With much anticipation and excitement, Embassy of Malaysia and PERWAKILAN Amman consisted of a 25-member group of Home-Based Staffs (HBS) and PERWAKILAN ladies ventured into Lebanon and Syria for a two-day trip from 24 to 25 July 2009.
Members of tours enjoying their coffee break at the Jordan-Syrian border As early as 4:30 am, all members gathered at the Embassy of Malaysia, ready to go. Like many typical Malaysians, the journey was continuously filled with coffee and snack break. After crossing borders of Jordan and Syria to enter into Lebanon, the group headed to Beirut. The first stop was to Jeitta Grotto, an interconnected karstic limestone caves which is one of the popular recreational spot and major tourist attraction in Lebanon. After a hectic walk for about two hours, the group stopped for the night at Bzommar Hotel, Harissa ? an important Lebanese pilgrimage site for Christians where the Statue of Virgin Mary is situated. The height of 650 meter above sea level and its winding road took the group one hour to reach to the top of the hill. However, the journey worth all the effort when the group were presented with a breathtaking view and cooling fresh air. 'Family members' of Embassy of Malaysia, Amman On the following day, the group proceeded to Byblos, another tourist attraction in Lebanon. Byblos was believed to have settlements since 5000 BC. It was also an important military base in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 11th and 12th century, and the remains of its crusader castle are among the most impressive architectural structures now visible at its center. Scenic views in Byblos A ' family warmth' capture All HBS and PERWAKILAN ladies later traveled to Beirut city, where the group was warmly welcomed by the Embassy of Malaysia and the PERWAKILAN in Beirut. They were served with sumptuous lunch at the Chancery, followed by appreciation remarks by H.E. Dato? Abdul Malek Abdul Aziz, Ambassador of Malaysia to Jordan, and Datin Jamilah Talib, spouse to the Ambassador and Chairman to the PERWAKILAN Amman. Members of tours is served with Malaysian food at Embassy of Malaysia in Beirut Datin Jamilah Talib, Chairman of PERWAKILAN Amman hands tokens of appreciation to Encik Zainal Azlan, Charge d' Affaires of Embassy of Malaysia in Beirut At the last leg of the tour, the group stopped at Hamidiyyah Souk in Syria. After a few hours of shopping, the group feasted themselves with a long table of Arab food in one of the local restaurants.
'Makan, makan!' ('Eat, eat!')
Hopefully all members enjoyed the trip and cherish all the fond memories in Lebanon and Syria!