Tripoli, La Mina and Otto Niemeyer

Left Beirut to stay in Tripoli for two nights. Trouble was that there was no room at the Quality Inn if you did not have a passport and I had left mine in the hotel in Beirut. Much hunting around found room at an Othodox Monastery in La Mina, the coastal city next to Tripoli. The monastery was happy to except my drivers licence as to proof of identity. I stayed in a cell repleat with crucifix and TV. I have not watched TV for two weeks and I was starting to get the shakes.

At 4.45am awoken by the faithful called to prayer by the surrounding mosques. Got back to sleep then woken this time by church bells ringing their faithful.

While in Tripoli checked out the Otto Niemeyer Fair site in Tripoli. Loved the arch.

After dinner walked along The Corniche at La Mina to watch the setting sun. On Sundays so does every other Tripolitan. The corniche was packed with families picnicing, kids riding bikes, teenagers on mini scooters, mums and dads promenading and parked cars, door open and music blaring filled with local lads showing off and checking out the talent.