Arrived Tartous at about 4.00 pm. It is located about 90 kilometers south-east of Damascus. It is the second most important Syrian seaport on the Mediterranean (90 km to the south of Latakia). In ancient times, it was called Antaradus by the Pheonicians and Tortusa by the Byzantines. Tortusa was to become one of supply ports for the Crusaders and a military base of considerable importance. It was held by the Templars, but recovered by Saladin in 1188.
| continue for more...... | [−] |
Stopped for a late lunch at one of the seafront restaurant. Sitting by the glass window facing the Meditteranean sea, one could see many local tourist buses parked by the roadside. It was really heartening to see them enjoying the afternoon sun after all it was supposed to be winter in Syria. The weather in Tartous was very pleasant and it being a long weekend in Syria, it was thus not surprising to see lots of local tourists at the seafront area. Enjoyed the view from the first floor restaurant while we munch our lunch of grilled fish – specialty of the restaurant. There was not much time to really go around Tartous since it was getting dark and I still have another 600+ kilometers to drive back to Damascus. On the way back, we stopped by the highway to buy fresh fruits like bananas, oranges and strawberries. With just another stop to refuel my FJ Cruiser and a cup of tea, I safely reached home at 9.00 pm.
It was an interesting journey out of Damascus – driving my own with two co-pilots (friends who are conversant in Arabic). Driving the Toyota FJ Cruiser in itself is an exhilarating experience which I will always look forward to in the near future. I enjoyed the scenery with lots of green area. As all generally knows, Syria is the cradle of the great civilizations , and the accomplishments of her ancient peoples are renowned throughout the world . It was in Syria that agriculture began ten thousand years ago , that settlement commenced and civilization emerged
Successive waves of migrations from the Arab peninsula gave an Arab identity to Syria , and it managed to withstand the invasions by Hittites, Persians, Greeks and Romans . The Islamic conquest of 636 A.D . only confirmed this Arab identity and gave a sense of unity to the land.
The immense strategic importance of Syria is due to her unique position as a meeting – point of three continents ( Asia , Africa , and Europe ) and as a crossroad between the Caspian sea, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Nile River. Through Syria lay the silk route which led from China to Doura Europos (Salhieh), from Palmyra and Homs to the Syrian ports on the Mediterranean, where for thousand of years Syrian seafarers had ridden the wave in their enormous fleets with gleaming white sails.
This geographical position lent distinction to the country, not only as a trade and caravan route, but also as a melting-pot of diverse ideas, beliefs, talents, and cultures. Evidence of these ancient civilizations are aplenty and spread all over Syria.
Just hope to visit all these places with its rich troves of civilizational treasures during my brief stint in Syria.
It was an interesting journey out of Damascus – driving my own with two co-pilots (friends who are conversant in Arabic). Driving the Toyota FJ Cruiser in itself is an exhilarating experience which I will always look forward to in the near future. I enjoyed the scenery with lots of green area. As all generally knows, Syria is the cradle of the great civilizations , and the accomplishments of her ancient peoples are renowned throughout the world . It was in Syria that agriculture began ten thousand years ago , that settlement commenced and civilization emerged
Successive waves of migrations from the Arab peninsula gave an Arab identity to Syria , and it managed to withstand the invasions by Hittites, Persians, Greeks and Romans . The Islamic conquest of 636 A.D . only confirmed this Arab identity and gave a sense of unity to the land.
The immense strategic importance of Syria is due to her unique position as a meeting – point of three continents ( Asia , Africa , and Europe ) and as a crossroad between the Caspian sea, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Nile River. Through Syria lay the silk route which led from China to Doura Europos (Salhieh), from Palmyra and Homs to the Syrian ports on the Mediterranean, where for thousand of years Syrian seafarers had ridden the wave in their enormous fleets with gleaming white sails.
This geographical position lent distinction to the country, not only as a trade and caravan route, but also as a melting-pot of diverse ideas, beliefs, talents, and cultures. Evidence of these ancient civilizations are aplenty and spread all over Syria.
Just hope to visit all these places with its rich troves of civilizational treasures during my brief stint in Syria.
0 comments:
Post a Comment