Byblos, Baalbek and back to Beirut

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Middle East » Lebanon » Baalbek
February 11th 2016

Published: February 12th 2016

Byblos To the north of the sprawling metropolis of Beirut is a small seaside town of Byblos. It is here where we are truly learning and embracing the concept of “old.” While it is only about 40 km away, traveling by car in this nation is an undertaking that requires patience and time. Simply translated: sit back and don’t be in a hurry because you will arrive as soon as you get there due to... Read Full Entry

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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

D MJ Binkley

Photographers, divers, writers, foodies, chefs and music enthusiasts. Travelers' Century Club Members: 12/2023. MJ 107 and Dave 104. We appreciate your feedback and if you like our stories we would appreciate it if you follow our blog. We live on North Hutchinson Island, Florida. If you are in Florida please send us a private message as we would love to meet you. Two retired nurses who are passionate about traveling the world. Our love of travel, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures will hopefully take us to wonderful plac... full info

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Souks in Byblos

Souks in Byblos

Souks in Byblos

Plenty of shopping

Temple of Bacchus

Temple of Bacchus

Temple of Bacchus

Baalbek, Lebanon

I have my beer....any questions?

I have my beer....any questions?

I have my beer....any questions?

Dave getting down to business.

The church in Byblos at night

The church in Byblos at night

The church in Byblos at night

The violet lights make it look very cool.

MJ on top of the castle

MJ on top of the castle

MJ on top of the castle

Sunny smile.....sunny day!

Breakfast bean soup

Breakfast bean soup

Breakfast bean soup

perfect

One of the many guards at checkpoints on the highway

One of the many guards at checkpoints on the highway

One of the many guards at checkpoints on the highway

In many places, the military is trying to keep Lebanon safe.

Evening stroll in Byblos

Evening stroll in Byblos

Evening stroll in Byblos

Claude, MJ and Dave

Claude, MJ and Dave

Claude, MJ and Dave

Enjoy a fine repast at her home....many thanks!!

Dave and Osta

Dave and Osta

Smiles among friends....what a great treat!

Rita helping prepare dinner

Rita helping prepare dinner

Rita helping prepare dinner

A wonderful home cooked meal.

Home cooked meal with Osta & family

Home cooked meal with Osta & family

Home cooked meal with Osta & family

Amazing and gracious.

The teleferique

The teleferique

The teleferique

MJ braved the voyage.

Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque

Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque

Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque

Beirut

Gliding on a hoverboard in Beirut

Gliding on a hoverboard in Beirut

Gliding on a hoverboard in Beirut

Out of the way...citizens!

Byblos Seaside

Byblos Seaside

Exploring the castle grounds

Archeological Site Byblos

Archeological Site Byblos

Archeological Site Byblos

On the castle grounds

Exploring Baalbek

Exploring Baalbek

Exploring Baalbek

Lebanon

Stunning

Stunning

Baalbek

MJ having fun

MJ having fun

Baalbek

Dave leaning on the pillars at Baalbek

Dave leaning on the pillars at Baalbek

Dave leaning on the pillars at Baalbek

Fun with photography!

13th February 2016

bvchef
Brendan Vermillion

What a great way to start your trip
I am happy that you are taking time to enjoy your first stop on this trip. The food sounds outstanding and I love that you met with people you have a connection with back in Ohio. Keep overcoming those fears MJ, we have a balloon ride in our future. Looking forward to seeing you, but enjoying this virtual travel through Lebanon with you.

13th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Great way to start
I'll not be stopped by fear. I'll hold on tight. The Toledo connection has really made a difference for us. We've been able to see their country through their eyes.

13th February 2016

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Harissa
I got very excited when I read that you'd stopped at Harissa, as it's one of my favourite chilli pastes...but then I remembered that Harissa paste is from somewhere in north Africa :) I'm getting the impression that you've both slipped into fully relaxed travel mode now, keep those food photos coming. Safe onward travels.

13th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Harissa & travel mode
Indeed we have our rhythm going now. All is well. so many fabulous things to see. We are in northern Africa now so I'll keep an eye out for chili paste. As always food photos will follow.

13th February 2016

Temple of Bacchus

Readingfcboi
Alan Atkinson

Lebanon
Wow... nice blog and stunning pictures. I never really thought about Lebanon as a place to visit, but reading your blog has changed my perspective.

13th February 2016

Temple of Bacchus

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lebanon
Lebanon does not have the tourist travel down as well as other countries but with a little effort you can see some amazing things. Hope you will consider traveling there.

13th February 2016

Shelley and Scott
Michele Hutchinson and Scott Maberley

Lebanon looks incredible
We missed an opportunity to visit Lebanon 16 years ago, and we are now kicking ourselves. The historic sites look amazing, and how lucky are you to get home cooked meals, we are so jealous.

