Syria I (Coast, Aleppo, Hama), March-April 2009

I was very happy to be given a visa for Syria at the border. I first went to Syria (and Lebanon) with my nephew in 2005, and we enjoyed it greatly. For both of us it was an introduction to a new region of the world. I had wanted to revisit the country for a long time, and not only because I lost all my photos from that first trip. I was happy for the opportunity to see Aleppo, Palmyra and Damascus's Umayyad Mosque again, as well as to see some areas for the first time.

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ChrisKean1 > Krak des Chevaliers (Qala'at al Hosn). I was able to get my Syrian visa at the Lebanese border north of Tripoli--by no means a sure thing. I then took a cab to Qala'at al Hosn for the night. This was the view from my hotel room: perhaps the most famous Crusader castle in existence.

ChrisKean1 > Couple, below Krak des Chevaliers. These two saw a lone tourist out early in the morning and offered an invitation to tea.

ChrisKean1 > Detail, Monastery of St. George. The oldest part of this monastery near Qala'at al Hosn dates to the 6th Century.

ChrisKean1 > Woman, near Qala'at al Hosn. This woman approached as I was trying to hitch a ride west along the road from Homs to the coast. I ended up catching a big bus, and was not permitted to pay at the end of my journey.

ChrisKean1 > Hosn Suleiman. This is a relatively remote site northeast of Tartus (north of Safita), requiring a cabride from Safita. This temple was likely built initially for the inhabitants of Arwad island off Tartus, to worship Baal and Astarte.

Krak des Chevaliers (Qala'at al Hosn). I was able to get my Syrian visa at the Lebanese border north of Tripoli--by no means a sure thing. I then took a cab to Qala'at al Hosn for the night. This was the view from my hotel room: perhaps the most famous Crusader castle in existence.