Middle East - Anthony Ham [355]
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VOLUNTEERING IN LEBANON
For those with time and energy to devote to a good cause, Lebanon has lots of volunteer opportunities. Visit these websites for more information.
Association for Volunteer Services Lebanon (www.avs.org.lb) A great first point of contact for volunteering in Lebanon.
Daleel (www.thedaleeel.com) An internet guide with many links to charities and other organisations.
Lebanon Association of SOS Children’s Villages (www.sos.org.lb) Part of the SOS global network.
Palestinian Human Rights Organisation (PHRO; www.palhumanrights.org) Provides information on all aspects of Palestinian refugee life in Lebanon.
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BEIRUT FOR CHILDREN
Beirutis go gaga for children, and you’ll have no problem finding family-friendly activities, restaurants and hotels throughout town. Good brands of baby supplies – nappies, powdered milk and the like – are widely available at pharmacies.
At the southern end of the Corniche, kids will love all things flashy and screechy at Luna Park (Map; Manara; rides around LL5000; 10am-midnight), whose Ferris wheel offers great views from its pinnacle. Meanwhile, further up the Corniche, the St George Yacht Motor Club (Click here) has a nice children’s pool, a playground, and grassy lawns to dash about on.
Though Beirut’s hardly blessed with an abundance of open spaces, kids can let off steam somewhere green at the Sanayeh Public Garden (Map), with bike and skate hire available.
For something more cerebral, head to Planet Discovery (Map; 980 650; Espace Starco, Rue Omar ed-Daouk, Beirut Central District; admission LL5000; 9am-3pm Mon-Thu, 10am-7.30pm Fri & Sat), a fun and interactive science museum for ages three to 15. Puppet or magic shows are held most Fridays and Saturdays at 4pm and 5pm, for an additional fee of LL5000 per person.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Beirut International Film Festival (www.beirutfilmfoundation.org) Held in October, this festival showcases films from Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Beirut International Marathon (www.beirutmarathon.org) Held each autumn, and popular with international athletes, the marathon includes various wheelchair and fun-run events.
Docudays (www.docudays.net) The wonderful Beirut International Documentary Festival, held every November or December, sees international audiences flock to the city.
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SLEEPING
Budget
Decent budget accommodation is thin on the ground in Beirut, and Lonely Planet regularly receives traveller emails from those who booked a room – or an airport taxi – only to find none awaiting them. To try to guard against this, reconfirm your booking 24 hours before your arrival, and take along any email or fax correspondence as proof of dates, times or prices.
Talal’s New Hotel (Map; 562 567; tnh@yahoo.com; Ave Charles Helou, Gemmayzeh; dm/s/d/tr US$7/16/20/24; ) A friendly owner and a livelier vibe than nearby al-Nazih make this place probably the best budget bet in town. Rooms are small and simple but clean (some come with bathroom and TV), and the owner will strive to squeeze you in on the roof in summer if the place is full. There’s a communal kitchen and internet access (first 15 minutes free, LL1000 per hour there-after), and laundry costs US$3 per 5kg.
Pension al-Nazih (Map; 564 868; www.pension-alnazih.8m.com; Rue Chanty, Gemmayzeh; d LL37,500, dm/s/d LL15,000/22,500/45,000; ) A decent, plain option just a few steps away from Talal’s, the hotel’s 10 rooms are ever popular with travellers and are clean, basic and quiet. The owner’s particularly keen on filling the air with fresheners and fly sprays so, while hygienic, the atmosphere (definitely in terms of oxygen, rather than ambience) can be rather florid. Breakfast costs US$3 extra, and airport pick-up can be arranged for US$15. Note that only double rooms come with bathroom.
Regis Hotel (Map; 361 845; Rue Razi, Ain al-Mreisse; s/d/tr US$28/34/34; ) It might look bleak and barren from the outside, but this basic place – while in no sense