Suprising Syrian Souks

Tourist numbers in Syria rose 12% again last year from 2008 levels. Although the government deems almost any foreigner who enters to be a tourist this is more encouraging news for a country that has been under US sanctions since 2004 for its support of militant groups.

Syria, which contains several important sites of antiquity, including the ancient city of Palymra and the wonderful Crak de Chevaliers, received around six million tourists, including 1.1 million Syrian expatriates and 3.6 million Arabs, in 2009, the state media said.

The ruling Baath Party has taken steps to liberalise the economy after decades of nationalisation and bans on private enterprise and relations with the west have improved recently.

We had the opportunity of visting Syria a couple of years ago and we found the people absolutely wonderful and welcoming with one particular anecdote serving to illustrate the generosity and sincerity of the people.

A small party of us were taking a look at the old souk of Alleppo, the largest indoor souk in the world. Typically, the souk was a chaos of people, stalls, animals, motorbikes - with local traders and shoppers charging about in all directions. Amidst this swirl of activity, one of our party dropped his wallet. In fact, he didn't even know he had dropped it until it was returned to him a little later by a small syrian boy who was no more than 12 yrs old. The boy had sought him out and followed him to return the wallet which contained, in USD, the equivalent of perhaps a years salary for a local trader.

He sought no reward, but was, it's fair to say, generously compensated!

Wondreful country and wonderful people.

Gordon's Great Flop

Last night we saw the first episode of Gordon Ramsey's Great Escape to India (Channel 4), part of their new 'Indian season'. While the idea was dangerous to start with the programme is pretty dire. Sending Gordon Ramsay to India to look at the cooking and people could have been great..instead, it was patronising and embarassing.

Gordon Ramsay has been having a rough old time of it lately what with his resturants loosing the Michellin star, although no doubt this film was in the can long before that, so this could have been a good opportunity to re-brand the Ramsey image, as a caring, thoughful, chef - first and foremost. But Gordon just isn't that sort of bloke.

Sending Ramsay to India should've shown a more tactile and reflective man, humbled by the great food which was often made in difficult circumstances. Sadly, we didn't get Gordon's Great Escape, but instead Gordon patronises just about everybody!

While there is no question that Ramsay was very impressed with what he came across, there's also no question that he was an appalling spectacle while he did it. In one segment, he was shown how to make an amazing biryani using a whole goat. Instead of being visibly wowed, he instead told the 86 year old chef that native that his biryani was "authentic".

Later in the show, he went to a remote bit of India and chowed down on a chutney that blew his little mind. Instead of explaining the differences between the Brit curryhouse chutneys and the Real Deal to his incredibly warm host, he instead preferred to nudge his 90 year old mothers and say "F*** me. I thought she was dead."

The rest of the time was spent shouting loudly in English to 'the natives'! In a kitchen segment toward the close of the show, we saw Gordon in a kitchen full of chef who couldn't speak a word of English. His response was to gesticulate wildly and repeatedly holler "STAR. ANISE. STAR (waves hand in air) ANISE?" When one chef understandably grinned and waved back, Gordon's reply was along the lines of 'Jesus. What an idiot. He thinks I'm trying to say hello'.

It's a good job the people he met were kind, open and welcoming people or this show would have been completely unwatchable....

Sorry Gordon - can do better.

Once every 10 or 15 years

Much of the UK is under snow and has been for the last couple of weeks, which has been a real treat for the children and, after the first couple of days, a real problem for everyone else as the transport system grinded to a stop.

Luckily, during this time, we had the opportunity to visit a client in Scotland whereupon we were give the chance to indulge in a little 'curling'.

Our curling took place on Loch Kilconquhar, an event that only takes place when the Loch is completely frozen over an occassion that happens only every 10 or 15 years!

Curling isn't really the most sophisticated of games, although the Olympic teams would probably no doubt disagree with that. It's played by two teams of four players each on a rectangular sheet of carefully prepared ice. Teams take turns sliding heavy, polished stones down the ice towards the target (called the house). Two sweepers with brooms accompany each rock and use timing equipment and their best judgment, along with direction from their teammates, to help direct the stones to their resting place.

Stones and brooms and ice and uncanny level of skill required to slide your stone onto the target. Needless to say we were put to shame by the locals whose 'broom action' was far superior to ours!

Top 10 Destinations for 2010

And a Happy 2010 to everyone. As we launch ourselves into a new year, it seems you can't turn without another top ten predictions for the new year! There are quite a few to choose from but we prefer the latest from Bristish Airways since it seems to be nearer the mark (and not just a self-promoting PR exercise, although it still is..)

Here's British Airways top ten destinations for 2010 (and our comments)


1. Cape Town, South Africa
Nearly half a million football supporters are expected to visit South Africa during the FIFA World Cup in June. With Cape Town home to stunning beaches, mountains, vineyards and the Cape Town Stadium, its sure to be a popular base for fans. Cape Town has always beena popular long haul destination and despite the fact that the World Cup takes place in winter we expect many people will beheading to SA this summer.

2. Istanbul, Turkey
As European Capital of Culture for 2010, Istanbul is Europes hotspot in the New Year. Offering great value for money and a huge variety of things to see and do - from beaches and bazaars to the breathtaking Bosphorus. And it's outside the Euro-zone for British holidaymakers that are still struggling with a 1:1 exchange rate.

3. Las Vegas, USA
BA has just lauched a new route to Las Vegas, so this is the one destination we don't agree with!

4. Vancouver, Canada
Already a must-go destination for skiing and snowboarding, its no surprise that Canada will play host to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March. North American skiing will benefit as much from the GBP:USD:EURO relationship as much as the fact that the Olympic games are in Canada!

5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is one of the emerging destinations for holidaymakers in the New Year, with tour operators and industry experts citing local beaches as the most stunning in the Caribbean.

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Most of Croatia is brilliant in fact and the cluster of private islands has made this a favourite destination for those seeking a little solitude in the Med. We woudl also add Montenegro, Serbia and Albania!!

7. New York, USA
Of course

8. Stockholm, Sweden
Regularly voted one of the best cities in the world to live in, Stockholm has become the model city for others to follow Europes epicenter of biodiversity and ecology will celebrate its official title of European Green Capital in 2010, making it a popular choice for eco-tourists. We would also add Oslo, one of our favourite cities.

9. The Maldives
Set in the Indian Ocean, this tropical paradise will be one of the hottest destinations for holidaymakers and honeymooners in 2010. Collections of coral reefs boast unrivalled facilities for diving, while the picture postcard beaches offer chill-out bliss to the maximum. Not so sure about this: the Maldives are beautiful but in serious danger and more tourism has to be managed carefully!

10. Delhi, India
Thanks to the growing trend for tiger safari, nearby destinations Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kanha National Park provide another reason to get off the beaten track and visit Delhi in 2010. Not sure what BA mean by 'off the beaten track' still, we're very please they've included Dehli in their list!