Our correspondents take you around the world to the Middle East...

Liz Sly is certainly right that Petra is not to be missed (Mideast, August 17), but she greatly exaggerates the site's antiquity. Jordan's fabled "rose-red city, half as old as time" is nowhere near 8000 years old. Most experts date the Nabatean tombs to roughly the fifth centry BCE.

Thank you Laura Goering. I'm very concerned about the post Nelson Mandela South Africa. The nation must lower it's violent crime rate and it must have leaders that truly appreciate and revere their majestic wildlife species. Don't allow trophy hunters and other inhumane "sportsmen" to shoot and kill these priceless creatures.

the lovely hilltop Joel Greenberg mentions is Tsuba, or Tzuba

South Africa is the most violent country on earth, not involved in open war. The death rate from murder is higher than the death toll in Iraq. Take EXTREME caution while traveling ANYWHERE in SA, as violent crime is rife.
South African Airways is the safest in Africa, but is under threat by the FAA of being downgraded due to lack of maintenance and employment of below standard technicians after the qualified ones left due to affirmative action.
Zimbabwe used to be beautiful, but is in total ruin now. Even the most basic foodstuffs are mostly unavailable for purchase.
The Namib desert in Namibia is the oldest, and IMHO, most beautiful desert on earth, while Cape Town is surely one of the most beautiful cities.
Botswana does not even get a mention? For a REAL wildlife adventure, go to the Okavango Delta, the Tsodilo Hills, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier park in the Kalahari desert. The Kruger Park is more of a "drive through" zoo than a game park.

"Trophy Hunting" does more for wildlife conservation than most conservation organizations. Ignoring the corruption in Africa, the money from trophy hunters that does get used for it's original intent, makes it possible for many species to remain alive.
Paradoxical I know, but true.

Dear Anton: You are compelling and correct but trophy hunting is an inhumane abomination!

At least somebody is actually reporting on location. This is an excellent article btw. I've done more stuff this year alone than they cover here (at least while having Israeli stamps on my passport).

I don't think the average person is going to be able to head to Beuirut anytime soon.. but I hear it's the Paris of the Middle East.

Petra was probably my fav too (although Egypt is right up there).

Traveler wrote:

Liz Sly is certainly right that Petra is not to be missed (Mideast, August 17), but she greatly exaggerates the site's antiquity. Jordan's fabled "rose-red city, half as old as time" is nowhere near 8000 years old. Most experts date the Nabatean tombs to roughly the fifth centry BCE.

Also I'm told that they've only excavated 15% of the site. I was there this spring and it was still quite huge.

I got stuck almost at dark, coming down from the monastery.

I ended up hitching a ride out with some cool ass Bedouins and meeting up with friends later. Was great!

Brien,
I have never, and will never, intentionally kill an animal. The very thought of intentionally killing an animal makes me feel ill. Unfortunately though, the reality of the situation is that the money charged by professional hunting outfits is what enables many areas to remain as "wildlife areas". It also assists greatly in the upliftment of the local inhabitants in many areas.
I am not justifying it. If I could do away with hunting and still assure the welfare of the animals and the wildlife areas they inhabit, I would surely go for that. I am on your side, but there is no viable alternative.
I don't want to hijack this topic though with a hunting debate.

Africa has many beautiful locations which are sadly difficult and sometimes impossible to reach without endangering ones life. There are still some very reachable gems on that continent. Botswana and Namibia are my favorites.

Anton:

No more hunting debate. You know much more about Africa than I do. You're also correct about Botswana being nature and wildlife friendly. Costa Rica should be the eco-tourism role model for the world.

The Middle East is actually Northeast Africa and is apart of the African continent. Thank the Europeans and other Western Caucasions who renamed this and with their attempt to build a canal to separate the land mass. Things not taught in American or English History to white kids and their [subjects]. Ha Ha

DeputyDawg wrote:

The Middle East is actually Northeast Africa and is apart of the African continent. Thank the Europeans and other Western Caucasions who renamed this and with their attempt to build a canal to separate the land mass. Things not taught in American or English History to white kids and their [subjects]. Ha Ha

Have you looked at a map lately? Or do they give us white people different maps that look the way we want them to look instead of the way they are?

DeputyDawg wrote:

The Middle East is actually Northeast Africa and is apart of the African continent. Thank the Europeans and other Western Caucasions who renamed this and with their attempt to build a canal to separate the land mass. Things not taught in American or English History to white kids and their [subjects]. Ha Ha

Ummm, its Asia. Are you arguing because it lies on the same geological plates that it's somehow Africa? Plate tectonics FTL :(

There is almost more argument that it's Europe as many of the sports teams compete in the European league (as well as other contests.. Eurovision etc).

Lol noobs