From Jableh we passed through Syria Oil coastal town called Banias. Arrived there around 13:00 hours, there we saw the Syrian Oil & Gas company and crude oil terminal. We stopped for our prayer at one of the masjids in front of the Syrian Sugar factory at the fringe of the Syrian Mediterranean coastline. Finally we arrived at Tartous around 14:20 hours. The town was relatively small and 10 minutes later we arrived at one of its decent marina for Arwad Island excursion.
A little bit about Tartus: It is the capital of Tartus Governorate and has a population of about 120,000 inhabitants. Located 220 km northwest of Damascus, less than one hour drive south of Latakia, it is the second largest port city of the Syrian coast. The city was known as Antaradus in Latin or Antartus and Tortosa by the Crusaders.
We had to walk nearly a kilometer to the boat harbor. Amir negotiated with one of the boat owners for a reasonable ticket price and finally succumbed to 15 SL per head for a one way trip. There were few owners tried to poke us with a ridiculous price. 25 minutes later, the boat started its big diesel engine and commenced our 3 kilometers boat trip to Arwad Island.
At the harbor, while waiting for the boat departure, with few modern buildings of Tartous as background, we raised the Jalur Germilang – our pride of being Malaysian – showing the world that the Malay Malaysian is capable of achieving anything conforming to the world class standard.
The first few minutes after leaving the harbor, still within the breakwater, the ride was calm and the kids were very excited with their first ever experience. As we crossed the breakwater exit, the boat started swaying along the rough sea. It was really our thrilling boat ride experience, swaying bumpy ride over the 3 meters Mediterranean wave, which forced Nana, Afi, Muhammad Asri and Muhammad Afiq thrown out from the bench. Afi who has the motion-sick phobia, was motionless throughout the 20 minutes ride from the first minute of the trip. Muhammad Aiman was giggling during the first half of the trip, but after her mom and brothers failed, he was panic and shut off. Amir advised us to recite zikr amid the un-tame wild waves. As for me, I was ok in the beginning, but gradually the wild wave wrecked havoc my vulnerable brain – it had caused nausea until the end of the trip. Amazingly, the local folks were untouchable by the wild act of the Mediterranean and cooled throughout the 20 minutes ride.
Upon the arrival at Arwad Island around 15:25 minutes, Amir and Azmi ushered us to their favorite fish or seafood restaurant, about 300 meters from the harbor. First thing that we did was, resting, leaning and lying on the chairs to cure the nausea and sea-sick. Amir helped us in placing the order. He ordered 3 types of fishes, Syrian cooked rice, and other local side dishes. Despite our sea-sickness, all the foods were ‘cleaned’ within 15 minutes and I must say; it was scrumptious Syrian cuisine. The service and the facilities of the restaurant were remarkably commendable and all these cost us about USD 95.
While waiting for the foods to be served, Nana and I went around the marina and the rundown Arwad Fortress near the coastline 10 minutes walk from the restaurant.Arwad also called Ruad Island – located in the Mediterranean Sea, is the only inhabited island in Syria. The town of Arwad takes up the entire island. With about 10,000 inhabitants, Arwad Island today, is mainly a fishing town, hence the objective of our excursion – elaborate sea food lunch.
We left the Island at around 17:10 hours. This time, the ride was comparatively better as we follow the wave direction and the shorter route that the captain took. Well, it had cost us another 50 SL more – worth paying though.
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