BMW in the land of milk and honey (aka bumi anbiya).

[funfer_fahrer]

Introduction I was proud to be one of those involved in sending our MALCON WEST-UNIFIL troops to At-Tiri, South Lebanon a couple of days ago although my mission was considered to be a milk run. Knowing the fact that the late Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafiq Hariri was assasinated right in front of the Hard Rock Cafe where I used to hang out (the explosion formed a huge crater on the road) and, knowing the fact that last year 1200 Lebanese was killed in the war, getting back home in one piece is one helluva mission. Not because of the hostile situation down south but because of uncertainties. Having said this, that was why I packed my full arsenal of photographic equipment consisted of one Nikon D200 body, a 17-55mm F2.8 lens, 80-200mm F2.8 lens plus an SB-800 Flash unit. Anything more are considered excess baggage. That's why I have to leave my venerable manfrotto at home. So, here we go.

Lebanon is a beautiful country. This is the ancient town of Sidon, or Saida is the largest town in southern Lebanon. Sidon was settled as early as 4000 BC. It was one of the most important Phoenician cities. This photo was taken from the fortified Sea Castle.

The sea castle.

The charming and beautiful part of old Sidon.

Sunset in the Bekaa Valley. (The Bekaa Valley is a high plateau between the Mount Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon).

The storm is approaching the ruins of Aanjar - the only significant Umayyad archaeological find in the Middle East. Aanjar is only 15km from Chtaura in the southern part of the Bekaa Valley.

I was dwarfed by the huge six columns of Jupiter temple in Baalbek. I was forming an 'X' shape at the base of the fourth column from the left. http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008124.jpg?t=1225299191 'Baalbek' means the city of gods. This 'Sun City" of the ancient world, is the most impressive ancient site in Lebanon. http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008077.jpg?t=1225299575 The whole temple was a huge complex. http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008115.jpg?t=1225299839 The temple of Bacchus was part of the complex in Baalbek. http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008079.jpg?t=1225300186 On assignment. http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/firdausabdulaziz/291008425.jpg?t=1225300594 Just another set of columns in Tyre? Alexander the Great was here way before the Crusaders came.

 

[Bailey]

u r jes like 2nd MAWI at the bumi anbiya

 

[IsaacVky]

Great photos!! :top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top::top:
Sorry can't help to give you so many thumbs up!

 

[pussy]

looks like mawi in the late years...

btw, nice pictures...

 

[udm68]

Very kind of u 2 share those lovely pics.:top::top::top:

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Bailey & Pussy,

It's not Mawi la. It's Mavvi (maverick) aka Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. Heh heh.

 

[salina]

nice pix...ever tot of being a pro pixman?

 

[funfer_fahrer]

u r jes like 2nd MAWI at the bumi anbiya

nice pix...ever tot of being a pro pixman?

Pro cannot lah. Not enough time. Already started as a freelance 5 years ago.

 

[hidayat_37]

wow..freelance pgrapher..like my bro..he love pict..snap..pict..hehehe..

nice pict bro!!

 

[funfer_fahrer]

wow..freelance pgrapher..like my bro..he love pict..snap..pict..hehehe..

nice pict bro!!

Boleh la. Cari makan sikit-sikit.

 

[Jay Bigbang]

Wowww!! Just wow. I'm speachless. Absolute marvelous, bro. Marvelous pictures. Seriously. :top:

 

[initialM]

Bro,

Where's the pic of BMW as the title?? Anyway nice pics & thanks for sharing:love:

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Bro,

Where's the pic of BMW as the tilte?? Anyway nice pics & thanks for sharing:love:

I know that somebody will ask this question. Sabar bro. Sabar. I am working on it.

 

[kamaldnora]

great shot:wink:
nice capture:top:
waaaa.....all your lens f2.8 maaaa.....

 

[redbaron]

Nice gambar bro

 

[initialM]

I know that somebody will ask this question. Sabar bro. Sabar. I am working on it.

hahaha I thought u forgot bout it. No worry save the best for last:love:

 

[funfer_fahrer]

great shot:wink:
nice capture:top:
waaaa.....all your lens f2.8 maaaa.....

Thanks bro. It is not the camera. Always the lens. Fast lenses make the job easier especially in low light condition.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

WARNING: SOME OF THE IMAGES MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY DETAILING FREAKS.



This is the picture of the earlier version of E30. Although Lebanon is known as the land of milk and honey, it can also be called the land of Mercedes and BMW where the Mercedes is the milk and the BMW is the honey. Always sweet. You can find BMW and Mercedes spare parts very easily in this country especially models up to E39. You can also find spare parts shops in almost every street. And they are quite cheap too. Just imagine, a windscreen can cost less than RM1000.




This E30 first rolled out of the factory in 1981. Take note of the rear lights. E30 is one of the popular models here. