0_-E/s1600-h/DSC_0592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271570078550533986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhDnSVJ2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/xntv0vA0_-E/s200/DSC_0592.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Roman ruins in the old Damascus area:<a target="_blank" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhjKGqI8I/AAAAAAAAA44/Rf5Ts2G0U6k/s1600-h/DSC_0620.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271570620472763330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SShhjKGqI8I/AAAAAAAAA44/Rf5Ts2G0U6k/s200/DSC_0620.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-3444759049246503342008-11-21T20:14:00.010+02:002008-11-21T21:42:24.712+02:00Palmyra's desert<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MIiKujI/AAAAAAAAA0w/lmJQ16YWx1Q/s1600-h/DSC_0044.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 133px; height: 200px;" alt="Palmyra ruins" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MIiKujI/AAAAAAAAA0w/lmJQ16YWx1Q/s200/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" /></a>Today I spent most of the time exploring the desert sights around <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra">Palmyra</a>. Specifically the Valley of the Tombs, where the rich and royal were buried, and the Qala'at ibn Maan (an Arab built castle), a more recent addition to the area.<br /><br />I woke up very early and tried to get to the ruins before the sunrise, but was a little late. It seems the sun rises much earlier here than it does in Turkey. I still managed to get good light and some good photos.<br /><br />The main ruins are very close to the town site, at most a five minute walk. The rest are a little further but still walkable. I spent a good portion of the day walking and got some pretty good exercise. The first on my list was exploring the Valley of the Tombs. Most of the tombs are in pretty poor condition and the decoration and loot has been either sold or put in museums. The tombs are generally free standing towers with multiple levels, but there were also some cave like tombs. The best tomb contained amazing frescoes including one portraying a scene with <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles">Achilles</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odysseus">Ulysses</a>. Unfortunately photography was not allowed.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7x5N62WI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Kn-zAEhN6hU/s1600-h/DSC_0169.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Marko at the castle" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7x5N62WI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/Kn-zAEhN6hU/s200/DSC_0169.JPG" border="0" /></a>Overlooking the Valley of the Tombs and the main ruins is the Qala'at ibn Maan. The hike to it was steep and I was really starting to feel the desert sun. I decided to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keffiyeh">keffiyeh</a> from the many <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouin">Bedouin</a> selling wares near the ruins. It really helped and it made me look more Arabic which made for less hassle during my exploration. The castle was nice, but it paled in comparison to the castles I've seen up to this point. The best thing about it was the view of the surrounding area.<br /><br />When I returned to the town, I sat down in the hotel lobby to look through photos, when a man who was driving a couple from France around Syria asked me if I'm going to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a>. I told him I was and he told me I could join them for free if I packed now. I quickly packed my stuff and jumped in the car. To my surprise he recruited another person and there were five of us in the vehicle. Another surprise was that the French couple were looking to split the cost of the trip. It was more money than I was planning to spend, but they could have asked for more too. The couple was extremely nice and it was a pleasant way of getting to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus">Damascus</a>. Tomorrow I'll explore the capital of Syria.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Early morning light over the ruins:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MJzBZGI/AAAAAAAAA04/4Ff0poU_09w/s1600-h/DSC_0047.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MJzBZGI/AAAAAAAAA04/4Ff0poU_09w/s200/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Light creating depth over the ruins:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MQ48aOI/AAAAAAAAA1I/rpfrawH7qBE/s1600-h/DSC_0083.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MQ48aOI/AAAAAAAAA1I/rpfrawH7qBE/s200/DSC_0083.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Bedouin woman:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MY9TWFI/AAAAAAAAA1A/z5pQGzFb6ZY/s1600-h/DSC_0068.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7MY9TWFI/AAAAAAAAA1A/z5pQGzFb6ZY/s200/DSC_0068.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Valley of the Tombs:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7yQn2LfI/AAAAAAAAA1g/pmnPWN70c_I/s1600-h/DSC_0135.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7yQn2LfI/AAAAAAAAA1g/pmnPWN70c_I/s200/DSC_0135.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Castle overlooking the tombs:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7voFPKzI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/lSuCeK5Zyl8/s1600-h/DSC_0099.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb7voFPKzI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/lSuCeK5Zyl8/s200/DSC_0099.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Inside the castle:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb8bKimfSI/AAAAAAAAA14/hGKkamVOk4c/s1600-h/DSC_0176.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb8bKimfSI/AAAAAAAAA14/hGKkamVOk4c/s200/DSC_0176.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Overlooking the main ruins:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb70fM8FCI/AAAAAAAAA1o/SyJQFEV7lHQ/s1600-h/DSC_0138.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb70fM8FCI/AAAAAAAAA1o/SyJQFEV7lHQ/s200/DSC_0138.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Friendly locals met on the way up to the castle:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb71JV4frI/AAAAAAAAA1w/D0gvQ-sW55w/s1600-h/DSC_0149.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSb71JV4frI/AAAAAAAAA1w/D0gvQ-sW55w/s200/DSC_0149.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Palmyra locals:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSTb8LGI/AAAAAAAAA24/QOtSxSqrRTE/s1600-h/DSC_0422.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSTb8LGI/AAAAAAAAA24/QOtSxSqrRTE/s200/DSC_0422.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSaIGu0I/AAAAAAAAA2w/TQG3iPH-rM4/s1600-h/DSC_0406.