Tag Archives | beach

What Are These Excavation Works in Ramlet El Bayda?

By Rami on November 13, 2016 in Environment, Governmental

Many activists have been sharing photos since Thursday of excavations works currently happening at Beirut’s last public beach in Ramlet El Bayda but nobody was able to explain their purpose yet.

Over the last couple of years there has been a lot of talk about the area being a private property and that a resort will be built there by Achour Development. However, right before the previous municipal council’s term ended last spring, it was announced that the municipality of Beirut will be claiming back the beach and surrounding land in order to keep it accessible to the public. News about the whole thing then eventually stopped circulating until these photos started surfacing online.

Knowing that the “Byeirteh” list’s promise when they were elected was to keep Beirut for its people, I hope they were considering Ramlet El Bayda a part of the capital when they made their promise back then.

In all cases, I tried to reach both of Ziad Chbib (Beirut governor) and Jamal Itani (Beirut mayor) to know the purpose of these excavation works and will definitely post an update if they reply to me.

Photos via Lama Karamé and Joelle Boutros.

Pierre Hachach – Ya Ret

By Rami on December 19, 2014 in Lebanon

Pierre Hachache ya ret

Uhh ok… and why exactly do you need a provocative video for that song?

Man saved from drowning in Ain El Mrayseh

By Rami on June 13, 2013 in Lebanon

Those who jumped into the water to save the drowning man are some very brave guys indeed!

Dolphins still appearing near Zouk

By Rami on May 6, 2013 in Lebanon

Looks like the dolphins that were spotted a while ago are still hanging around our sea. The below photos were posted by Virgin Radio a couple of days ago, with Zouk Power Plant showing in the background of one of them.

Claire Danes in Beirut

By Rami on October 2, 2012 in Funny

So as I mentioned in a previous post, the events in the first episodes of “Homeland” take place in Beirut, but its producers decided to shoot these scenes in Tel Aviv and make it look like Beirut as shown in the above photo. Still, the result didn’t seem pretty convincing to Karl from Karl reMarks blog, and so he offered the below alternatives!

Kitesurfing in Batroun

By Rami on September 9, 2012 in Lebanon

Looks pretty cool! It isn’t clear though if there’s some kind of a kitesurfing school there in Batroun or these were just a bunch of pro kitesurfers having fun.

Discrimination at Saint-George Yacht Club & Marina (Beirut)

By Rami on June 29, 2012 in Lebanon

The Anti Racism Movement in Lebanon is still trying to end the discrimination at beach resorts by not only naming and shaming as they did 2 years ago with Sporting Club, but also by reporting those who deny entry to foreign workers to the ministry of tourism, since a circular was issued a while ago banning discrimination at beaches and demanding fair treatment of all people, regardless of skin color, background, occupation, or nationality.

Check the below video showing how some activists behind the Anti Racism Movement reported a discrimination act at the Saint-George Yacht Club and Marina.

According to what they wrote in a blog post today, and as per the tourism police, Saint-George will be fined, and a date for the trial is currently being set.

Skiing and swimming in the same day

By Rami on April 8, 2012 in Lebanon

We’ve all heard a million times that in Lebanon you can ski and swim in the same day, but did you ever meet someone who really did that?

Alex Taylor, a reporter in The Daily Star, felt like confirming the myth a few days ago and actually went skiing at Mzaar in the morning, then drove around noon to Jbeil and hit the beach.

After a few runs, I’m feeling exhilarated, but a bit overheated and in need of a swim. It might be the booming tunes by Stereo Love and the Black Eyed Peas blaring from the lodge speakers or maybe subliminal messaging from all the billboards advertising vodka, but I’m feeling ready for another, world-renowned Lebanese pastime – to party. I take off my skis, intent on joining the snow bunnies drinking white wine at the lodge in their furry, Prada boots, but remember that I have a mission.

I’m off to Jbeil, following flashy Hummers driving down the mountain. As I descend, the temperature rises, as do the glorious smokestacks of the Zouk power plant just ahead. Beach, here I come. Source

And just like the article revolves around a cliche idea about Lebanon, it also has a cliche start and ending. For some reason, Alex started by comparing Lebanon to the rising phoenix, and ended it by telling that she still has to pay Skybar a visit to see the “real” Lebanon there (yeah right).

Freeze end of summer! I will shoot you!

By Rami on November 15, 2009 in Freeze I will shoot you

This post should be more like “Freeze Batroun! I will shoot you!” because all the photos below were taken early in October at Batroun, but since none of Batroun landmarks appear in the photos, and due to the fact that I intended to capture photos for the people enjoying the last few days of the Summer in 2009, this post is going to be freezing the end of summer! (And yes I’m 1 month late on publishing it, shame on me!)

Enough with talking, let’s move to the photos.