The Cache
The cache is located half way between the monastery
and the old church of Nurieh. (see also information below) Use the
steps which are connecting these two buildings. Search for a small
geocaching symbol a little beside the way. Next to it you will find
the black container.
I visited the monastery of Nurieh every time I have been to Lebanon
and this is since 1997.
I like very much the beautiful, calm and peaceful garden. It is
even nicer when the sun starts setting. The strange formed pine
trees throw large shadows and everything is put into the orange/red
light of the setting sun.
That is the reason why we always come in the afternoon to
Nurieh.
So be advised to search for this cache in the afternoon and use the
option to see the sunset at this amazing place.
More Information
If you are coming from Beirut to search for this geocache, take the
highway to Tripoli.
Mussaylha Fort
After leaving Batroun you will see an old castle to
the right, the Mussaylha Fort. If you can see the castle, you
unfortunately drove to far to visit it. As far as I know there is
only a small exit on the highway towards Tripoli before you reach
the castle.
It is worth visiting it. But for visiting the castle you have to
pay at the entrance.
In the internet I found conflicting informations about the question
who build the first stronghold at this place. Some sites tell that
crusaders build the first castle in the middleages. Some other
sites say that it is only supposed that crusaders build a castle at
this site but that there are no clues for a former crusader
castle.
However, the fort in the dimensions you can see today was build in
1624 by Emir Fakhreddine II to protect the route from
Tripoli to Beirut.
wikipedia.org
Ministry of Tourism
Breaking the Laws of Physics
After passing the castle the highway leads you thru a tunnel.
Shortly after this tunnel there is the exit ramp which you have to
take. It is really like a kind of ramp. It leads you towards a
bridge over the highway. Stop your car at the middle of this ramp
(If there is no car behind you!), turn your car to freewheel and
see what is happening!
It seems as if the car is rolling up the ramp towards the bridge.
Funny, eh?
Deir el Nourieh
When you crossed the highway using the bridge take
the road to the left which will lead you to the next village named
Hamat. At the first crossroad in this village (there is also a
small filling station) you turn right. The typical brown sign for
tourist information will also show you the way to the monastery.
Just follow the street. After a while it brings you to the
monastery.
Behind the monastery on the right there is a view
point from which you can look down to the sea. On good days you can
see Tripoli far away and with some luck (and the right weather) the
Syrian coast. From this view point you can also see stairs leading
down to the old church of Nurieh.
Before going down ask the nuns for the key to the church. With some
luck they give it to you. With less luck they will send a guide
with you, so searching for the geocache will not be so easy.
Please don’t tell the nuns or the guide about
geocaching and send the guide away after visiting the church and
before you start searching for the cache.
It is believed that two sailors built the shrine in the 4th
century. One winter night, on a very stormy sea, the two sailors
found themselves in peril. They began praying, and the Virgin
appeared to them as a light and guided them gently to the
shore.
The Greek orthodox monastery of Deir Nouriyeh we see today was
built in mediaeval times and restored in recent years. It is also
thought to have been built over a pagan temple.
wikipedia.org
Ministry of Tourism
Saint Simon Church
Take the road that brought you to the monastery to
its end. Here you can find another old but renewed and beautiful
church.
Watching the sunset at this place is also amazing. If there are not
too many clouds you can see the sun splashing into the sea.
;-)
Unfortunately I did not find any information about this church in
the internet.
short note on cache maintenance:
My dear geocaching friend hoviv and my Lebanese family have offered
to assist.
Thank you very much for this.
happy caching, joeggisch