Day 5 - Crak Des Chevaliers

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I had another dreadful nights sleep about one hour in total so I was up and ready early for my trip To Crak des Chevaliers.

I had paid 1800 Syrian pounds (around 20 English) for a taxi to Crak, after which I was to be taken to Homs to then gat a bus to Palmyra, by doing it this way I didn't have to stay in the Riad another night - result.

Crak Des Chavaliers is a very well preserved crusader Castle whose walls have never been breached. In the 12th Century it was home to the Knights Hospitaliers - or monks with big swords which is what I like to call them. It used to house 2000 knights and controlled all the traffic from East to West.

After visiting the Castle I got dropped in Homs and thats when the fun started - my travel book said that there were regular departures to Palmyra on the hour but when I got to the Al-Kadmous bus station at 12:00 and the ticket office said the next bus was at 17:30 - starangely enough a guy suddenly appeared and took me round the corner and said he could take me to Palmyra right now for 50 english pounds, he obviously didn't know how tight I was - anyway after bartering him down for a bit of fun I said no and that I would take a minibus - so went to the ticket office and they said that the next bus was at 16:00. At this point I was started to get a little agitated as I didn't want to wait around the bus station for 4 hours. Anyway I then asked if their were any more tourists waiting and they said that there were 2 upstairs so I went to join them. They turned out to be Polish ad my new chums Martin and Aina.

No sooner had I sat down than one of the guys I had been speaking to ran up and said that a bus had suddenly appeared and was just about to depart and we cvould give him 100 Syrian pounds for his troubles (1 pound 30p). So there is yet another con that we travellers have to be aware of.

Finally arrived at Palmyra slap bang in the middle of the Syrian desert and it was mighty hot - must have been in the 40s. Walked round the ruins and stayed their until sunset with Martin and Ainya and then grabbed something to eat. Booked into the Citadel hotel which was OK but at night something was trying to get in my window but more worrying something was scratching to try and get out.

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Comments

[Thor God of Surfing Instructors]

How Much!
Can't believe you paid £20.00 for a taxi. That's a first. Seriously, it all looks really interesting mate. However, I feel a night with you and your photos looms!! Stay safe.