| ABOUT
THIS TRAVEL
Iraq-
Syria
18 days, April- May 07
INTRO SYRIA
Kind of travel:
Alone in a 100% independent travel
When:
20th April- 08th May, 2007
How
I moved: buses and minibus are the best bet. The service
of some deluxe buses (Palmyra- Damasco) will surprise you. On
the other hand trains seem don't like passengers apart from
the Aleppo- Latakia leg.
Freezing
or baking?: wonderful temperature in April- May when
a sweater is enough, while in summer it's a furnace.
Where
I slept: it's plenty of basic accommodations and cleanness
isn't often included in the price. At least it comes less than
10$ for a double
What
I liked: the country is safe, touts not existent and
traveling is quite cheap. Visiting Quneitra and all its history
turned out very interesting
What I disliked:
the monotony of the landscape,
all flat and dry (left
out the mountain range along the coast) and the amazing dirtiness!!
Arwad island wins the "dump of the year"
syrian award :-)
How much
daily: Syria is cheap!! I'd say that for a solo travellers
a low budget averages around 15$, but being a couple you can
shrink it
Dangers/
hassles: forget terrorism or any kind of anger against western,
however Islam here is quite severe, so be cautious/ respectful
in particular n anything involving women (i.e. pictures, wearing,
comments...). Israel is a hot topic, skip it!
What
to bring: sunglasses, a cap and "some trust in the
people", useful when you'll get invited in their home
THE
TRAVEL IN SYRIA
[In Iraq (Kurdistan) part
of the travel]
The day after I entered Syria and I headed directly to the sandy
Deir er Zur, a town in the middle of the Syrian desert.
Here I stayed two days to visit the Dura Europos archaeological
site on the Euphrates river bank.
A comfortable bus led me to the chaotic Aleppo, from where hitch
hiking I reached the wonderful "Dead cities".
The only one train I got in this travel took me from Aleppo
to Latakia and then by bus I got to the old Tartus. Here I got
invited in a private house by a bunch of just known funny students.
The island of Arward is a dump, while the castel "Krak
of Chevaliers" turned out really worthwhile. From Tartus
in 6h by minibus and bus I got to the magic archaeological site
of Palmyra, where unfortunately I dedicated just half
day, at least at the sunset.
The Syrian capital Damascus didn't charm me that much,
apart of the unique Umayyad mosque. On the other hand a daytrip
to Quneitra, a ghost town in the occupied Israelian territories,
and all the related history, turned out very interesting (you
need a special permit to visit it (see tips)).
The daytrip to the theatre of Bosra is definitely worthwhile,
while the small town of Maaula perched on a rocky cliff,
is OK while waiting for your flight back home.
Alby
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