Palmyra

We arrived here in Palmyra yesterday early afternoon, what a busy day we had! We were up early in our hotel in the town of Hama, we joined a private tour to the famous crusader castle of Crac Des Chevaliers which was about an hour and a half from where we were staying in Hama. It was an amazing castle, set high up in the mountains it was absolutly stunning. We left there and our driver took us to the nearest town, which was about an hour away by car, the town was called Homs.

A noria in Hama what the city is famous for

When we arrived at the bus station there were soliders and they wanted to see our passports and visas, which of course was no problem, but a little daunting! We went across to the kiosk where we were to buy our bus ticket to Palmyra, knowing that there was a bus at 2pm. We were told that the bus was full and that we would have to wait until 5.30pm for a bus, that meant that we had 5 and a half hours to wait until the bus came - if it was on time -!

Ali at Crac Des Chevaliers

Now understand the situation, Matt had the shits, it was boiling hot, there was nothing to do there and the place looked like a shithole! So, we took the easy way out, a taxi driver approached us and offered a fare, its a 2 hour drive to Palmyra, he eventually came down a little in price, and given the circumstances we jumped in the taxi.

We drove through the city and out onto a tarmaced road, the kind that you only see in film, within half an hour were in the desert, you could see for miles and miles around, there was absolutly nothing! We saw little beehive style huts scattered about, and bedouins, this is the desert tribe of people who camp in the desert, it was a pretty amazing sight. All of a sudden there were road signs, on it, it had an arrow and the words Palmyra, then there was another arrow and the sign read Bagdad/Iraq! It was unreal to see and I guess it was then that we realised actually how close we were! Its only a 3 hour or so drive away! Not that we have ANY plans to visit there at all!!

Another shot at Crac des Chevaliers

Our hotel in Palmyra is nice, we have a view of the ruins and air con as its soooo hot!! Tommorow morning we are going to visit the ruins at 6am as its soo hot when it gets later, then we shall try and eat some breakfast before we take the bus to Damascus.

We cant upload any piccies as the connection here is so painfully slow, but shall try when we get to Damascus.

Love hugs and kisses to you all

Ali and Matt

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Crac Des Chevaliers

Hama City - Syria

Matt looking thro a crac at Crac Des Chevaliers

Our dinner in Hama

Palmyra

Road up to Crac Des Chevaliers

The road to Palmyra, a few 100kms from Iraq

Theatre in Palmyra

View of the Arab Castle and Ruins from our room