"Contrasting Scenery" Lebanon by Romanian_Bat

Lebanon impresses one through both its ancient archaeological sites and its more recent history. There is a contrasting, captivating time frame this country exists and has existed in. Imposing old temples, scenically located palaces, crowded souqs, as well as beautifully restored French mandate buildings, all meet to provide a diverse image with a unique and rich fragrance.

Raise high the roof beam, Beirut

Beirut, the first stop over for many people going to Lebanon, is a city that grows as one looks at it. There are cranes, scaffoldings, trucks, workers moving around. Buildings are being exquisitely restored, others are being set, steep slopes are turned in residential or business quarters overnight. There is a rush to develop, to get higher, bigger or wider areas, there is a sense of living life at maximum that cannot leave one indifferent.

Reading the newspaper, Sidon

The owner of a small terrace in Sidon reading the newspaper and enjoying a small cup of very strong coffee with the calmest mood ever. The crowded, so lively and vivid atmosphere surrounding Cola "transportation hub" in Beirut. A narghile on a once elegant terrace in front of a once glamourous building in Tripoli, nowadays boasting plastic chairs and a very interesting crowd. The first thing two drivers did after having an accident in Baalbek: shaking hands.

More details on my trip to Lebanon to be found in the travelogue down here.

• Pros:Inspiring views, heterogenous people, ancient sites.
• In a nutshell:A country that lives to the maximum and makes people live.