Maaloula looking resplendent on the hillside
A placeholder & links covering the whole journey can be found through the link here and below:
Left Palmyra heading for Damascus. Past phosphate factory and then diverted to Maaloula – old painted village [town].
I can only apologise to Ogblog readers for Daisy’s and my failure to photograph the phosphate factory, saving our film for the beautiful town/village of Maaloula.
We had tea at Chez Abu George – then saw the Convent of Saint Thecla – a nice little orphanage church and shrine
…then went and tried local wine and Aramaic with Abu George.
I don’t know why we have no photos of Abu George. But I did procure a cassette from him of Aramaic singing, which I have since digitised, so you too can try some Aramaic:
Then climbed hill via stream to second church (Saint Sarkis) then saw some cave dwellings and scenic views & on to Safir Hotel for snack.
Bumped into our dear old friend (the chef from the Safir Homs) who specially produced Syrian country soup (lentil & lamb) – lovely. Then onto Damascus for [Cham Palace] health centre, revolving restaurant, dinner and early night.
All the photos from the Syrian leg of our journey can be found here or below:
