Sultan drives us up to the trail head near the Roman temple of Faqra. This is the section of the trail that we could not do because of the crazy storm last year. We hike through numerous sweet smelling apple orchards and along the banks of a stream.The valley is called Wadi el Kalaa. We stop for lunch at the old monastery of St. Anthony the Great. The monastery seems abandoned but the shade from the large old oaks gives us a break from the strong sun.

Lunch at St Anthony Monastery

At night Rabiah and Benyamin teat us to a beautiful recital of Turkish Sufi music.  She plays a Oud like instrument and the music is very soothing.

Rabiah and Benyamin