A Trip to Palm Islands

Last weekend we went to the UNESCO Reserve site of Palm Islands. It is a boat ride across from the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. This was the furthest north we have been in Lebanon. This island is only open 3 months out of the year because loggerhead turtles lay their eggs there and it is a resting place for monk seals. It is also a stop for many migratory birds as well. Here is a link to the wikipedia page on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands_Nature_Reserve

We took the trip with a tour group. Many of our colleagues also chose to go on this trip. While it was wonderful to get away from Beirut, this trip took us to a beautiful place that is obviously unappreciated by many people.

On our way we stopped by an artisan pottery shop.

It was surprising how quickly the artist could just create 10 pots.

He ended up smashing quite a few of the ones he made in front of us but he did keep some.

We arrived at the harbor to go out to the island. This harbor was incredibly polluted. Coming from a harbor town I am familiar with unclean water around docked boats but I had never seen anything like this.

We got on the boat and my good friend Sharon and I had to take a picture.  It was so hot (90's with 80% humidity) we were hoping to get away from the heat.

The girls were excited as well. We had to go through a military check point to leave the harbor. Or course, no pictures were allowed.

As we were leaving we went under this bridge that went out to a small island. Notice the blockage. I guess it was closed.

Here is the island.

On our way out to Palm Island we saw a few people diving for shellfish.

Some of the islands looked just like this.  I'm sure you have to be familiar with this area while boating or you can wreck your boat.

After about 40 minutes on the boat we arrived at our island.

When we got there only a couple boats were there. When we left it was packed.

We climbed off the boat and went across this walkway.

The island was very dry (it being the end of a very hot summer) but we say many of these lovely flowers. Wild onions.

Our guide took us on a 1/2 hour walk around this island. It is also known as rabbit island but Janna was the only one to see a bunny.

This old building was put there to observe birds and wildlife..

While up in the building we could see the island next to ours. Until 1982 it was a Palestinian Refugee Camp. With the lack of water and food out here I bet it was a difficult place to live.

We then walked back to our beach spot. The island is very small. I bet you could walk all the way around it in about an hour to hour and half on a cooler day.

The water was very warm but still quite refreshing.  

On our way back into shore both of the girls fell asleep.  Playing in the sun, walking and swimming tired all of us out.

On our way back kids were jumping off of the bridge. They were daredevils for sure. Jumping right in front of our boat.

Just a quick picture of the coastline. If you look carefully you can see the Lebanese Army's tanks....

 On our way back we hopped on the bus and saw some interesting sites. Here are some of the pictures.

The Palm Islands are an incredible and beautiful place that should be pristine and treasured by the community. Sadly, it was absolutely polluted. Trash and garbage were everywhere.  The islands that we went past were covered with garbage that people had obviously left there as well as trash that had blown/floated in.  Our tour guide said that after the islands close for the season he and a select group go out and clean the island that we were on so the turtles and other wildlife are not as effected.  This made me happy but still, I was saddened that such a beautiful place could be so unkept.