Dr. Myriam- The Dental Aesthetic Clinic

Tag: Travel Photography

10 days in Lebanon (day 8) en route to Cedars of Lebanon

June 19, 2018 to Cedars of Lebanon

We were out everyday so we decided to rest for a day (7) and today (8) we went driving, instead of riding a tourist bus. It was a beautiful day, stopping to smell the freshness of the air and appreciate the beauty of nature.

We passed by Deir El Kamar, where we went down on Dany Chamoun Square. In here we found the statue of Camille Chamoun – 2nd president of the Lebanese Republic. Marie Baz Museum was just at the corner but we did not get in. The old stone houses and pavement was a history in itself, even the souvenirs were all interesting to look at. The Fakreddine mosque built-in 1493.We also walked toward the Church of Saidet el Talleh which was built-in the 17th century. The entrance of Prince Chehabi’s Castle built-in 1756. Wow! I felt like I went into the time machine. 🙂

Chamoun square

entrance at Prince Chehabi Castle

Church of Saedet el Talleh

Fakreddine mosque

We have also seen the outside of Moussa mosque but we did not get in,I think this day was a day that we opted not to spend money for entrance fees 🙂 On our way to Cedar mountain, we have seen locally harvest tomatoes , that looks like apples. Real big!

Beautiful! A must see for you ladies!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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July 6, 2018
10 days in Lebanon (day 6) From Saint Charbel church to Baatara Gorge Waterfall and Douma

June 17, 2018 Saint Charbel church

Before going to our final destination of the day, we passed by St charbel Church, located at the outskirt of the town Jezzine. A lot of people came to attend the Sunday mass. We also saw a group of Filipinos, who were on tour. St Maroun Monastery is also St Charbel Sanctuary. One thing that I noticed was the oil of healing. I was told, if you blessed the oil, it can heal your pain.But I guess, it comes with the faith too. There were a lot of souvenirs on sale as well as goods like cheese, yogurt which is locally produced. One particular harvest that took my attention were the torpedo onions

locally produced Torpedo onions – an Italian variety dry onion with sweet taste used in salad

June 17, 2018 Baatara Gorge Waterfall

Balou’ Bala’a or Baatara gorge waterfall is located 76 km from Beirut. It is also known as “Cave of Three Bridges” though I was not able to really get into the 3rd bridge (fear of heights) this is an amazing hike not to mention my attire 🙂 I know I should have research the place so I can dressed appropriately.

The photo doesn’t show much the steepness of the cliff and the ruggedness of the rocks but I was braved to try, at least on the first level 🙂 The water that flows was not that enormous, I guess there was no rainfall on June.

photo taken from the poster

Activities include walking to the monkey bridge, climbing, tyrolienne, hiking, abseiling and camping. Did we do all of that? Nope! no time 🙂

Lunch at Douma Village, this is our 3rd day of Barbecue, wow! 3 consecutive days, I am not complaining but my tummy says otherwise 🙂 After lunch as usual, people were dancing and of course there’s a belly dancer too! Then we went roaming around the old market.

Tired but happy to be on tour with this couple.

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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June 29, 2018
10 days in Lebanon (day 5) Beqaa Valley to Baalbek Roman Ruins

June 16, 2018 Beqaa – Bekaa

ladies just wanna have fun 🙂

Wow! This is the 5th day, imagine waking up early morning everyday, thinking what to wear ? hahaha True!

Believe me…I see you’re smiling, with my madame malou huh! Wearing same clothes for two consecutive day is a NO! Period! Funny, I was told that Lebanese women are very fashionable, like to wear high heels etc. So , I packed a reasonable clothes, kind of middle, not too formal, not too rugged , a wedge shoes and a rubber shoes. Oh! I’m glad I also packed a jogging pants, just in case 🙂 If I knew beforehand, we will be hiking and walking everyday, I will bring a more appropriate clothing and foot wear.

Beqaa is fertile valley in the eastern region, located about 30 km east of Beirut. It is situated between Mt. Lebanon to the west and Anti -Lebanon mountains to the east.

The water that flows came from the Valley. It’s a beautiful place with lots of trees. And as we drive forward, in a middle of nowhere, a spectacular view of a man-made lake (not sure actually) awaits us. Awesome view, my photos were taken while I am inside the bus.

The elongated plateau is known for its warm and dry summer and on winter the mountains were covered by snow.

During Lebanese civil war, cannabis cultivation was a major source of income, but it seems, it continues until now. Fields were planted with figs, apples and cannabis as well.

