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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:00:14 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:02:25 -0800

alti
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!

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:05:24 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:01:33 -0800

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Statute of the Virgin Mary.

Gorgeous vistas in Tannourine Tahta.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:07:01 -0800

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Gorgeous vistas in Tannourine Tahta.

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

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:05:36 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:10:11 -0800

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

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nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:57:55 -0700

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Views of Lebanon's highest peaks from Tannourine.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:17:15 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:10:51 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:21:30 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:33:43 -0800

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

Terraced hillside west of Tannourine, near Hardine.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:56:07 -0800

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Terraced hillside west of Tannourine, near Hardine.

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nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:46:13 -0800

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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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:04:10 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:00:02 -0800

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

Saint Mama's Church in Ehden.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:02:50 -0800

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Saint Mama's Church in Ehden.

This church dates back to 749 AD.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:57:40 -0800

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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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:48:33 -0800

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

The drive between Ehden and Becherre.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:55:49 -0800

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The drive between Ehden and Becherre.

I loved the view of this church near Becherre.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:52:42 -0800

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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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:51:14 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:07:20 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:08:29 -0800

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Inside the Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

The Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:10:26 -0800

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The Maronite church at the center of Becherre.

No caption needed!

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:11:20 -0800

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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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:06:35 -0800

alti
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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:50:28 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:36:42 -0800

alti
Views eastward to the snowcapped mountains, from Becherre.

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

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:36:15 -0800

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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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:46:33 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:43:52 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:41:26 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:42:13 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:39:09 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:16:32 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:12:22 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:32:26 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:31:11 -0800

alti
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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:28:37 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:27:30 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:26:16 -0800

alti
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.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:13:39 -0800

alti
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?

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:12:55 -0800

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

Final view of Becherre before I headed back to Beirut.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:23:14 -0800

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Final view of Becherre before I headed back to Beirut.

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nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:58:09 -0700

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Remembering my good friend Marc Hasrouny.

nobody@smugmug.com (alti) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:22:16 -0800

alti
Remembering my good friend Marc Hasrouny.