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSaIGu0I/AAAAAAAAA2w/TQG3iPH-rM4/s200/DSC_0406.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Driving to Damascus:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSz4blHI/AAAAAAAAA3A/96FwYc1V-4c/s1600-h/DSC_0428.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SScOSz4blHI/AAAAAAAAA3A/96FwYc1V-4c/s200/DSC_0428.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-67659640498244944082008-11-20T19:56:00.009+02:002008-11-21T20:34:20.659+02:00Palmyra<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgseoizI/AAAAAAAAAzw/QQpa_Vc3OCA/s1600-h/DSC_0131.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Marko at the Temple of Bel" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgseoizI/AAAAAAAAAzw/QQpa_Vc3OCA/s200/DSC_0131.JPG" border="0" /></a>The name <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra">Palmyra</a> means city of palm trees. It's an ancient place built around an oasis and fought over by many ancient super powers, as it was a key stop for caravans going through the desert. It was the throne of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenobia">Queen Zenobia</a>, who defied the Roman empire and conquered the surrounding area.<br /><br />I didn't know what to expect from <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmyra">Palmyra</a>. I really didn't read familiarize myself with the sights of Syria as I didn't expect to cross the border. I've come to realize that this is the place to see if traveling through this country. It rivals everything I've seen on my trip, including Turkey.<br /><br />I got off the bus around lunch time, found a hotel and immediately left to explore the ruins. Right off the bat I noticed that it's a vast area. Most of it one can explore for free, it's just too big to build a wall around it and charge admission. Though the best sights among the ruins are closed off and a ticket is required.<br /><br />Like with previous tourists sights, there were locals patrolling the area trying to sell you junk. In addition there were also camel owners offering tourists a ride for $2-$20 dollars. The price kept getting smaller as I walked away. :) My experience riding camels in India left me quite sore and I didn't have any desire to do it again.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWnRzPzJ-I/AAAAAAAAA0I/cLeoSY1VrCw/s1600-h/DSC_0196.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="The Tetrapylon" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWnRzPzJ-I/AAAAAAAAA0I/cLeoSY1VrCw/s200/DSC_0196.JPG" border="0" /></a>I spent the entire afternoon walking around and taking photos and was surprised to see very few tourists. The sun started to go down and it was pretty cloudy so I thought there wouldn't be much of a sunset. But just as I started heading back to town, the colours in the clouds started turning red, orange and purple and I broke out the camera. Unfortunately I was far from the really good silhouettes, but I managed to capture some of the colour.<br /><br />In an entire afternoon I think I only managed to see a third of the interesting sights. In addition to the ruins there is a citadel that overlooks the oasis and some tomb towers in the nearby hills. This will be my agenda for tomorrow.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Temple of Ba'al Shamin:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgI9Y4XI/AAAAAAAAAy4/_UL3FonImRE/s1600-h/DSC_0018.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgI9Y4XI/AAAAAAAAAy4/_UL3FonImRE/s200/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">The Tetrapylon, the centre of the ancient city:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgS6E0fI/AAAAAAAAAzA/SDWJbuxL_dA/s1600-h/DSC_0019.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgS6E0fI/AAAAAAAAAzA/SDWJbuxL_dA/s200/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">The Great Colonnade:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgTPVpvI/AAAAAAAAAzI/uhzKfSi0jt0/s1600-h/DSC_0036.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgTPVpvI/AAAAAAAAAzI/uhzKfSi0jt0/s200/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">A camel ridden down The Great Colonnade:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlggxlrWI/AAAAAAAAAzY/Zp5XvjvuvRQ/s1600-h/DSC_0054.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlggxlrWI/AAAAAAAAAzY/Zp5XvjvuvRQ/s200/DSC_0054.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">The Monumental Arch:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgnxQsSI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/8P9fVxX7G70/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWlgnxQsSI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/8P9fVxX7G70/s200/DSC_0050.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">The camel owners:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgY1hYZI/AAAAAAAAAzg/CKVGgaYh8nk/s1600-h/DSC_0081.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgY1hYZI/AAAAAAAAAzg/CKVGgaYh8nk/s200/DSC_0081.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">The Temple of Bel:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgaXUrAI/AAAAAAAAAzo/RaSCNjYYAMA/s1600-h/DSC_0087.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgaXUrAI/AAAAAAAAAzo/RaSCNjYYAMA/s200/DSC_0087.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Funerary Temple:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgpjj_zI/AAAAAAAAAz4/vBkdVhNQieI/s1600-h/DSC_0171.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmgpjj_zI/AAAAAAAAAz4/vBkdVhNQieI/s200/DSC_0171.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;">Funerary Temple:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmg_VMeYI/AAAAAAAAA0A/ctMPbMwPMnk/s1600-h/DSC_0191.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 133px;" alt="Palmyra" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSWmg_VMeYI/AAAAAAAAA0A/ctMPbMwPMnk/s200/DSC_0191.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-11301020849073876112008-11-19T22:48:00.016+02:002008-11-20T08:04:32.769+02:00Apamea, Masyaf & Krak des Chevaliers<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8GccljwI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/a9edmRYIwUY/s1600-h/DSC_0092.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8GccljwI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/a9edmRYIwUY/s200/DSC_0092.JPG" border="0" /></a>I can not complain enough about the lack of decent internet cafes, government website restrictions and decent connections in Syria. I just lost two hours of work because the internet cafe owner decided to reboot all the computers without warning. Ahh! That said, most of my day was quite enjoyable. I went to the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apamea_(Syria)">Apamea ruins</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masyaf">Masyaf Fortress</a> and the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers">Krak des Chevaliers</a> crusader castle.