Tripoli

Day 4 – Tripoli

Posted on March 26, 2018

Ahlan wa sahlan!

Just a quick one today, as we didn’t do a whole lot. We checked out of our hotel in Beirut by 11am, heading out to brunch before our drive to Tripoli. We opted to eat at the same place we had dinner the other night, since we knew it was good. There was also a Juice Bar nearby, so we were able to get some specialty juice! Can confirm, was amazing.

After our food, we went on the hour or so drive to Tripoli, to the apartment we’re staying in (which is owned by one of our relatives). We settled in, then headed out for a walk around the area to get our bearings. Turns out one of the electoral candidates was visiting nearby today, so it wasn’t the best day for a stroll.

There were convoys of cars adorned with posters/signs, blaring music and beeping their horns obnoxiously. Not to mention the large amount of military driving around. But we found some nearby restaurants, a supermarket, and surprisingly a gaming lounge. Might have to check it out.

Once we had finished our stroll, we bought some supplies from the supermarket and headed back to rest before our family in Tripoli came to visit. Some of them are pictured above!

It’s nice to meet family here, though conversation can always be difficult with the language barrier. We had some nice kanafeh though, which is the main thing.

Day 5 – Tripoli

Posted on March 27, 2018

First of all, big mood.

Our day started with a healthy dose of walking, from our apartment to a restaurant where we were meeting some family for breakfast. The streets are a lot more rundown and chaotic than in Beirut, but were interesting to see.

We eventually got to the restaurant, but it turned out there are two in the area, and we were at the wrong one. Once we sorted that out, we strapped in for some food. Another turn of events later, we found out the restaurant only serves Fūl. Luckily, it was actually really good. They had a lot of different types too, but the classic was the best. We also saw a two year old smoking a cigarette… That put a damper on things.

After eating, our relative showed us around the area, walking around the various markets and shops nearby, including a place which make their own soaps, located in a nice little courtyard area.

We eventually made our way back to our family’s house for a catch-up and a drink. Soon after, we headed back out to return to our apartment for a few hours, but hit a bit of a snag… Everyone wanted to stop at a jewellery shop, and a quick look turned into a browse, turned into a shop, turned into about forty-five minutes, during which the sane few of us uninterested, had to stand outside and wait like obedient dogs.

At some point during the monotonous wait, I started sneezing. It’s now four hours later and I’m still sneezing. Let this be a cautionary tale for all future shoppers.

I’m home resting with the youngens this evening while the others go to their uncle’s house for dinner. Tomorrow we do some sort of tour I believe. Hopefully I’m better by then. If not, I know who to blame:

Day 8 – Tripoli

Posted on March 30, 2018

Go fish.

Today was all about food and family. And boy oh boy was there a lot of food. We got to sleep in a bit, before meeting up with family at a nearby restaurant for lunch. Here’s a snippet of our meal.

I filled up on the huge amount of mezze provided, before realising the meat was still to come. Chicken, lahmeh, kefta – stacks on stacks on stacks. I forced some down (as well as two orange juices, which were 9/10’s), and then out came the dessert and fruit.

Another huge food coma later, we went back to our relatives house which was next door to the restaurant. The house was huge, right on the water, and super fancy.

We hung out there, took some photos had more dessert, drinks and played cards until the evening. I think this is the third day in a row we’ve eaten so much to be bursting at the seams.

It sounds like tomorrow will be another chill family day, so may not be many photos. I’ll try and get some though.

Day 9 – Tripoli

Posted on March 31, 2018

Your team are noobs.

A late start for us today, while the others were out doing god knows what. They did order some lunch for us though (wraps) which were delivered and consumed with great delight in the afternoon.

Then we got ready to go to another relative’s house for dessert and a catch-up. Another lavish home with a great view of Tripoli, with both the ocean and the mountains visible. I saw my first proper sunset here (usually it’s obstructed, or we’re busy doing something else).

After many sweets, cake and fruit, we said goodbye and drove a short distance to another relative’s house for dinner, followed by even more dessert. We finally met some cousins who were our age though and spoke English well, so we could actually hang out and have conversations (and a sneaky OW game). What a strange feeling.

After our meal, they took us youngens out to a swanky underground bar, which had live music (English songs tonight!) and we had even more food and drinks.

It was nice to go out at night and do something different for a change. This post is late because we got back late and I was too tired. It won’t happen again (haha…ha).

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