Marriott Beirut

... someone would be kind enough to set-up a driving school so that the locals could actually have some training before being handed the keys to exocets on wheels. As it stands only two controls have been mastered, the accelerator and the horn, both of which are used to ridiculous excess! Red lights are almost as meaningless as pedestrians, one way streets, pavements or illegal u-turns. Tania holds the new world record ...

... surprised me in some new and fantastic way. I knew I would enjoy my time here that first day at the Corniche, but I did not expect I would love my time there as much as I did. I would recommend to anyone that they should visit Lebanon to see for themselves how unpredictable the Middle East can be. And yet, our State Department still recommends against all “non-essential” travel to the country, a remnant of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Now I don’t want ...

... and definately my highlight of Lebanon. Lebanon is a country thats had its fair share of ***** over the years, it became its own country in the 40's and since the 70's has been involved in civil war after civil war, that coupled with hostilities towards its neighbour Syria and the regular invasion of Israel from the south the poor ****ers havnt had a great few years. It ued to have a considerable christian population which were the governing power for the majority of ...

... was the former president of Pakistan - (Musharaf). I think the others were Lebanese celebrities. We then went to a fortress called Chateau Beaufort. Again, I wasn't that excited about the sight. The day did start to get interesting once we arrived in a town called Fateem. This town bordered Israel. Kimo and I went to some view point and could see Israeli town in the short distance. Of course there was a fence wrapped with barbd wire that separated the two ...

... of Amman), especially if you consider construction sites and giant cranes modern, which I do, of course. Interesting city with a lot of beautiful areas like the corniche, the new downtown, and the university campus, all of which contrasted sharply with the heavy military presence. A number of tanks, fences of razorwire, and every now and then a fortified bunker manned by a soldier on top lounging in a chair with one hand smugly fondling the huge automatic weapon protruding from ...

While walking to get coffee yesterday, Ceren, Pinar and I were stopped by a girl who was asking for money. The weird thing was that she spoke in Turkish. Were shocked, started questioning her. She said her family moved from Antep 5 years ago and have no job now. Lebanon with Turkish immigrants... We went to Petit cafe for dinner by the bach which was amazing. The view, atmosphere, food and music. I was ashamed to have expected plain sandviches. Palestinian ...

... some gorgeous mountain vistas. Both our driver and every other car on the road, however, drove like total madmen and so one couldn't fully appreciated the views, as fear-of-death seemed to taint their serenity. Then, after an hour or so of suicidal driving through the mountains, Beirut finally revealed herself amid her stunning backdrop. Over her back towered the mountains, some still stubbornly wearing the glistening white of the winter snows; at her feet lay the still ...

... and Saturday being the big nights, I was a day too early! So having been over-welmed by the European-eque, afluent and very chic city of Beirut, I'm spending a day in the countries Shiite heart lands. One could compaire going from Monacco to Islamabad prehapps? I'm not kidding guys, although "safe" for tourists now this is HEZBOLLAH country!!!!! My guide book talks about that it's most likly this is where the suicide bombers which hit the ...

... be solved by us paying inflated cab fares; 2 hours of wailing bagpipe and cymbal Arabic rock music blaring from the neighbouring room's television; 2 days of trudging the treacherous pavements through rain storms under biblical thunder and lightning: yes, we're back on the road again!

I finally arrived in Beirut, only slightly behind schedule, at around 3:30am. I was warmly welcomed by a coworker, escorted out to our vehicle which was parked outside, and while putting my bags in the back of the large SUV I noticed a couple camoflage flack-jackets, placed there "just in case". Bienvenue a Beyrouth.