Lebanon - From "The Beirut" to Beirut

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Middle East » Lebanon » Beirut
February 7th 2016

Published: February 9th 2016

As we walk into the restaurant and give our name to the hostess for a table, we then move on as we always do….to the softly lit bar and grab a stool where Sami brings us a couple of libations. This place is all too familiar to us, with its fake, yet attractive grape vines hanging from the ceiling and all for that part, all around the room. It is our very favorite restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, Dave... 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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Bronze mask from B.C.

Bronze mask from B.C.

Bronze mask from B.C.

Museum of Beirut

Sculpture from an era long ago

Sculpture from an era long ago

Sculpture from an era long ago

Called drunken cupids

Dolmas

Dolmas

Stacked and ready for consumption!

Willed

Willed

Cousin of Sami.

Osta

Osta

Worked for many years at the Beirut restaurant in Toledo, Ohio.

Olives aplenty

Olives aplenty

MJ is smiling!

Boardwalk in Beirut

Boardwalk in Beirut

Boardwalk in Beirut

Fisherman in the middle of the city.

Metropolitan skyline

Metropolitan skyline

Metropolitan skyline

Beirut a modern city.

Family on wheels

Family on wheels

Family on wheels

Staying dry courtesy of this shelled device. Motorcyclists in Kuala Lumpur sure could use these!

City on the coast

City on the coast

City on the coast

Nice views of Beirut.

Ancient statue

Ancient statue

At the Museum of Beirut.

Lebanese flag

Lebanese flag

Cedar Tree is the symbol.

Waterfront in Beirut

Waterfront in Beirut

Waterfront in Beirut

Zaitunay Bay.

Building near the Rocks de Raoucheh

Building near the Rocks de Raoucheh

Building near the Rocks de Raoucheh

The sea was pummeling the coast after a storm.

Mega boats

Mega boats

Tyre

Pizza Hut Delivers

Pizza Hut Delivers

Pizza Hut Delivers

Did you want pepperoni on that?

Tyre, Lebanon

Tyre, Lebanon

A path full of history.

Sidon, Lebanon

Sidon, Lebanon

Castle by the Sea

Pictograph

Pictograph

Antiquity

Treasures of Lebanon

Treasures of Lebanon

Treasures of Lebanon

Marvels of restoration

Marvels of restoration

Marvels of restoration

Meticulous work.

9th February 2016

Sonja Massey
non-member comment

Beirut
I was especially interested in this trip and your Beirut blog entry didn't disappoint. Lebanon and Egypt are at the top of my travel "wish list". So sorry my niece's husband (Moe) didn't come through with ideas (they just had a new baby, their first, so their focus was elsewhere) but it sounds like you are well taken care of by your local friends. If I hear from Moe I will send you any info he may have on Egypt. Looking forward to your next post. S

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Sonja, greetings from Lebanon
So glad you continue to follow along and appreciate your comments. No worries about Moe, they are busy and we are doing just fine. We will be here a few more days and then on to Egypt.

9th February 2016

Marsha
non-member comment

Beirut
Impressive. Very brave travelers!

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Beirut travel warnings
Before we arrived we were a bit worried about the U.S. travel warning but we feel completely safe and the people are wonderful. I hope travelers will start coming back to this country.

9th February 2016

bvchef
Brendan Vermillion

You and Willie Nelson
How wonderful to see you "on the road again." Reading your blogs make me feel as if I am there hearing you tell your stories over a glass of wine. Beirut is a place I had looked into visiting, but had to pass. Thanks for sharing your stories and wonderful food shots. I will see you in one week and cannot wait.

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

On the road again,
Soon enough my friend we will be sitting with that bottle of wine and conversing about all that we saw in our day. Travel choices always need to be made and you didn't have enough time to add Lebanon to your trip. Another time.

9th February 2016

Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson

1970's
Back when I was in college (roughly the same time period as when dinosaurs roamed the earth) I remember that the American University in Beirut was a popular spot for students to spend their semester abroad. I've not made it there yet, but, like you, I've known some sweet and generous people who have emigrated from there.

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

1970's
The war lasted 16 years and many people immigrated to other countries. Things have been calm for the most part for a decade now and many have returned to their homeland. As you say, they are wonderful people. Hopefully, you will visit soon.

9th February 2016

nancic123
Nanci and David Curry

Good Start!
Glad to see you guys are back on the road and off to a good start. Nice that you got to meet with some local people for dinner. Looking forward to following along on your trip!

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

A good start
Yes we feel like we have gotten off on the right foot for this trip. It was good for Dave to reconnect with people he knew from Toledo and they have been very gracious with their time. Love hearing about things from the local perspective. Thank you for following our blog and making a comment. Always great having others with us.

9th February 2016

Shelley and Scott
Michele Hutchinson and Scott Maberley

Great looking Olives
If you took the Government warnings seriously you wouldn't step out your front door. Careful research including reading other bloggers give you a better idea on whats happening. Lebanon looks fantastic, great blog and looking forward to your next one. Shelley and Scott

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Never enough olives!
I always love a country that serves olives for breakfast-- well every meal. Indeed you would sit at home on the couch if you listened to all of the travel warnings...but always good to know the situation in any country before going and travel smart. And as Americans it makes us pause from time to time but as you see....here we are. Thank you for following along and making comments. Looking forward to your next blog also.