<br /><br />Through my hotel I arranged a tour of the sights I menioned above. Normally others would join in but no one in the hotel seemed to want to do this tour, so I was on my own. The benefit was having no one in my photos. On the downside, I had to pay a lot more for the tour. It was all worth it when I got to <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apamea_(Syria)">Apamea</a> and was the only person there, just as the sun was rising. It was a beautiful sight and very picturesque. <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apamea_(Syria)">Apamea</a> is most popular because of it's long column lined roads. The site has passed through many hands, including the Crusaders, but went through its golden age during the Roman period.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8ui7sw4I/AAAAAAAAAxA/TYy_YjJdgi0/s1600-h/DSC_0352.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8ui7sw4I/AAAAAAAAAxA/TYy_YjJdgi0/s200/DSC_0352.JPG" border="0" /></a><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masyaf">Masyaf fortress</a> was my second stop for today. This is the castle that was once occupied by <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashshashin">"THE" Assassins</a> and part of the inspiration behind me traveling through the middle east. It was part of my inspiration to see the middle east, as it was featured in a video game called "Assassin's Creed." The game story line was based on actual places and characters during the Crusader period.<br /><br />My third stop of the day was the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers">Krak des Chevaliers</a>. I didn't know much about it, aside from it being a major Crusader stronghold. It was easily the highlight of the day. The castle is huge, boasting two defensive walls. It was easy to get lost among its many corridors. In fact, I did get lost. I had a great time imagining battles it must have seen as I traced my way along the exterior fortifications.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9E6Kg7VI/AAAAAAAAAxo/AiO_S55XSqc/s1600-h/DSC_0402.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9E6Kg7VI/AAAAAAAAAxo/AiO_S55XSqc/s200/DSC_0402.JPG" border="0" /></a>During the sightseeing I met Aaron from Australia and Mariee from Quebec. I met them at <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masyaf">Masyaf</a> and ran into them again at <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_Chevaliers">Krak des Chevaliers</a>. They were incredibly friendly and when they found out I was staying in Hama they invited me out for dinner. It was great to have some company. We ate, played backgammon and shared travel stories. Walking around Hama we also met a number of locals who were happy to tell us of Syrian customs and instruct us in the way of the Arabic language. The friendliest of all was Hassan, in the middle of the photo on the left flanked by Mariee and Aaron.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Apamea ruins:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8GED9ZuI/AAAAAAAAAwI/XTYbuT0jrhA/s1600-h/DSC_0081.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8GED9ZuI/AAAAAAAAAwI/XTYbuT0jrhA/s200/DSC_0081.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Masyaf fortress:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8Gv6Vd9I/AAAAAAAAAwY/yLTtxnCEqiM/s1600-h/DSC_0120.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8Gv6Vd9I/AAAAAAAAAwY/yLTtxnCEqiM/s200/DSC_0120.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Entering Masyaf fortress:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8Gj8O6BI/AAAAAAAAAwg/qLf7oe9KexU/s1600-h/DSC_0124.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8Gj8O6BI/AAAAAAAAAwg/qLf7oe9KexU/s200/DSC_0124.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Krad des Chevaliers:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9EgwNrYI/AAAAAAAAAxg/du1ywkMZSv0/s1600-h/DSC_0395.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9EgwNrYI/AAAAAAAAAxg/du1ywkMZSv0/s200/DSC_0395.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Krad des Chevaliers interior fortification with moat. Mariee and Aaron are the figures on the wall:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9EQ7IcoI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LOgG0QbleG4/s1600-h/DSC_0371.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR9EQ7IcoI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LOgG0QbleG4/s200/DSC_0371.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Me at the highest point of the castle:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8uD-IiwI/AAAAAAAAAww/OD4Ak4l0Tv0/s1600-h/DSC_0315.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8uD-IiwI/AAAAAAAAAww/OD4Ak4l0Tv0/s200/DSC_0315.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">View from the highest point of the castle:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8G9e8ZEI/AAAAAAAAAwo/tF0SakxrhdM/s1600-h/DSC_0300.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8G9e8ZEI/AAAAAAAAAwo/tF0SakxrhdM/s200/DSC_0300.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Walking around the castle:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8uJFwOqI/AAAAAAAAAw4/ebdwdFtTZZE/s1600-h/DSC_0328.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8uJFwOqI/AAAAAAAAAw4/ebdwdFtTZZE/s200/DSC_0328.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8vC3FoaI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_2CMrmzjNBk/s1600-h/DSC_0355.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8vC3FoaI/AAAAAAAAAxI/_2CMrmzjNBk/s200/DSC_0355.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both"><a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8vYZYx8I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/Sqv-ohVjBhc/s1600-h/DSC_0361.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSR8vYZYx8I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/Sqv-ohVjBhc/s200/DSC_0361.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-54320039467398415522008-11-18T18:49:00.010+02:002008-11-18T20:30:05.651+02:00Aleppo and Hama<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_YjxY-I/AAAAAAAAAuU/b0AOQ206b04/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="Doorway" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_YjxY-I/AAAAAAAAAuU/b0AOQ206b04/s200/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ahh, I haven't had much luck with the internet connections. I don't know if it's the whole country or just the cafes I've been to, but the connections are equivalent to dial-up. Coupled with the government bans on blogging websites and facebook, and dirty/sticky keyboards, it's been a frustrating experience using the internet here.