We went down and took photos, and of course ladies, we had a fun-filled photo shoot 🙂

June 16, 2018 – Baalbek Roman Ruins

Ba’albek or Baalbek is an ancient Phoenician city in Anti – Lebanon foothills east of Beqaa Valley. ( the name “Baalbek” means Lord Baal of Beqaa Valley). It’s fascinating to note that Baalbek inhabited as early as 9000BCE. Alexander the great conquered Baalbek and renamed it as “Heliopolis” City of the sun.

normal houses can be seen around the roman ruins

I know, in my high school year, hmmm pardon me, I only remembered some words in my History book like Ottoman empire, Alexander the Great, Heliopolis City 🙂 Not in my wildest dream that one day, I will be standing at the ruins of Ancient Roman Empire. I wonder how these massive tons of stones were moved ,placed and arranged.

look at me 🙂 nope look at the stones, so huge! how they were able to moved it? Fascinating.. right?

Another wonder of all wonder is the giant stone called “Stone of the Pregnant Woman”

Stone of the South -is a Roman Monolith

Pregnant stone? does it deliver stone? hahaha nope! There were many stories behind the given name. One says, the monolith is named after a pregnant woman who tricked the people into believing that she knew how to moved the huge stone, if only they would feed her until she gave birth. While other say, the name reflects the belief that any woman who touches the stone will increase the chance of getting pregnant.

Ladies, whatever the story is, Baalbek should be in your bucket list!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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June 28, 2018
Etihad Business Class: a Review

aerial view of abu Dhabi

I had the opportunity to be in the business class of Etihad airways. (I know, I told myself not again!) I have no problem with the in flight service but this is my second time to fly that I was stranded for a day. It’s a hassle to be delayed even though they accommodate you to a five-star hotel like Al Raha Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The bathroom of my hotel room is as big as my master bedroom in my house in the Philippines. Seriously yes!

entrance to the bathroom

the toilet room

bath tub

shower enclosure

The lobby was still decorated with a holiday theme at the time of my checked in.

It’s a festive moment but my mind was busy about my mom being hospitalized back home , I knew if it was a different time, I would say Thank you Etihad for bringing me to this place.

Al Raha beach hotel (my window view)

Here’s peek of how Etihad business class looks like 🙂

a mixed emotion indeed!

i had pre order of oriental vegetables meal

This is the Business Class lounge in Abu Dhabi Int. Airport, its complete with buffet, sleeping area, spa and you can even take a shower if you would like to refresh.

Would I take the same flight?

Etihad airways? hmmm maybe If I am not in a hurry and I don’t mind being stranded for a day, Yes!

Ladies, where is the next adventure?

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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February 6, 2018
Four days Road Trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – the finale- Maqna (Well of Moses)

Day 4 -Monday Sept. 4,2017

From Jeddah to AL Ula (Madain Saleh) to Tabuk, a long four days road trip, 3 hotels, adobo, al baik, lamb mandi to pizza and ice cream, that was awesome!

Maqna or Magna is located in Tabuk province. It was known that “Bir Al Saidni” is the well from which Moses rolled away the stone to draw water for the flocks of Jewish settlers.

Fast forward, before we reached the area, we passed a small area of water along the way.And I was thinking how difficult it was for Moses and the Israelites coming from Egypt, passing through the Gulf of Aqaba to Mt. Sinai, a vast desert, hills of rocks and suddenly the rock was split open to provide water. Wow! I am fascinated by the history of the place.

The sight to the coastal area was like a “gasp on the air”.

an almost half circle, a place to pray?

Imagine you are lost in a desert and found this well, I think you will be shouting and jumping of joy!

Thank you to Gabriel Fam, Alji fam and Pino fam for this trip. I had a wonderful Eid holiday 🙂

and to the boys who drove us for four days just to see those wonderful places.

Thank you !

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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September 8, 2017
Four days road trip – in search of Mt. Sinai ( Part 3) Jabal Al Lawz and Gulf of Aqaba

DAY 3 Sunday Sept. 3, 2017

I guess the photo says it all 🙂 are we going ahead with this trip? hahahaha Who can say no to madame Rhea! clap your hand and raise your feet 🙂 o la la …

Along the way, we have seen a lot of beautiful sceneries that no photos can justify our feelings at that moment. Ladies, you should do wonders to drag your husband to this trip, it is worth a try, trust me!

After a long travel to reach Mt Sinai, the road has ended with a barricade. Oh yeah, there was no sign what so ever that we can get through. So, we just took in the scenery with a sigh and relief that at last we have seen how difficult the survival was.

