RAIN THUNDERSTORMS WIND CLOUDS!!! whats going on here. friday (holy day) so there is nothing going on a luckily this internet cafe is open! was going to watch the camel racing today, but the roads are washed out and i cant go anywhere! so just chilling in Hama, smoking shisha and drinking chai and playing backgammon!

yesterday, visited the Krak des Chevalliers and old crusader castle and possibly one of the best castles in the world. What a site! see a few of the photos i have just put on! absolutely unreal, almost fairy-tale like in size!

The day before that, visited yet another castle Qualat Shesmeis, on top of an extinct volcano in the middle of some farmland close by where i currently am in Hama.

As this is the centre of Hama where most roads intersect, it is a great place to hang out and meet people and also just chill out and relax. My last day in Syria tomorrow and then off to Antakya in Turkey (ancient Antioch for those with biblical minds). the history, culture and people of this region and very fascinating.

Some tend to push their religion on you, some are complete fanatics and the rest are just very easy going and happy to welcome you to their country! I could stay much longer here - but its time to move on!!!