Tannourine, Becherre and Surrounding Mountains

Having climbed from the Mediterranean Sea at Batroun, I enjoyed great views of the mountains, but the Mediterranean was hardly visible.

2009-03-18T16:25:55Z

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Having climbed from the Mediterranean Sea at Batroun, I enjoyed great views of the mountains, but the Mediterranean was hardly visible.

Our Lady of Bejdarfel The Christian heartland of Mount Lebanon features historic churches and religious statutes dominating each village and areas in between.

2009-03-18T16:27:49Z

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Our Lady of Bejdarfel The Christian heartland of Mount Lebanon features historic churches and religious statutes dominating each village and areas in between.

Unfortunately, many people unfamiliar with Lebanon believe it's a desert because it's located in the Middle East. This is far from the truth!

2009-03-18T16:28:48Z

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Unfortunately, many people unfamiliar with Lebanon believe it's a desert because it's located in the Middle East. This is far from the truth!

Statute of the Virgin Mary.

2009-03-18T16:29:21Z

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Statute of the Virgin Mary.

Gorgeous vistas in Tannourine Tahta.

2009-03-18T16:41:15Z

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Gorgeous vistas in Tannourine Tahta.

This is the road I drove up to get to the Tannourine area. Wow!

2009-03-18T16:42:28Z

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This is the road I drove up to get to the Tannourine area. Wow!

Notice the statute of the Virgin Mary at the top of this mountain.

2009-03-18T16:42:49Z

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Notice the statute of the Virgin Mary at the top of this mountain.

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2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Views of Lebanon's highest peaks from Tannourine.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Views of Lebanon's highest peaks from Tannourine.

I was planning to drive straight from Tannourine to Becherre, but as you can see the road was blocked! Instead, I had to backtrack back west through Ehden and other villages.

2009-03-18T16:40:50Z

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I was planning to drive straight from Tannourine to Becherre, but as you can see the road was blocked! Instead, I had to backtrack back west through Ehden and other villages.

The hiker in me was growing more anxious by the minute gazing at these towering peaks! Tannourine Fawqa is the village you see at the base.

2009-03-18T16:44:23Z

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The hiker in me was growing more anxious by the minute gazing at these towering peaks! Tannourine Fawqa is the village you see at the base.

The peaceful villages in the mountains were quite a contrast from the chaos of Beirut.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The peaceful villages in the mountains were quite a contrast from the chaos of Beirut.

Terraced hillside west of Tannourine, near Hardine.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Terraced hillside west of Tannourine, near Hardine.

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2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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This is the area where I actually stopped and asked for directions because all the signs were in Arabic and I could not read them. A very kind old man offered to lead me in his truck toward ...

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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This is the area where I actually stopped and asked for directions because all the signs were in Arabic and I could not read them. A very kind old man offered to lead me in his truck toward ...

Saint Mama's Church in Ehden. The oldest Maronite church in Lebanon.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Saint Mama's Church in Ehden. The oldest Maronite church in Lebanon.

Saint Mama's Church in Ehden.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Saint Mama's Church in Ehden.

This church dates back to 749 AD.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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This church dates back to 749 AD.

The center of the Lebanese Christian village of Ehden. I stopped here for lunch before continuing to Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The center of the Lebanese Christian village of Ehden. I stopped here for lunch before continuing to Becherre.

The drive between Ehden and Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The drive between Ehden and Becherre.

I loved the view of this church near Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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I loved the view of this church near Becherre.

Becherre, surrounded by the towering mountains of Lebanon. Becherre is the hometown of world famous poet, author and philosopher Khalil Gibran.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Becherre, surrounded by the towering mountains of Lebanon. Becherre is the hometown of world famous poet, author and philosopher Khalil Gibran.

The center of Becherre. I am standing in front of an old Maronite church. Notice the sign pointing towards the childhood home of Khalil Gibran.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The center of Becherre. I am standing in front of an old Maronite church. Notice the sign pointing towards the childhood home of Khalil Gibran.