13th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lebanon looks incredible
Indeed the home cooked meals can make all the difference plus understanding the country through local eyes is always best.

13th February 2016

Temple of Bacchus

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Thanks for writing about Lebanon
Again, thanks for writing about Lebanon. I absolutely love sites like Baalbek. Emma is less fond of Roman and Greek ruins however but if I show her this photo she will probably go with me without protesting at all. /Ake

13th February 2016

Temple of Bacchus

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Writing about Lebanon
We were surprised by the Ancient site in Baalbek and its size. We were surprised it remained in the condition it was in. We enjoyed our time in Lebanon, of course it was enhanced by our acquaintances from Ohio who have moved back to Beirut.

13th February 2016

Sheila Ball
non-member comment

Lebanon
Great photos. How great to have a local connection.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lebanon
Sheila, thanks for following along. Yes, it made all the difference having a connection in the country. Loved the home cooked meal.

13th February 2016

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

I'm pleased you were able to visit Byblos...
which stood out for me in my family's visit to Lebanon in 1964.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Visiting Byblos
It was one of our favorite places. Those smaller towns usually end up capturing our attention.

14th February 2016

Carolyn Taylor
non-member comment

Wonderful!
Great writing and pics. Loved the ones when you were playing around. So much info and history. Yes, it always amazes and humbles me when I think about the ancient civilizations the people of the Middle East had. I am soooo happy to hear from you via your blogs. It is strange but this one never came to my e-mails address I only happened by it when I went to the travelblog front page. Stay safe. I know you will LOVE Egypt. Carolyn/ gunga

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Wonderful Lebanon
Carolyn, thanks for following along. It is hard not to appreciate an ancient land where civilization began. We realized yesterday no one got the email so I will send them out manually today. Thank you for commenting.

14th February 2016

Mumtraveller
Lynne Brown

Ancient worlds
Yes old is really old i... I loved photo of the temple of Bacchus ... Fabulous ruins. And it's great that you met the locals ...that makes such a difference when travelling. I wondered how you travelled around ... Car and driver or bus ??? Stay safe in Egypt.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Ancient worlds
Locals make all the difference. We ended up with a car because the tours we wanted to book were full. But as you know some of the time we were with our acquaintances.

14th February 2016

colvinyeates
penny and gary

Not my favourite
Lebanon was not my favourite part of the Middle East but if you like your Roman ruins big, buxom and empty you simply can't go past Baalbek. Brutus seems to be enjoying himself.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Not your favorite
In the Middle East so far we've only been to Dubai and Lebanon. Who knows how we will feel at the end of this trip. Certainly our views were tainted by genuine local hospitality. I suppose it could have changed some since it has been a few years since you were here. But we all get different impressions as we travel and that is why we all must go check it out. For instance, we've never been in love with Kathmandu but many love it.

14th February 2016

Marsha
non-member comment

Lebanon
Loved all your pics and travel notes. Yummy food pics!

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lebanon food
They do know how to cook! Having a good time.

14th February 2016

Billie OLeary
non-member comment

hosts
The pics were staggeringly beautiful, as always. I particularly enjoyed the ones in your hosts home. It is lovely and how fortunate you got to personalize your trip by meeting them and enjoying their hospitality. Can't wait for the next adventure and congratulations, MJ on overcoming your fear of heights and not letting it limit you.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Hosts
Lebanon has a lot to offer and the historical sites are being preserved. It made all the difference to be in the company of locals and their hospitality. People around the world are so nice. So many more good people than bad no matter what the media portrays.

14th February 2016

Claudia Clark
non-member comment

Glad I didn't miss this one!
Must say a few things- the ski in the Byblos pic was such a rich blue! I cannot imagine the difference in "old"! Fun with photography gave me such a big smile and lastly, Dave looks pretty darn good in a hat (and MJ is lovely as always!) love you two-C

15th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Glad you didn't miss this one
We were having fun. Our guide kept posing us. Yes the sky is lovely and we had a good time. So much history.

15th February 2016

Sonja
non-member comment

Awesome pics
Your photos are great and help bring your whole experience home to us. Keep them coming....loving my vicarious tour of Lebanon and looking forward to Egypt.

15th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Awesome pics
Sonja, you'll need to add this part of the world to your travel plan. Lots of history and archeological sites. You will enjoy it.

23rd January 2023

Piprey on wheels
Shona

Byblos
I read in a book- Camels and Cocktail about a Lebanese family growing up in Alexandria that the Bible was named after Byblos.

23rd January 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Byblos
Lebanon is one of our favorites. Such diverse beauty, history and fantastic foods.

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