<br /><br />To make matters worse, I'm pretty much illiterate here. In Turkey I could at least read signs, maps, etc. Here the <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_script">Arabic script</a> is unique and I've had a greater amount of difficulty finding places. Even the numbering is different, though I learned it fairly quickly. There are signs in the latin alphabet, but few and far between.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo">Aleppo</a> was not as fun as I thought it would be. Part of that was because it's Tuesday. It's a holiday and most of the sights were closed. The one I was looking forward to most, the citadel, was also closed. The <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Aleppo">Great Mosque</a> was open, but it was a bit of a let down for photos. All I did really was walk around Aleppo's <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souq">souq</a> (market place), which was pretty fun. It's much more interesting than <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar,_Istanbul">Istanbul's Grand Bazaar</a>, though the guidebook says otherwise.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3QH9mGrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/xE9ul3SIsAg/s1600-h/DSC_0122.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Great Mosque Minaret" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3QH9mGrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/xE9ul3SIsAg/s200/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" /></a>In all honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo">Aleppo</a>. To me it seemed overpriced, dirty and overrated. I decided my next destination would be <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hama">Hama</a>. That's where I'm writing from now. It's so much better. The first hotel I went to was very clean and I wasted no time booking a room for almost half the price I paid in <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo">Aleppo</a>. I then made my way around the town, getting oriented with the neighborhoods and taking some photos. I met a handful of locals, all were very friendly and I saw a very welcoming and clean town. I'll probably spend a couple of days here. Tomorrow I'll visit a couple of nearby castles and some Roman ruins.<br /><br />Aleppo:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL0AOKKR1I/AAAAAAAAAus/dM2fUteCWyg/s1600-h/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Aleppo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL0AOKKR1I/AAAAAAAAAus/dM2fUteCWyg/s200/DSC_0059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">My breakfast:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_k3OF-I/AAAAAAAAAuk/SlbSc_lQ0uw/s1600-h/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Breakfast" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_k3OF-I/AAAAAAAAAuk/SlbSc_lQ0uw/s200/DSC_0053.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Aleppo Citadel:<a target="_blank" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_unnvZI/AAAAAAAAAuc/GgS0_Ajp_7Y/s1600-h/DSC_0030.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Citadel" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_unnvZI/AAAAAAAAAuc/GgS0_Ajp_7Y/s200/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">A man fights with a sheep:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_bxiRpI/AAAAAAAAAuM/1o50qirgofk/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Sheep" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSLz_bxiRpI/AAAAAAAAAuM/1o50qirgofk/s200/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Aleppo Souq (marketplace):<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3Pf0FSqI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5USAU-wMxfs/s1600-h/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Aleppo Souq" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3Pf0FSqI/AAAAAAAAAvc/5USAU-wMxfs/s200/DSC_0101.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Carpet shops:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3PdmKnOI/AAAAAAAAAvU/L1CmCbwhN5w/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Aleppo Carpets" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3PdmKnOI/AAAAAAAAAvU/L1CmCbwhN5w/s200/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">All natural soap:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL6e-HJqXI/AAAAAAAAAv0/veX-x-Y9VKI/s1600-h/DSC_0124.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Soap" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL6e-HJqXI/AAAAAAAAAv0/veX-x-Y9VKI/s200/DSC_0124.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Nut shop:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3Os1agfI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fOGguL7Dkdc/s1600-h/DSC_0072.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Aleppo Nuts" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3Os1agfI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fOGguL7Dkdc/s200/DSC_0072.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Aleppo's Great Mosque:<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3P9VTSQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/rpvk5pv2ads/s1600-h/DSC_0116.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Great Mosque" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL3P9VTSQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/rpvk5pv2ads/s200/DSC_0116.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">A Beautiful Hama Mosque with Norias (water wheels):<a target="_blank" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL6fQtFqtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/gZgM6KgipVw/s1600-h/DSC_0135.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="Hama" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSL6fQtFqtI/AAAAAAAAAv8/gZgM6KgipVw/s200/DSC_0135.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-57706125504958061382008-11-17T19:54:00.006+02:002008-11-17T21:08:21.611+02:00Insha'Allah I am in Aleppo, Syria<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSG6IBTkeKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4IYC4zEtqzY/s1600-h/DSC_0323.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSG6IBTkeKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4IYC4zEtqzY/s200/DSC_0323.JPG" border="0" /></a>This morning I decided to skip visiting the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harran" target="_blank">Harran</a> ruins, I heard that much of them have been destroyed as the locals create a more modern town. So I decided to try crossing the border into Syria. From the beginning of my trip, this was my biggest concern. Most foreigners, especially from North America, must have a visa ahead of time. I didn't get mine, but I read on the internet that sometimes they let you through, issuing a 15 day visa at the border. I also heard that people have waited 12 hours only to be turned around. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive.