Back in 2011

The plan was to spend a few days in Beirut

Then get a taxi over the border into Syria to spend the rest of the holiday

The “Arab Spring” had kicked off in the middle east

The civil war in Syria erupted, just as I landed in Beirut

In fact, the UK Foreign office called us and told us to get out

As they thought we were actually in Syria

The border was closed between Lebanon and Syria

I never got to syria in the end, but still have the unused visa

In terms of the holiday

A change of plan

Got a flight from Beirut, to the capital of Jordan, Amman

Hired a car and went to Petra, the dead sea (the Jordan side)

Then stayed at a eco-lodge who we found out had fake reviews on tripadvisor 

That's a tale for another day 

As for Syria

Let’s hope that the changes taking place in Syria now settle down

And they start to accept tourists

Such as beautiful country and wonderful people 

I hope I'm second time lucky with my Syrian visa and I get to go