Syria II (Palmyra and Damascus), March-April 2009

After the coast, Aleppo and Hama I headed for Palmyra, by way of Resafe, and then Damascus. Palmyra is the undisputed gem of Syrian antiquities, and as for Damascus, the Umayyad Mosque is really captivating.

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ChrisKean1 > Resafe. I headed from Hama to Raqqa in the desert for the night, and went to the ancient walled city of Resafe first thing the next morning. The city was originally a Roman outpost against the Persians, but later became a site of religious pilgrimage for the Byzantines. The weather was rainy, as it was still March, and much of Resafe's appeal was lost on me this time.

ChrisKean1 > Between Deir es Zur and Palmyra. From Resafe I got a bus first to Deir es Zur and then to Palmyra, which I had first visited in 2005. At a couple of points the sameness of the landscape gave way to some interesting panoramas.

ChrisKean1 > Between Deir es Zur and Palmyra

ChrisKean1 > Temple of Baal Shamin, with Qala'at ibn Maan in background, Palmyra. I was glad to have the opportunity to return to Palmyra, which is among the more impressive and extensive Roman-era sights I have seen. I arrived in late afternoon, and planned to spend a good part of the next day as well.

Resafe. I headed from Hama to Raqqa in the desert for the night, and went to the ancient walled city of Resafe first thing the next morning. The city was originally a Roman outpost against the Persians, but later became a site of religious pilgrimage for the Byzantines. The weather was rainy, as it was still March, and much of Resafe's appeal was lost on me this time.