<br /><br />From the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Urfa</a> bus station I hoped on a mini bus and got to the border in about an hour. As I walked to the border line I was invited for tea by some Turkish Arabs. I got my first taste of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic" target="_blank">Arabic</a>, which is sooo much harder than Turkish. I sat down with them for half an hour trying to communicate using English, Turkish, Arabic and whole lot of hand gestures. It was a pleasant experience.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSG35S3TfoI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4feDnkfsCxk/s1600-h/DSC_0324.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0px 10px 10pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSG35S3TfoI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4feDnkfsCxk/s200/DSC_0324.JPG" border="0" /></a>After some tea, I decided to brave the border guards. It wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined. Immediately the Turkish border guards noticed I didn't have a visa. They called the Syrian border guards who decided to be generous and issue me a visa at the border. Both sides spoke pretty good English. During this experience I met three tourists from China, one who was also trying to get a visa at the border. We decided to stick together until we reached the closest Syrian city; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa" target="_blank">Rakka</a>. Together we got to the border bus station and crammed into a mini bus with a bunch of Syrian people.<br /><br />I sat in the back between two, both were extremely friendly and tried to teach me some Arabic. The friendliest one was Ahmed, the one I'm sitting next to in the photo above. His English was also the best. The rest of them were not so keen on photos.<br /><br />The bus got to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqqa" target="_blank">Rakka</a> where we transferred to a bus to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleppo" target="_blank">Aleppo</a>, the second biggest city in Syria. That is where I write from now. It seems to be a city that has a lot to offer in sight seeing, tomorrow I will explore. There is definitely a lot of difference from Turkey. Cleanliness is the most noticeable, in terms of hotels and internet cafes. At this cafe cockroaches are crawling around the computer desks. Also, my hotel smells funky and it's the one I settled on after seeing rooms at four others. On the bright side, the people seem to be extremely friendly and there seem to be a lot more tourists here than the places I visited in Turkey. I should be able to make some friends.<br /><br />On a side note, the Syrian government has banned access to Facebook and blogging seems to be somewhat restricted too. Strange.Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-8359770437866418062008-11-16T17:00:00.011+02:002008-11-16T18:32:15.170+02:00Urfa instead of Antep<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2sx5vrvI/AAAAAAAAArY/pEyFmPvgxVA/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269271706961161970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2sx5vrvI/AAAAAAAAArY/pEyFmPvgxVA/s200/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" /></a>The bus driver stopped at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaziantep" target="_blank">Gaziantep</a> and I asked him if the bus was going to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Sanliurfa</a>, he nodded and I gave him twelve Turkish lira to stay on the bus. A last minute change. Reading the guide, I thought this would be a better place. It's smaller, the bus station is closer to the town centre and it's close to the Syria border.<br /><br />The name of the city on the map is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Şanlıurfa</a>, which means Glorious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Urfa</a>. Locals just call it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Urfa</a>. In the ancient times it was known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edessa,_Mesopotamia" target="_blank">Edessa</a>, a town of northern Mesopotamia. The Turks associate it with Ur, the birthplace of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham" target="_blank">Abraham</a>. Many of the places in the town are linked to this story, like the two pools near the bazaar that are filled with sacred fish. It's said that touching the fish will make one blind.<br /><br />At first glance, the guide led me to believe that there were a lot of sights to see here, there aren't. I was pretty disappointed when I got to the castle, there's really nothing left of it. It provides a view of the city, which looks much like the surrounding landscape; arid and dry. A huge change from the coastal towns I was very much getting used to.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA38c7EjiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/RzrrYkPCUYo/s1600-h/DSC_0062.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273075719114274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0px 10px 10pt; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA38c7EjiI/AAAAAAAAAsY/RzrrYkPCUYo/s200/DSC_0062.JPG" border="0" /></a>My first impression of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urfa" target="_blank">Urfa</a> was a little disappointing, but as I made my way through the town and the local bazaar, that quickly changed. There is a lot more culture here and the people are so interesting and friendly. The town is more rooted in the past. I spent much of my time today browsing the bazaar, taking photos of shops and shop owners. The people seemed happy to be in the photos. The food here is excellent too and there seems to be many choices.<br /><br />At the hotel I'm staying at I met a student who's learning English. He seemed eager to try speaking to me and offered me some tea and a sit down. I was happy to have someone to chat with. We sat in the lobby and talked for what seemed like an hour or so, often referencing the English-Turkish dictionary. I imagine our conversation would have been shorter had either one of us been fluent in each other's language. Still, it was a pleasant experience.<br /><br />The guide mentions a touring company in the town, with an owner that speaks very good English. I eagerly made my way to the location and found it closed. Hopefully it'll be open tomorrow. I'd like to see what my possibilities are in terms of visiting the nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harran" target="_blank">Harran</a> ruins and transportation for crossing the border into Syria.