Inside the Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Inside the Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

The Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

No caption needed!

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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No caption needed!

This monument is located in front of Gibran's childhood home and serves as a tribute to his brilliance and artistry.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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This monument is located in front of Gibran's childhood home and serves as a tribute to his brilliance and artistry.

WHAT IS MOST AMAZING IS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN CAME FROM SUCH A SIMPLE, HUMBLE UPBRINGING. Would you believe Gibran lived here with 7 of his relatives. T ...

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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WHAT IS MOST AMAZING IS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN CAME FROM SUCH A SIMPLE, HUMBLE UPBRINGING. Would you believe Gibran lived here with 7 of his relatives. T ...

Views eastward to the snowcapped mountains, from Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Views eastward to the snowcapped mountains, from Becherre.

A grotto honoring the Virgin Mary, located next to the Gibran Museum.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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A grotto honoring the Virgin Mary, located next to the Gibran Museum.

The Gibran Museum is located inside an old monastery that Gibran spoke of retiring in.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The Gibran Museum is located inside an old monastery that Gibran spoke of retiring in.

Khalil Gibran, 1883-1931 Gibran's "The Prophet" is the second best selling book of the 20th Century in the USA, after the Bible.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Khalil Gibran, 1883-1931 Gibran's "The Prophet" is the second best selling book of the 20th Century in the USA, after the Bible.

One can only imagine the inspiration Gibran found growing up in this beautiful area.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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One can only imagine the inspiration Gibran found growing up in this beautiful area.

I am alive like you, and I am standing beside you. Close your eyes and look around, you will see me in front of you. - Gibran's words on his epitaph.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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I am alive like you, and I am standing beside you. Close your eyes and look around, you will see me in front of you. - Gibran's words on his epitaph.

Waterfall next to a crowded restaurant in Becherre.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Waterfall next to a crowded restaurant in Becherre.

My favorite part is the red-tiled roofs typical of many Lebanese villages. This is Becherre, but I was reminded of the beautiful village of Deir el-Kamar.

2009-05-19T16:00:44Z

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My favorite part is the red-tiled roofs typical of many Lebanese villages. This is Becherre, but I was reminded of the beautiful village of Deir el-Kamar.

Becherre.

2009-03-18T17:21:24Z

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Becherre.

I was driving to "The Cedars," an area known for its nationally protected forest of Lebanon's famous tree as well as a big ski resort.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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I was driving to "The Cedars," an area known for its nationally protected forest of Lebanon's famous tree as well as a big ski resort.

Driving in Lebanon, whether in Beirut or the mountains, can get pretty hairy.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Driving in Lebanon, whether in Beirut or the mountains, can get pretty hairy.

The "Cedars of God" preserve near Becherre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lebanon Cedar has always been the national emblem of Lebanon, and it is seen on the Lebanese Flag. It is al ...

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The "Cedars of God" preserve near Becherre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lebanon Cedar has always been the national emblem of Lebanon, and it is seen on the Lebanese Flag. It is al ...

The Cedars Ski Resort. I got there just after closing.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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The Cedars Ski Resort. I got there just after closing.

I would be skiing in a few days in Faraya, upon my return from Jordan.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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I would be skiing in a few days in Faraya, upon my return from Jordan.

As a result of a long history of overexploitation, very few cedars remain in Lebanon.

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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As a result of a long history of overexploitation, very few cedars remain in Lebanon.

Does anyone know the name of this cross near The Cedars?

2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Does anyone know the name of this cross near The Cedars?

Final view of Becherre before I headed back to Beirut.

2009-03-18T17:28:04Z

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Final view of Becherre before I headed back to Beirut.

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2009-05-15T02:09:01Z

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Remembering my good friend Marc Hasrouny.

2009-03-18T17:28:27Z

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Remembering my good friend Marc Hasrouny.