Travel pictures
As a part of our trip to Syria we finally made it to Lebanon, high on the bucket list for many years. Despite the huge economical and political crisis, symbollised with the horrible explosions at the Beirut Harbour, the country is also a beautiful melting pot of cultures, people and food. We started and ended in Beirut in a hotel with a view to the Mediterranean OCean and the American University. After the trip to Syria we made it directly to the Becca Valley, once a centre of fightings in the civic war and today controlled by Hezbollah. Our target was the Roman ruins at Baalbek, admitted the most impressive we have seen. The city itself has not much to offer, but the fertile valley and not at least the ruins themselves is well worth a visit. Especially the Temple of Jupiter is incredibly well preserved, despite the ever present turmoil in the area. Back in Beirut we saw the corniche, the harbour and the interesting city with remnants from many historical eras. Roman ruins, mosques, churches, modern buildings and a wild restaurant and bar scene. It is sad that so many has left Lebanon, leaving many shops and houses empty, for the city is charming and at the crossroads of cultures. We also managed to catch some of the World Cup football action at several bars, enjoying along with the locals.
