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This photo was taken in one of the restaurants around Jbeil’s harbour.

I saw the black cat coming in (bad luck awaiting?), and she headed straight towards some plates that a waitress left for few minutes. For a second there I thought what animal could have been possibly eating from my ice cream bowl before I came! Few minutes later, a fly came in to answer my question.

On my way out it was near sunset, so I thought of taking some quick photos and make a panoramic image out of them. My trial seems to be not so good! I should get better photos next time. I used a software called Auto Stitch to combing these photos together by the way.

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Creating panoramic photos is a fun thing, and it isn’t really hard. All you to do is to take a set of photos for some location and then use Auto Stitch which will automatically stitch the full view for you in a few seconds. Care to show some work??

Although it is the third largest city in Lebanon, but I’ve never went to Saida and made a tour in the city until a few weeks ago. It might not be the best place in Lebanon but WOW, I was impressed!

Call me an ignorant, but I really didn’t even know there was a gorgeous old city there with people living in it! The streets are so tight and cozy, at some places they’re barely 2 meters wide.

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I was also surprised to know that the Audi family (yes those of Bank Audi) were involved in manufacturing soap bars in the old city of Saida, and they have actually established a soap museum in what used to be their soap factory.

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The museum is maintained by “Fondation Audi“. If you get to visit it, you will be able to also the Audi’s palace since the museum is located on the ground floor of it, and they’re both open to the public.

Oh and not only the Audi’s are famous there, but also the Debbane family! They have a great palace in Saida, which is nearly 300 years old, and it is also open to the public. Check its entrance in the photo below.

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It’s awesome from the inside but unfortunately I was not able to take good photos there. However, you can always refer to the Debbane Foundation’s website and preview the available photos there, although I believe they do NO justice to the palace.

I do recommend that you visit Saida in case you still have not done it yet, and make sure to go through the old souk. But, if you’re looking for luxurious places to have lunch and stuff, then Saida is SO NOT for you.

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