Tag Archives: Aleppo
A-Z April Challenge – Q’alat Najm & Q’alat Ja’bar
During our stay in wonderful Aleppo in 2009 we hired a taxi driver to take us northwards to two castles named Qal’at Ja’bar and Qal’at Najm. The long journey was well worth it as both castles looked majestic framed by blue skies and the beautiful azure waters of Lake Assad the Euphrates River respectively. Qal’at Ja’bar Qal’at Najm […]
Syria Before The Conflict Part 7, The People
Now I have come to the end of my 2009 tour of Syria it is time to consider the people who I came across. I have purposely concentrated on the Syria that I saw on the trip – fantastic history, fabulous architecture and wonderful people. As I now often reflect on what has happened these […]
Syria Before The Conflict Part Two, Castles & Monasteries
Aleppo had proved to be a superb host city, but this did not stop us from going on a couple of full on day trips by private taxi. First up was St Simeon’s Monastery, some 30km north. St Simeon is the guy who legend has it was driven up the pole! Simeon the Stylite lived […]
Syria Before The Conflict – Part One, Aleppo
After our long journey by land from Istanbul (see previous posts) our taxi dropped us off at the iconic Hotel Baron. The famous colonial style classic had been frequented by the likes of Agatha Christie, Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill in the past and with its marble staircase & floors and wood panels the hotel […]
Mother’s Day
It is Mother’s Day in the UK today, so here are some pictures from my travels in honour of mothers everywhere. And not forgetting granny…….
Aleppo People
The events in Aleppo are more than tragic. The innocent civilians are just like you and me.
My Top 15 Travel Pleasures – 12 to 10
12. Visiting Gothic Cathedrals I always visit the cathedral in every city that I visit and for years did so by default rather than by design. After all, it is very often the most impressive construction, a city’s show of wealth and ostentation. My favourite style of cathedral is definitely Gothic – flying buttresses, vaulted […]
Sunday Photo – 9
This photo was taken in May 2009 and follows the theme of Friday’s post about Aleppo in Syria. The chap I am with was the General Manager of the historic Hotel Baron in the city. He clearly loved his hotel and will of course be devastated by recent events. Inshallah he is OK…….
