Lebanon 2009
Lebanon is a country with a bit of a “reputation” so I was a little worried when Neil suggested we met in Beirut.
Beirut

It even has a Synagogue being rebuilt at the moment (although I was told off by a police man with a wagging finger for taking this photo).

Even better, its on the Mediterranean so you can go swimming although it didn't appear that popular in November. But you might be able to make out one swimmer! Can you guess who?
The Lebanese coast
Which moves us neatly onto the coast.

Tyre is in the south of Lebanon and although its got some nice beaches, once you have travelled against FO advice, through several checkpoints and seen UN soldiers on the beach even the most die-hard swimmer is put off!!

Byblos is maybe 30 miles north of Beirut and is well worth the trip. There's ancient ruins, beaches to swim from (without UN soldiers) and a lovely harbour.
Ancient ruins
No. Not Digger silly.

Lebanon has fantastic ancient remains. We tended to be a bit picky and concentrated on the Roman and Byzantine ones. But all, of course, had columns!!

Surely the Baalbeck Roman temples are the best preseved in the world? Sadly they don't get the tourists they deserve. I saw one on the day we went (and I was with him!!)

And then theres the Roman city of Tyre with a very well preserved paved road. And just to remind you of 20th century AD events there is an adjacent Palestinian Camp.

But what you really go to Tyre for is to see the largest and best preserved Roman hippodrome in the world.
The countryside
For a former war-torn country its fab.

Its also the home to a hermit, no, not visible in this photo. He was hanging his head in shame as his words of wisdom to us consisted of wanting to know the recent Man U results (and he didn't recognise the WWFC shirt and hat in front of him!).
Self-photos
Ok, there might be fascinating culture and past civilisation, but someimes you just have to do SELF PHOTOGRAPHS for no apparent reason.

Heres a sign on a church in Bcharre. I don't think its connected that the church sold bottles of wine!!