We arrived pierside to the industrial port of Tartus this morning. The Syrian Immigration officials boarded our ship including three masked health officers. These health officers watched us disembark to see if anyone looked like they had swine flu. Apparantly, they also brought a thermal camera to visualize our body temperatures as we passed, but I didn't see them using this.
We boarded two buses for the four hour drive to Palmyra. Our guide, Adib, lacked the sophistication and easy, informative style of our Turkish guides, but he still did his best to provide an overview of Syria along the drive. Each town seemed to have numerous billboards with a picture of the Syrian president and the flag. This newly formed republic was anxious to demonstrate pride in its leaders.
I was surprised by how many women were dressed in western attire. Though the population is 75% Muslim, only about 50% of the women had their heads covered and very few wore more than simple headscarves. Most were quite fashionable with coordinated outfits that matched their scarves.
Unlike Turkey where polygamy is forbidden, it is allowed in Syria. Having one wife is still the most common approach, especially in cities where the expense from two households can be cost prohibitive.
We drove through the mostly green and fertile hills toward Homs for a rest break. Along the way, we skirted the Lebanese border, once coming within four miles of the border crossing. Syria and Lebanon are on very good terms, both speak the same Arabic dialect and frequently have families living on both sides of the border.
After our rest stop, we continued to the Archaeological Museum at Palmyra. We weren't allowed to take photos inside, but we did see several statues from the site. We also saw a large scale model of Ancient Palmyra, a bustling city and caravan stop for camel trains along the Silk Road. It offered a huge agora for trading, a Roman style theater, Bel Temple (equivalent of Zeus), and lavish palace. Built around 100 BC, it was a mix of Mesopotamian and Roman influences.
We drove to the Semiramus Hotel at the actual site of ancient Palmyra and had a lavish buffet lunch. This included a variety of Mediterranean salads, soft cheeses, stuffed grape leaves, rice, potatoes, and a tomato dish with spiced meat (similar to the sauce on Lebanese beans and rice).
After lunch, we headed to the ruins of Palmyra. We visited the Bel Temple, Tower tomb, and Underground Tomb of the 3 Brothers. Then we drove up to the Palmyra citadel, a medieval fortress, to watch the desert sunset.
Dinner was in traditional Bedoin tents with long tables that had squat sofas and pillowed stools on either side. There were a selection of common dishes to share along the table. With no serving utensils, we used our personal forks to dish up lettuce salad, beets, falafel, hummus, flat bread, and mashed eggplant with pomegranite. It was touristy enough that they provided us with personal silverware rather than eating in traditional Bedoin style with the fingers of our right hand.
Musicians arrived to play sitar music and other Middle Eastern instruments. The group leader invited us individually out to dance in the center aisle between the tables. Next they brought out two roasted lambs and tasty fried rice with peas for the main course.
After more dancing (and the whiny, buzzing music that seemed never ending!), we headed back to the hotel and a picture of the ruins by night.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.