Travel this time was during the Eid holiday (total five days), 18-22 September 2009. Syria is a good travel destination for backpacker. The people was really really nice and friendly to traveler like me. They always said “Welcome”, “Take us picture”, “Come together to have dinner”… The historical sites are scattered around the countries. I visited the most famous Roman ruins, Palmyra and Bosra (both are UNESCO World Heritage), also Afamea; a beautiful crusader castle, Crac des Chevaliers; the world oldest cities of Damascus and Aleppo. I wished I had more time to slowly wandering the souqs and country sides. I wished I could speak Arabic to have a nice chat with the people.
1. Syrian people, one of the friendliest (to traveler) on planet. Most of the children and young have beautiful faces. A lot of people invited me to have meal or tea in their house. Many young boys liked to be photographed also. When we asked how to go to a place, they often actually took me to the place with them though it was not on their way. 2. Hama, the city and the Norias. Noria is a water wheel in Orontos River used for many centuries for the irrigation system. The night was beautiful with many lights-up. 3. Crac de Chevaliers, a very beautiful castle. 4. Afamea, though it is not as famous as Palmyra, the 2 km pillar avenue was just simply beautiful. 5. Souqs in Aleppo and Damascus. Aleppo souq is more beautiful with stone ceiling, but Damascus souq has very yummy ice cream and stylish restaurants and the alley is wider than the Aleppo.
itinerary
18 September 2009 Arrived in Damascus. Since I could not get night train ticket to Aleppo, I stayed one night in Damascus. Wandering Souq, Omayyad Mosque, and Azem Palace. At night, I went to Jabal Kassiun by taxi to see the night view of Damascus. 19 September 2009 Departed Damascus at 6am from Harasta Garage with Kadmous bus company, I arrived in Aleppo about 11am. Chartered car from Tourist Hotel to Qalaat Samaan (St.Simeon) ruins. Went to Aleppo Citadel and wandering the Souq. 20 September 2009 Departed Aleppo for Afamea and Palmyra with a car chartered from Aleppo Spring Flower Hotel together with a Russian (we were together only to Afamea). Stayed in Hama at night. Afamea was simply beautiful with the pillar alley. Palmyra was under expectation. I had too short time to enjoy the vast area. Hama night was beautiful, with light up on the Norias. On the way back from Palmyra to Hama, Mohammed, the driver, he was invited to his friend house in nearby village. We had dinner there with very warming welcome. The guy even invited me to spend the night in the village. 21 September 2009 Departed Hama for Crac des Chevaliers and Maalula. Crac des Chevaliers was a wonderful castle. Maalula is also a beautiful village with two lovely churches and a beautiful rock alley. In Damascus, the driver took us to Jabal Kassiun to see the over view of the Damascus city. Tried the hammam in the old city. 22 September 2009 Excursion to Bosra with Damascus Hostel. Beautiful and well-preserved Roman theater. We also visited Izra (old church), Qanawat (Roman ruins), and Shahaba (Roman ruins). Suweida museum was closed. Back to the airport around 3pm.