9th February 2016

Susan Taylor
non-member comment

Lebanon
Glad you two had a good time! Enjoyed the stories and photos!

9th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lebanon
Susan, thanks for following along and commenting. Traveling always opens the mind and heart. So many beautiful places in the world.

9th February 2016

michelleandkev
Michelle & Kevin Cavanagh

Travels in Beirut
What a fabulous post; loved it. Such beautiful photos which made me want to travel there. One of the friends from my book club is from Lebanon and delights us all with some of the great food offerings she brings to our meetings. Naturally we start with food and drink before the literary discussions begin!!

10th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Travels in Beirut
Food and drink should begin any book club meeting. I'm glad your friend is influencing you to travel to Beirut. It is a modern city worth visiting. Thank you for your comment. Thank you for reading.

9th February 2016

City on the coast

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Beirut
Great to hear you are safe and sound and tucking into Beirut hospitality. Always amazing how quickly some countries pick themselves up and rebuild after years of destruction by war and political unrest. Are there areas of bombed buildings or still evidence of those days in areas you have seen?

10th February 2016

City on the coast

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Beirut
Plenty of hospitality. Yes there are signs of decay in parts of the city but they have done a nice job with the rebuilding. They are resilient. It is good what can be done in a few years after a war ends.

9th February 2016

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

You didn't say whether the food...
at the local restaurant that Osta and Wilmut took you to was better than the Beirut Restaurant in Toledo. Anyway, it sounds like you are enjoying yourselves!

10th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Ah, we didn't say....
Our Beirut, "The Beirut" in Toledo still wins in our book because of the fond memories but the food here is very much the same. We were glad to find our place cooks authentic foods. We are enjoying ourselves. Thanks for the comment and thanks for following along.

10th February 2016

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Brendan stole my 'On the road again' comment :)
It seems like Beirut has treated you well. There is a big Lebanese population in Melbourne and I had a few Lebanese friends in High School, so I feel like I know the food better than any other Middle Eastern country, but like you mentioned - nothing tops eating the food in its home country. I'm drooling at the sight of that glass of blood orange juice!

10th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

On that road again
Sorry Brendan beat you to the on the road again comment but he is fast. Many people left the country during the 16 years of fighting so I'm not surprised many have relocated to your part of the world. We've had great food and the blood orange juice was fantastic. Thanks for commenting and following along.

10th February 2016

Mumtraveller
Lynne Brown

Zataar
Here in Dubai ther are of course lots of Lebanese restaurants too... And I love Zataar bread... Even had a ZATAAR croissant the other day. Good to see you greeting around the sites ... Friend of mine was there a couple of years ago and loved it ... Are you visiting the birthplace of Khalil Gibran ...artist writer. Have fun.

10th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Zataar
Hi Lynne, there are so many good food choices. We started out with our old favorites and have now branched out to trying new foods. None have disappointed. We have not been to Khalil Gibran's birthplace and are unsure if we will go. We have two days left and are still deciding what is next. See you soon.

10th February 2016

Billie OLeary
non-member comment

so interesting
Glad to see you are getting the most out of each location you visit, as you always do. It looks like a beautiful place. I have a 1001 nights ring that came from a jeweler in Beirut by the name of George Mansour. This was in the late 60's but I wonder if there is still a family business there.

10th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Beirut is interesting
Your ring sounds fascinating. I can google George but have not seen anything with his name on it. I'll keep my eyes open. Love to see your ring next time I see you. The 60's were a lifetime ago for this country.

10th February 2016

Bernie
non-member comment

Interesting
What a great read and photos- good onya. Safe travels.

11th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Interesting
Bernie, thanks for reading and commenting. More to come.

11th February 2016

holamundo
Nina+Markus

on the road
Great to read that you are on the road again. So, Switzerland is coming closer. We are waiting for you! And great you bring Brutus with you. Our Fritz will be happy to meet him ;-).

11th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Brutus and Fritz
Brutus loves to make new friends on the road. We are enjoying ourselves and look forward to seeing you in March.

11th February 2016

Psychedelic Walkway

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Cool photo
I liked this photo. Very nice colours. Interesting choice of destination. We have been thinking about going there but never came further than a thought. But in the future we probably will head that way. /Ake

11th February 2016

Psychedelic Walkway

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Cool photo
It is an interesting walkway. Beirut has done a nice job rebuilding after the war ended. They appear prosperous with all the new buildings, malls and everyone seems to be shopping. Thank you for reading and commenting. Hopefully, you will add it to your list. A great deal of history in Lebanon....and marvelous foods.

13th February 2016

Readingfcboi
Alan Atkinson

History
I love a country with good history.

13th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

History
So much history. We enjoyed it.

14th February 2016

Katha Turbostern
Kathas World

Visiting Lebanon
How brave of you to travel to Lebanon in these days. Thank you for sharing your experience there. It is so good to finally read some positive stories from this obviously beautiful country.

14th February 2016

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Visiting Lebanon
I will tell you we didn't see anything that would make us fear for our safety. It is a country rebuilding and they welcome people to come visit. Very friendly people.

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