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">View of the city from the castle ruins:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2tbzN_UI/AAAAAAAAArg/YyrAZyfkWqY/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269271718208077122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2tbzN_UI/AAAAAAAAArg/YyrAZyfkWqY/s200/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Halil-ur-Rahman Mosque:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2t7jtXcI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZlY8qG3L1y0/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269271726732959170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2t7jtXcI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZlY8qG3L1y0/s200/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Children looking at the sacred fish:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2tXMcN-I/AAAAAAAAAro/xUBIwMPVXFw/s1600-h/DSC_0021.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269271716971689954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2tXMcN-I/AAAAAAAAAro/xUBIwMPVXFw/s200/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Street food; shish kabobs, mmm:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2uHjRqRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/sLV5e2POf3Q/s1600-h/DSC_0053.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269271729952368914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA2uHjRqRI/AAAAAAAAAr4/sLV5e2POf3Q/s200/DSC_0053.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Bronze shop:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA39NwhZyI/AAAAAAAAAso/GSIoGpedDjY/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273088828204834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA39NwhZyI/AAAAAAAAAso/GSIoGpedDjY/s200/DSC_0080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Women a the spice shop:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA38sBaAeI/AAAAAAAAAsg/UynC-PqhSMs/s1600-h/DSC_0071.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273079772217826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA38sBaAeI/AAAAAAAAAsg/UynC-PqhSMs/s200/DSC_0071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Spices:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA37vc7TQI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/COtJY27nxD0/s1600-h/DSC_0058.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273063513083138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA37vc7TQI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/COtJY27nxD0/s200/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">More spices:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA37K3pmuI/AAAAAAAAAsI/QR5iP25EXr4/s1600-h/DSC_0057.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273053693057762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA37K3pmuI/AAAAAAAAAsI/QR5iP25EXr4/s200/DSC_0057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Wood shop:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA4IjhdNzI/AAAAAAAAAsw/Mf2jaDXcwQM/s1600-h/DSC_0085.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269273283649156914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SSA4IjhdNzI/AAAAAAAAAsw/Mf2jaDXcwQM/s200/DSC_0085.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-14430882342518266462008-11-15T17:02:00.012+02:002008-11-15T19:05:32.553+02:00Anamur: Mamure Castle & Anamurium<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73Bp0b5eI/AAAAAAAAApg/05wlbYZkm1s/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920221847774690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73Bp0b5eI/AAAAAAAAApg/05wlbYZkm1s/s200/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a> is a tiny town directly north of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Cyprus</a>. It has nothing to offer in terms of sight seeing. However, just a few kilometers away are some beautiful sites that don't seem to get many visitors; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur#Sites_to_visit" target="_blank">Mamure Castle</a> and the ancient city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemurium" target="_blank">Anamurium</a>.<br /><br />There was a rooster outside of my hotel that started crowing at 4:00 am. I kept waking up and going back to sleep until finally getting up at 5:30. The sun was just rising as I started biking to the nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur#Sites_to_visit" target="_blank">Mamure Castle</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73B9mL2JI/AAAAAAAAApw/DL5isE1QG8Y/s1600-h/DSC_0056.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920227156711570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73B9mL2JI/AAAAAAAAApw/DL5isE1QG8Y/s200/DSC_0056.JPG" border="0" /></a>The castle was originally Roman, but has been reconstructed over the centuries; used by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantines" target="_blank">Byzantines</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusaders" target="_blank">Crusaders</a>. I got there before the ticket booth opened. There is no gate so I walked around taking photos and had the whole place to myself. It was quite peaceful, right on the coast. I climbed up to the highest point of the castle, sat down and listened to the waves crashing below.<br /><br />Following the castle visit, I made my way to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemurium" target="_blank">Anamurium</a>. It was a long bike ride and I wasn't quite sure if I was headed in the right direction so a few times I stopped and asked the locals. They seemed to find me funny. All the same, they helped me find my way.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemurium" target="_blank">Anamurium</a> is a huge site. An ancient city dating back to 4th century B.C. It's also right on the coast and many of its houses are still in good condition. I went into a few and was surprised to see that many still had frescos decorating the walls, though most were barely visible. I saw other tourists at the sight, but they seemed take off quickly and again I had the place to myself. I spent most of the day here, exploring just about structure that still had a doorway (and there were many). I also saw a lot of wild life at this sight. Giant lizards, a giant snake and ton of tortoises. The tortoises were everywhere!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR733WJdP6I/AAAAAAAAAqw/5GX8PaKxLeY/s1600-h/DSC_0265.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268921144280170402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR733WJdP6I/AAAAAAAAAqw/5GX8PaKxLeY/s200/DSC_0265.JPG" border="0" /></a>I also saw some wild life I really didn't want to see; mosquitos. This is the first time I've seen them on my trip and I really didn't expect to considering it's winter season here. I got bitten pretty badly.<br /><br />On the way back to town, the Turkish road workers decided to redo two sections of the road, and there were no ways around it. I had to ride my bike through whatever kind of oil they use to prime the roads before they lay the pavement. My bike, shoes, pants and pack got covered in oil. I don't think there's any way to take it out. I tried soap and detergent, but it seems I'll have some permanent stains as remainders of my trip in Turkey.