For a little trivia, Mt Sinai is the mountain at which the Ten commandments were given to Moses by God. It was found in Egypt but contested later on by historian that the actual location is in Saudi Arabia. Whichever is right, this road trip is worth a try, having seen the red sand dunes, the archaeological arts of rocks, oasis,gulf of aqaba and the tip of Mt. Sinai, indeed, this is the most memorable road trip ever.

Another contested trivia is the Red sea crossing of Israelites at the gulf of Aqaba. We headed to see the coastal view of Gulf of Aqaba, which could be seen or divided between four countries namely:Saudi Arabia,Jordan,Israel and Egypt.

A half sunken ship can be seen 55 km south from Haql city in Tabuk province. The water is crystal clear, which is good for swimming, unfortunately we were not ready for this 😦 The place is known as “Al mashee well”, I would call it as Haql Shipwreck beach 🙂 because literally the half sunken vessel is just along the shore and with the mountain backdrop and the crystal blue water, one can imagine that you’re in a movie set.

would you imagine these are your crews?

Would you be jumping with joy?

Or would you just walk away?

Whatever your answer is… keep it to yourself 🙂

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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September 8, 2017
Four days road trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – Part 2 The Elephant Rock

DAY 2 Saturday Sept. 2, 2017

I can’t say it was a good night sleep but we woke up early to have a sunrise view at the elephant rock.

This photo was taken after a car driven by crazy “young adult” circled around , I guess they were showing off and created a big sand dust around us. However, it didn’t get into our nerves, we still went on 🙂 the mandatory jump shot!

Back to road and we just found out there is a better accommodation than the furnished apartment we have rented. The place is “Shaden Resort” hmmm we will come back for sure.

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi@beautybeyondfifty

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September 6, 2017
Four Days Road Trip – in search of Mt. Sinai – Part 1

Seriously? Yep Four days!

I don’t know how we were able to… but here we are alive and kicking 🙂 My friend Rhea came from a two months holiday and a day after they arrived, we joined another groups of family to a road trip which we thought will just be an overnight thing, like two days and one night OMG!

DAY 1 Friday Sept. 1,2017

We left Jeddah at 4:30 am. not wasting time huh 🙂 considering I worked a day before, rhea just arrived and here we are, traveling early in the morning. Yep! you got it right..we are the “lakwatsera” wanderlust of Jeddah. Beautybeyondfifty is all smile 🙂

Anyhow, we stopped in Yanbu and had our breakfast .Yep! your guess is right again 🙂 we had “adobo and rice”.

Arrived in Al Ula around 12:30 noon, unfortunately, Arac Hotel was closed and we headed to find a furnished apartment. We had ” adobo and rice” again for lunch :-). At 3:30 pm we moved to see Madain Saleh. We’ve been here before but we were still excited to see the ancient Nabatean caravan city which is filled with desert tombs.

interesting to note, the plants are green

Oh by the way, You only need Iqama to get in, there’s no permit anymore and it is open until 6pm.

At the entrance is a replica of the old train and Al Hijaz railway station.

if you like to see more click Slow down Camel crossing…Road trip to Madaín Saleh

Hence, we’ve been here year 2012, we didn’t stay long. We went to Al Ula to enjoyed the sunset view at the peak of its plateau.

At last the wonderous group went hungry and nope no “adobo and rice” this time 🙂

We had lamb mandi for dinner! hurrah!

Z z z z z z z z z z z z what a day to remember!

to be continued…

Cheers,

Jamilamimi @beautybeyondfifty

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September 5, 2017
Red Sand Dunes – an NaFud Al KaBir Tabuk region

I came home from a four days road trip ,exhausted but happy and can’t stop looking at the photos I took. Hmmm can’t really decide upfront which one to upload first. I am fascinated by the red color of the sand dunes in Tabuk region. It’s a small area of the vast desert where you can see a red sand dunes.This place in An Nafud al kabir is a sight to behold and no photos can literally translate my feelings to see this beautiful nature. We didn’t mind the hot weather, I can feel the hotness, redness of my face but I didn’t back off taking photos.

What is more fascinating, the green grass has two shades of green!

I am giggling inside seeing this awesome scenery, I thank God for the creation.

Ladies, have time to enjoy the nature, look at beyond the beauty of nature.

It’s a wonderful feeling!

Cheers,

Jamilamimi @beautybeyondfifty

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September 4, 2017
Wordless Wednesday

almikwa ,al bahah, saudi arabia

August 23, 2017