Sam's Beirut Travelpedia

“I wandered everywhere, through cities and countries wide. And everywhere I went, the world was on my side.” ― Roman Payne, Rooftop Soliloquy

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Thanks guys for this amazing year 2014!  

[sam-the-globetrotter]

... finally it is december 26, and my family is on his way to Lebanon!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks ago how I am going to celebrate christmas. ... well, here you go: my flatmate and I started the day by a well-adjusted beauty session, which took us at least three - four hours ;P

Then we started cooking and met friends in the evening.  You guys honestly saved christmas!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Cyprus! Due to the Lebanese Visa restrictions I had to leave the country and visited friends in the "NOT" occupied area of Cyprus (so, I went south).  I had a wonderful weekend in Nicosia (in Greek Lefkosa).

Thanks guys for having me there!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

... YES, I ate frog's leg! And it was delicious! In an Armenian restaurant in the district of Bourj Hammoud, Beirut.

[sam-the-globetrotter]

... and another week is over with friends from back home!

"Tribute to peace" is this statue called. It is almost 5,000 tones heavy and it is in the city of Yarze, north of Beirut. The statue is outside the Ministry of Defense. And is packed with real military hardware - real tanks, - real artillery pieces and - real mortars. It is on military area and normally it is not allowed to go there or even take pictures. But thanks to a friendly and german speaking soldier we could convince him to take us there. He accompanied us through the entire time and explained what the statue stands for. 

After Yarze we went to Jeita a city approx. 18 kilometers north of Beirut.

The Grotto consists of two separate but interconnected caves of karstic limestone and is almost 9 kilometers in length. We took a ski-lift up and went to the upper cave after that you get picked up by a little train, to finally go to the lower part of the cave, which can only be visited by small boats.

We took a taxi for 60 US Dollars for our destination to Yarze, Jeita and back to Raouche. We paid for the entrance additionally 18,500 LBP per person (approx. 10€).  (Unfortunately it is not allowed to take pictures in the caves!)

Thanks guys for having another unforgettable week!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

My first christmas in Beirut was quite surprising. Having almost summer temperatures the entire city, malls and the Downtown Souks were enlightened by the "Christmas Spirit". I did not knew that Lebanese people get so crazy about christmas and decorations, like in no other country. Even my university decorated the whole campus! 

[sam-the-globetrotter]

So quiet... It was the first time since weeks I haven't heard any honking cars, loud constructions site or any other kind of distracting noise! Who would have thought that being just 5 minutes out of Beirut could relieve your soul!  Our day tour started at Zaitunay Bay at the coast line close to the district of Downtown. For such a tour you have to be more than lucky, our good friends Chris and Gigi organized a phenomenal tour, which made my day!

Thanks again for such an awesome tour!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Barouk, Lebanon. October 25th, 2014

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Once again the LAU organized an awesome day-trip, our destination this time was Barouk, Lebanon. 

Barouk is approx. 55 km east of Beirut and is famous for its enlarged and protected cedar forest. Its altitude is around 1080 meters.  The name Barouk is Phoenician and means 'the blessed'.

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Thanks Malte for these awesome pictures!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

The LAU (my University here in Beirut) organized at the 4th of October a hiking trip to the mountainside of Tannourine. Tannourine is just a few kilometers south of Qadisha. This reserve is more rocky and very famous for its cedar trees, around 25 % of Lebanon cedar trees are here. All in all the reserve is around 12 square km and its trails are perfectly designed for easy to difficult hiking tours.

Thanks to Malte for these awesome pictures!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Beirut, Downtown.

Musichall Open Stage.

[sam-the-globetrotter]

Beirut, Downtown. Musichall Open Stage.

[sam-the-globetrotter]

"Let the show begin" Beirut Open Stage, at the 28th of September Malte and I went to the Musichall of Beirut Waterfront, which is in the district of Downtown, Beirut.

The evening started with an exciting taxi trip, our driver did not really knew where the location was, so we drove more than 30 minutes around Downtown until we figured it out. 

The evening started with incredible live performances, over nine bands and solo artists performed marvelously. 

[sam-the-globetrotter]

"Mangare bil casa Shatila 7th." Our Italian and Iraqi friend Niccolo and Amel cooked for us a delicious mix of Italian and Middle Eastern kitchen. Amel made delicious wine leafs filled with ground meat, rice and vegetables, and Niccolo made awesome parmigiano.

Thanks again for the wonderful and delicious evening!

[sam-the-globetrotter]

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