Day 9: From Krak des Chevaliers to Palmyra

In the morning we explored the most fascinating Crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers. Another item on our tour's list of Unesco World Heritage sites, and so well worth the visit. On our way to Palmyra we watched the landscape change significantly: First cornfields, then olive groves, and eventually rocky desert.

In Palmyra, while looking for Kathan Garden where the next special assignment awaited us, the unthinkable happend: There was a small cracking sound, and the Ford didn't move any more. The clutch has broken. Marcus and Bernhard had barely had time to think what to do when a very helpful passer-by approached them. He called a mechanic who arrived very soon on the spot and towed the Ford to his workshop. The rest of our team followed. After a thorough search it turned out the broken part was a deflexion roller made of plastic. Another mechanic took the piece and went away with it. We didn't quite know what was going on but we happily waited in front of the garage, drinking tea and enjoying ourselves. After four hours the miracle was completed: The mechanics had milled an identical piece out of aluminium! The Ford now runs even smoother than before.






The exitement of the day was topped by the arrival of about 20 QuestNet Representatives who had come over from Damascus. We drove to the antique ruins of Palmyra for a beautiful foto shooting session which was great fun. Many thanks for the visit to our friends - we really appreciate it!!