So I haven’t posted here in a long while.
Just a quick update. I’m back from my Lebanon-Thailand adventure and let me tell you, it was fantastic. It had its ups and downs as does everything, but all in all, I’m happy I got to do it.
Lebanon’s a beautiful country which is unfortunately full of political instability. There are poor and there are the rich (who knowingly show-off like hell with their expensive Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s ). What I found (and to no surprise) was that they are such hospitable people. Sure, there were people who wanted to rip us off (they see foreigner = $$… especially cab drivers!) but they weren’t without merit.
They work very hard to survive in the struggle at home. They are struggling to survive but still surviving well. Respect. The average pay there in something like $200 US dollars A MONTH. Some of us spend that in one night out in the town drinking. Appreciate what you have.
Lebanon has massive mountains as far as the eye can see, awesome food (Definite Favourite: Kabab-Ji?), beautiful women and crazy drivers. A must visit on any travel-bug infected individual. Apparently it’s the party capital of the Middle-East. Summer is supposed to be an absolute blast with most bragging about their weekly beach parties.
Highlights of the trip
I got to see where my Uncle Jad resides, and the view he wakes up to every morning. Sublime.
My Uncle's Roof
I got to see where:
- my father grew up in Kobayat (pronounced “le-bay-yet”)
- where my mothers parents were born and raised in Aitouli
- where my the grandfather I never had the grace off meeting is buried (also in Aitouli)
- nearly all the landmarks like the ruins of Baalbek and Byblos, St Charbel’s Home and Mt Harisa..
In Ballbek
On the steps in Byblos/Jbail
You will notice when you visit that some of the people in Lebanon are materialistic/superficial people (Apparently they have millions of plastic-surgery operations a year!) ..
In short, Lebanon taught me a lot about life, especially that I shouldn’t take what I have here in Australia for granted. We have got it good. The same lessons were carried over whilst in Thailand.
Thailand
On the way back, myself and my brother Mark went to Thailand for a week whilst my dad continued on home. While me and my brother Mark are waiting at Kuala Lumpar airport, having coffee with a very lovely Malaysian Air-Hostess (we met on the way over from Dubai airport), I decided to check my Facebook.
I see a status update from my brother Paul. It says “**** IT, I’M GOING TO PHUKET”…
Naturally, I thought, HUH? AWESOME! – I quickly phone him to find out the details, and as was discovered, at the last minute he booked a ticket and decided to fly over for some party-time in Patong.
Good choice.
In KL when we hopped on the plane and quickly noticed the amount of Aussies. Not ideal for an overseas trip, but I remain positive.
I must start a travel warning here.. When you get off the plane and walk through the terminal at Patong airport, be prepared to get offered a taxi ride 50 times over and a whole bunch of other services. It’s a little overwhelming considering the jet-lag!
Not to mention, the amount of offers you will get for a Tuk-Tuk ride, a Suit, t-shirts, food, cigarettes, cigarettes, food, massages etc… It’s a bit crazy! It may prove a little unusual and culturally shocking to some, but all in all an excellent experience.
To add to the excitement, a few of my close friends, Paul, Ashley and Mario were in Patong already partying it up.
On the first day I almost got bitten by a snake. I was petrified. It was slithering around the resort we were staying at… I was jet lagged and semi-asleep when all the sudden a snake appeared (implying Ninja skills) and it arches up and starts hissing at us..all within the first hour or so of being in the country.. not the warmest welcome!
I can’t wait to go back and see the rest of the country.