<br /><br />I've decided to change my plans a little. Tonight I will catch an overnight bus to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaziantep" target="_blank">Gaziantep</a> instead of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch" target="_blank">Antioch</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaziantep" target="_blank">Gaziantep</a> has an airport and if I can't get into Syria, as I originally intended, I can fly to Istanbul and fly somewhere else in the area. I really want to get down to Jordan to see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra" target="_blank">Petra</a>.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Mamure Castle:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73BsFX4tI/AAAAAAAAApo/Wy_E_QkV81o/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920222455685842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73BsFX4tI/AAAAAAAAApo/Wy_E_QkV81o/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Mamure Castle with the Mediterranean Sea:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73COFHI7I/AAAAAAAAAp4/sT7zW4N_vfE/s1600-h/DSC_0064.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920231581393842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73COFHI7I/AAAAAAAAAp4/sT7zW4N_vfE/s200/DSC_0064.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">A level of the main tower at Mamure Castle:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73uQxj-SI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Nt4WIBADVr0/s1600-h/DSC_0120.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920988218947874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73uQxj-SI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Nt4WIBADVr0/s200/DSC_0120.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">My transportation for today:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73urVHjNI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/d40vmjoR8-U/s1600-h/DSC_0139.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268920995347401938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73urVHjNI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/d40vmjoR8-U/s200/DSC_0139.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Dwellings at Anamurium:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73viv7_FI/AAAAAAAAAqg/N1rqDreFKtg/s1600-h/DSC_0212.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268921010223840338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73viv7_FI/AAAAAAAAAqg/N1rqDreFKtg/s200/DSC_0212.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Frescos of Anamurium houses:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73vesIvwI/AAAAAAAAAqY/XixhkFWzhTg/s1600-h/DSC_0178.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268921009134157570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73vesIvwI/AAAAAAAAAqY/XixhkFWzhTg/s200/DSC_0178.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Public bath ruins at Anamurium:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR733qPHt8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/qY5V5FwUing/s1600-h/DSC_0273.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268921149672634306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR733qPHt8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/qY5V5FwUing/s200/DSC_0273.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Tortoise at Anamurium:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73voZxNBI/AAAAAAAAAqo/biHYtQKHFMs/s1600-h/DSC_0237.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268921011741471762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR73voZxNBI/AAAAAAAAAqo/biHYtQKHFMs/s200/DSC_0237.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-69976257063373624302008-11-14T18:41:00.004+02:002008-11-14T19:11:09.032+02:00A long day on the bus<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR2uWk26akI/AAAAAAAAApY/p-qge1SpNRk/s1600-h/DSC_0018.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268558841967700546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR2uWk26akI/AAAAAAAAApY/p-qge1SpNRk/s200/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" /></a>My plan today was to get to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a>, another city on the Mediterranean coast about five hours from Antalya. The difference in today's trip would be me doing everything versus a touring agency. Up to this point I've been using small touring companies who would book buses and sight seeing trips on my behalf, for a price. It's a very lazy way of doing things and really doing it on my own didn't seem like it would be that difficult. It wasn't. I easily found the bus that took me to the bus depot and quickly made a reservation for a bus leaving for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a>. I saved about half the money that I would have spent doing it through a touring company.<br /><br />I booked a bus that would allow me to get to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a> in the daylight, which would make looking for a hotel a lot easier. Unfortunately this meant that I couldn't see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antalya" target="_blank">Antalya</a> museum. It was a difficult decision to make, as I hear the exhibits are excellent. Ah well, maybe one day I will return. It's a beautiful city and well worth another visit.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR2uWvL5kyI/AAAAAAAAApQ/nDv16gSs3e8/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268558844740080418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SR2uWvL5kyI/AAAAAAAAApQ/nDv16gSs3e8/s200/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a>The bus ride to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a> was so scenic! The road winds around the mountain side with a view of the Mediterranean sea. Sea as far as the eye could see. I was imagining how it would have looked like during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades" target="_blank">Crusades</a>, with hundreds of ships in the horizon. I took a few photos from the bus, but it was simply impossible to capture the beauty of it, especially with a very bumpy ride.<br /><br />The bus broke down half way and I arrived to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a> a little late, just an hour before sunset. I didn't have a chance to do much or take many photos. I took a photo of the main mosque, which happens to be right in front of the hotel I'm staying at. I've rented a bicycle for tomorrow to see a castle that is about seven kilometers from here.Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-491898421784812145.post-66726389284723473792008-11-13T20:47:00.007+02:002008-11-13T22:05:28.410+02:00Kekova, Myra & Santa Claus<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3Mm6A6oI/AAAAAAAAAn8/vE7iyUElG68/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268216722602650242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3Mm6A6oI/AAAAAAAAAn8/vE7iyUElG68/s200/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" /></a>Today I went for a boat ride over the Mediteranean Sea to the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kekova" target="_blank">Kekova</a>. It's known for sunken city ruins. An earth quake in the second century brought the ancient city down into the water, though ruins are still visible along the coast. This would be a nice place to dive. The ruins weren't that much to look at, what was nice was just being on the boat on a very sunny day. It was very relaxing.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3N4auqyI/AAAAAAAAAoc/oKhNZdaNCjw/s1600-h/DSC_0128.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268216744483138338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3N4auqyI/AAAAAAAAAoc/oKhNZdaNCjw/s200/DSC_0128.JPG" border="0" /></a>What I found out on this trip that I wasn't aware of was that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas" target="_blank">St. Nicholas</a> (Santa Claus) is from Turkey. At least that's where he lived and died; in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myra" target="_blank">Myra</a>, an ancient city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycia" target="_blank">Lycia</a>. I thought it would be nice to visit the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myra#The_church_of_St._Nicholas_at_Myra" target="_blank">Church of St. Nicholas</a>, which once housed his remains. I read that it had amazing frescos, and I wasn't disappointed, they were all over the church walls. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Nicholas" target="_blank">St. Nicholas</a> is well known for giving to the poor, hence why Santa Claus brings presents at Christmas. His way of helping the people also involved converting them to Christianity, which meant destroying a lot of ancient temples in order to stomp out paganism in the area.<br /><br />The day concluded with a visit to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myra" target="_blank">Myra</a> ruins, within walking distance of the church. Impressive tombs are carved right into the mountain side, and they are the highlight. Unfortunately it is not possible to get very close to them. Viewing them is only possible from below. The site also has an intact theatre. The theatre was open to the public, but compared to the other theatre ruins I've seen so far on this trip, this one was nothing special.<br /><br />Today I met some other visitors to Turkey. Ursula and Karen (mother and daughter) from Germany and Heather from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man" target="_blank">Isle of Man</a>. They accompanied me for much of the day. It was so nice to have some company and share stories of travel. It's a great way to learn and pass the time on the bus.<br /><br />Tomorrow should be interesting. I will be leaving <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antalya" target="_blank">Antalya</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamur" target="_blank">Anamur</a>. I'll make my way to the local bus station and attempt to book a trip on my own. So far touring companies have been doing that for me, because I've been lazy. The bus stations here are insanely busy! In the bigger cities they're like giant malls with a dozen bus companies competing against each other. Though that makes it easier to get good prices, it makes it a lot more confusing for the foreigner.<br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Fearless Turkish captain of the boat to Kekova Island:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NC5QP5I/AAAAAAAAAoE/AXYlbZ2oi9Q/s1600-h/DSC_0034.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268216730115653522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NC5QP5I/AAAAAAAAAoE/AXYlbZ2oi9Q/s200/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">The sunken city of Kekova Island:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NdSjA6I/AAAAAAAAAoM/-Xhnln7juJw/s1600-h/DSC_0063.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268216737201062818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NdSjA6I/AAAAAAAAAoM/-Xhnln7juJw/s200/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Kale, near Kekova island:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NQKziyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/mMKU0yKNvGk/s1600-h/DSC_0100.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268216733678930722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3NQKziyI/AAAAAAAAAoU/mMKU0yKNvGk/s200/DSC_0100.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">The Santa Clause worksh... err church:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3vHvfT9I/AAAAAAAAAos/5me5FRwkFKY/s1600-h/DSC_0204.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268217315532427218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3vHvfT9I/AAAAAAAAAos/5me5FRwkFKY/s200/DSC_0204.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Ceiling frescos in the Church of St. Nicholas:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3u0Eo5GI/AAAAAAAAAok/dhF-7CBBUAA/s1600-h/DSC_0195.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268217310252426338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3u0Eo5GI/AAAAAAAAAok/dhF-7CBBUAA/s200/DSC_0195.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Myra tombs in the mountain side:<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3vhTgupI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pOj8ruuFDUc/s1600-h/DSC_0243.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268217322394401426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3vhTgupI/AAAAAAAAAo0/pOj8ruuFDUc/s200/DSC_0243.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Myra theatre with tombs in the background:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3wIH3XhI/AAAAAAAAAo8/CraVD0RaI_o/s1600-h/DSC_0253.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268217332814536210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3wIH3XhI/AAAAAAAAAo8/CraVD0RaI_o/s200/DSC_0253.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both">Turkish O Cristo Redentor -- actually it's just me with the Meditteranean Sea in the background:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3wUyHutI/AAAAAAAAApE/AcrFqea6Hv0/s1600-h/DSC_0283.JPG" target="_blank"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268217336212994770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ZcR59JQMW0/SRx3wUyHutI/AAAAAAAAApE/AcrFqea6Hv0/s200/DSC_0283.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Markohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04925308436067950982noreply@blogger.com5