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Message: <blockquote data-quote="funfer_fahrer" data-source="post: 14205" data-attributes="member: 2733"><p>Introduction I was proud to be one of those involved in sending our MALCON WEST-UNIFIL troops to At-Tiri, South Lebanon a couple of days ago although my mission was considered to be a milk run.  Knowing the fact that the late Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri was assasinated right in front of the Hard Rock Cafe where I used to hang out (the explosion formed a huge crater on the road) and, knowing the fact that last year 1200 Lebanese was killed in the war, getting back home in one piece is one helluva mission.  Not because of the hostile situation down south but because of uncertainties.  Having said this, that was why I packed my full arsenal of photographic equipment consisted of one Nikon D200 body, a 17-55mm F2.8 lens, 80-200mm F2.8 lens plus an SB-800 Flash unit.  Anything more are considered excess baggage.  That's why I have to leave my venerable manfrotto at home.  So, here we go.  <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008322.jpg?t=1225295626" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /><img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008324.jpg?t=1225295193" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Lebanon is a beautiful country.  This is the ancient town of Sidon, or Saida is the largest town in southern Lebanon.  Sidon was settled as early as 4000 BC.  It was one of the most important Phoenician cities.  This photo was taken from the fortified Sea Castle.  <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008361.jpg?t=1225296153" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> The sea castle.  <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008256.jpg?t=1225296889" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />  <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008285.jpg?t=1225296938" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008279.jpg?t=1225297015" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008261.jpg?t=1225297086" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> The charming and beautiful part of old Sidon.   <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008210.jpg?t=1225297447" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Sunset in the Bekaa Valley.  (The Bekaa Valley is a high plateau between the Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon).   <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008181.jpg?t=1225297864" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> The storm is approaching the ruins of Aanjar - the only significant Umayyad archaeological find in the Middle East.  Aanjar is only 15km from Chtaura in the southern part of the Bekaa Valley.   <img src="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008098.jpg?t=1225298785" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> I was dwarfed by the huge six columns of Jupiter temple in Baalbek.  I was forming an 'X' shape at the base of the fourth column from the left.   <a href="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008124.jpg?t=1225299191" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008124.jpg?t=1225299191</a> 'Baalbek' means the city of gods.  This 'Sun City" of the ancient world, is the most impressive ancient site in Lebanon.   <a href="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008077.jpg?t=1225299575" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008077.jpg?t=1225299575</a> The whole temple was a huge complex.   <a href="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008115.jpg?t=1225299839" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008115.jpg?t=1225299839</a> The temple of Bacchus was part of the complex in Baalbek.   <a href="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008079.jpg?t=1225300186" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008079.jpg?t=1225300186</a> On assignment.   <a href="http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008425.jpg?t=1225300594" target="_blank">http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008425.jpg?t=1225300594</a> Just another set of columns in Tyre?  Alexander the Great was here way before the Crusaders came.</p></blockquote><p></p>

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