Please read the blog post about this trip, while watching these photos. http://bublispot.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-time-in-middle-east.html
MTV Arabia. In a hotel in Amman, Jordan... right after we flew in.
As soon as we left Amman, heading towards Petra, we saw this beautiful 180 degree rainbow.
We had a rest at this coffee-shop/souvenir store on our way to Petra.
A traditional cup of mint tea.
A water pipe for sale.
Camels for sale.
Leaving the house unfinished allows the locals to avoid property tax.
A mosque.
Prophet Mohhamed visited this place, put a sword into a rock, and a water poured out of the rock. Today, vistors come here to drink the fresh water.
This tomb was seen along our way to towards Petra Treasury.
The canyon got narrow and tall, we knew we are going the right direction.
There were aqueducts along the canyon, leading towards the Petra Treasury.
The canyon kept getting wider and then narrower. It took about 20 minutes to reach the Treasury.
Right before exiting the canyon, we could see the famous image of the Treasury peeking through the space between the canyon walls.
Camels were available for rent.
The Treasury
The Treasury from the inside.
Standing in front of the Treasury, looking towards the entrance to the canyon (Siq).
A Jordanian guard guarding the Treasury.
Brad covering his nose from the cold wind.
Remains of various tombs. These were also inhabited by local bedouines at some point.
More tombs.
2 car garage
Tourists could buy various made-in-china trinkets.
We hiked to the Petra Monastery, it was about 1 hour hike up the stairs. Donkey were available for rent, but we felt bad for those creatures.
Brad built a rock pile.
We finally got to the Monastery. To our surprise, it looked just like the Treasury.
After the sunset, we got back to our room (at the Moevenpick Resort Petra) and a tray of yummy treats was waiting for us.
We ate at Zaman restaurant in Petra, about 3 blocks uphill from the hotel. Buffet style, about $10 per person. Yum.
Petra beer.
A detail of a coffee table in our hotel room.
hotel lobby (Moevenpick Resort Petra)
King Abdullah II and his wife.
King Abdullah II again.
This was our second day at Petra park, Brad posing.
This wild dog was very playful.
our hotel in Petra
Petra park from above.
Sayel (our driver) and Brad
Taking Royal Jordanian from Amman to Beirut.
Good morning Beirut.
Pigeon Rock, Beirut
Healthy Beirutan
Beirutans relaxing by the waterfront.
An abandoned building.
Mosque in Beirut downtown
Rafik Hariri's memorial
A war damaged theatre
Downtown Beirut
Coffee and free wifi in downtown Beirut
News in Arabic, but ads in English.
The clock tower, downtown Beirut.
A playful Shih-Tzu.
A statue at a mall that is being built.
I took this from a car driving to Baalbek. Beirut downtown is a lot nicer than the outskirts.
Heading out of Beirut
Beirut from the hill
We stopped for a quick breakfast in Chtaura, on our way to Baalbek. This was a think crepe-like bread filled with goat cheese and olives. Mine was filled with a thick yogurt and a honey.
We stopped by Ksara winery and checked out its underground catacombs that hold 700,000 bottles of wine.
Wine tasting at Ksara.
Brad found out that the best wines are served in the summer.
The sign claimed that this is the largest rock in the world.
This is how Baalbek temples looked long time ago. Now, only 6 columns from the largest temple are left standing.
Our tour guide Hala trying to make us imagine the scale of the site.
The last 6 columns standing.
The smaller temple (for women) is preserved a lot better.
The site was built on a man-made hill. These tunnels are right below the temples, and they used to serve as stables for animals.
The fertile crescent.
We stopped at a restaurant in Chtaura on our way back.
Back in the Holiday Inn Dunes, Beirut. Watching silly shows.
Taking a photo of Brad's new sweater I got for him in ABC mall in Beirut.
Lebanese money
A winter wonderland
Merry Christmas everyone!
