well-preserved carved sarcophagi in the National Museum Beirut, Lebanon

                                                   The Qadisha Valley is undoubtedly the most scenic area of Lebanon.

                               Roman ruins from  around 2750 BC at Tyre in southern Lebanon near the Palestinian border.

                  

stained glass depicting the Annunciation in Maghdouché Basilica, Beirut, Lebanon – note the dark faces of Mary and the angel.

                                       These more-substantial remains at Baalbek speak of the glory of a bygone civilisation.

beginning a few pictures of Lebanon

                         Even the ravages of time could not dim the beauty of these weathered remains at Baalbek, Lebanon.

                                             The theatre at Byblos, Lebanon, was located in a particularly attractive setting. 

e 

These are for the ladies and complete my pictures of Iran. See more on my blog site.

                                   Women wore elaborate clothes beneath the hijab, and many of the fashions were exquisite.

The remarkable village of Kandovan, Iran, with homes excavated from tors of rock looming above stone-built dwellings with crude wooden doors.

This village was reminiscent of the Cappadocia area in Turkey.

timeless stone village of Palangan, Iran

Whilst atmospheric, living conditions left a lot to be desired.

a man and his donkey in the village of Zenuza, Iran

A heavily laden beast.