Libya - August 2008 - The Jebel Nafusa

Sarah, Karen, Phil and I went on a 12 hour adventure through the Southwest areas of Gharyan, The Jebel Nafusa (Western mountains). We visited several small towns including; Yefren, Bu Husayn, Ain az-Zarqa, Jadu and Kikari. At Yefren we stopped and took many pictures of the valley from the high cliffs and stopped at one area where locals were gathered and took pictures with them. This is also the area where Sarah and Karen were playing on the trees. Ain az-Zarqa is a natural spring hidden deep in a steep narrow valley near Jadu. At Qasr Al-Haj there’s a circular and enclosed fortified granary, it was closed today but we still walked around the entire place. We ended the day at Tameisa, a large abandoned and ancient stone village south of Jadu.
When we decided to head back we stopped at a road side baker and wanted to by a few pieces of flat bread so Sarah gave the guy a dinar and he gave us seven pieces, gees.

Our drive was a maniac driving back, I guess it was because Ramadan was starting soon and we had kept him out all day. He’s a good drive but very fast. The sitting arrangement was Phil in the front seat, Karen behind the drive, I was behind Phil and Sarah was in the back sitting in the middle position. Most of way back Karen and I were turned around so we could talk with Sarah. All the way back Sarah would grab the seat bracing for an impact because of the way the drive was maneuvering through traffic. One time we felt the van dip down forward on a hard stop, Sarah grab the seat extremely hard and her eyes pop out, her mouth opened wide but to her credit she never uttered a sound. That was a classic look on her face I will never forget. We made it back safe, had dinner and called it a night.

Libya, 2008 - Old Souk (Medina)

Bernard gave Karen, Joe, Mike Phil and I the tour that he and Sarah went on last Friday through the Medina and other parts of downtown. We met at the Marcas Sirilius Arc. He took us through the Medina pointing out different artifacts and buildings. We exited the Souk and headed to the Italian Square. Once again, gong over the history and architecture. We ended up getting a sit at an outdoor café and enjoying the scenery.

Libya, 2008 - Day Trip to Gharyan

Karen, Phil, The Candlelario’s, Helen and I went to Gharyan. We went traveling through the hills on Gharyan. This reminds me of the middle part of Arizona. We stopped at a few roadside merchants were they made and sold Berber pottery. Next, we found a traditional Berber troglodyte pit home. Amazing the temperature difference. It was near 100F in the sun, when we entered one on the side rooms in the pit the temperature dropped by 20-30F. Ancient AC. Next-door was a Berber home museum all setup so one can see how a family would function. We were invited in and given oregano tea. Then we made our way down the switchbacks in the valley below. We head back to Tripoli, one the way we spotted a restaurant and stopped. It was a Lebanese cuisine, was all order a chicken couscous dish. Very good.

Libya, 2008 - Day Trip to Leptis Mangna

Karen, Phil, Francisco, Foad, the Candlelario’s and I heading to the Roman ruins east of Tripoli, Leptis Magna. It’s about four times the size of Sabratha. We only saw about half of the sites, I ran out of steam because the sun was so intense. We will come back in November when its cooler. The driver was was Abdul Abkem the same drive that took us to Sabratha. He's one of the who drivers who wants English lessons while he is driving. On the way back we all slept so he had no one to talk to. Lucky us.

Libya, 2008 - Day Trip to Sabratha

Karen, Sarah, Phil and I headed to Sabratha and Tilel Beach which 90 minutes west of Tripoli. We took many  pictures of the ruins and museum located on the site. After we left the ruins and before we headed to the beach, we ate at a Lebanese restaurant, the food was very good.  And my first time eating real North African couscous.  After lunch, we headed west again to Tilel Beach.  First we stopped at a cliff overlooking the beach.  Very impressive and the water was crystal clear.  We drove a few more KM to a private beach that the drive arranged for us.  We hung out on the beach and enjoyed the Med.