Eclipse 2006 Trip

Tripoli (Tarabulus)

After a day at sea traveling from eastern Libya (Tobruq) to western Libya, we arrived at Tripoli, the capital of Libya. The weather was again beautiful with clear skies and high temperatures in the 70s. After breakfast we boarded a bus for an excursion to Leptis Magna. This is one of the grandest Roman ruins that exists today. It is a city in ruins yet it is rremarkably preserved. It existed for hundreds of years, maybe thousands, and reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Lucius Septimus Severus, who was from this city and made many additions to it. The city was pretty much abandoned by the 800s AD. A lot of it was covered by invading sand dunes and lay covered for a thousand years. Some was uncovered earlier and stripped of its marble. Nevertheless, it is a remarkable site (and sight). We were all very impressed with grandeur that was Rome.

The port of Tripoli (Tarabulus.)
New home construction on the way to Leptis Magna. And it's green!
	Photo by Eve Johnston
Bonnie picking out a shawl.
Hassan, our guide for the day.
The remains of the wall of a house.
The arch of Septimus Severus. This is over 60 feet tall. In 1900 there was 55 feet of sand over it.
The main street of Leptis Magna.
Detail under the arch. Note the Imperial Eagle of Rome.	Photo by Eve Johnston
More detail under the arch.	Photo by Eve Johnston
Detail of the outside of the arch.	Photo by Eve Johnston
More detail of the outside of the arch. A lot of the veneer, decorative stone is missing. It is being restored ever so slowly.	Photo by Eve Johnston
The Hadrianic baths. A big complex of baths.
Columns outside the baths.
The Hadrianic Baths: Steps down into the large cool bath.
Path from one bath to another.
The Hadrianic baths.
An interesting arch.
Fire chambers for heating the water.
Chap wishing for a hot bath.
The latrines.
Beautiful marble columns with 'onion skin' texture.
This sign is written in Latin and Phoenician.
Leptis Magna is located right on the Mediterranean. Beautiful water.
The top of the ampitheater from a distance. It must have been quite a sight in its day.
	Photo by Eve Johnston
	Photo by Eve Johnston
	Photo by Eve Johnston
The old harbor (the sand in the distance shows that it is now filled in.)
It was springtime there. Much was in bloom.
The old harbor is filled in with sand. Only the entry way (behind Chap) has water still. To the left of Chap's head is the base of the lighthouse.
	Photo by Eve Johnston
	Photo by Eve Johnston
My attempt at showing the scope of the circus. Unfortunately my photos did not overlap, hence the gap. This place is really huge.
Eve Johnston at the Circus.	Photo by Eve Johnston
The market.	Photo by Milt Percival
Used for determining dry measure.	Photo by Milt Percival
Uniform weights and measures were apparently a big deal.	Photo by Milt Percival
Stands used to cut fish. Note the dents in the side of the stands. They are from knives striking while cutting the fish heads off.	Photo by Milt Percival
Nice marble texture.	Photo by Eve Johnston
Our bus drivers taking a nap.
On the way back to the ship.
Downtown Tripoli.
Tripoli park.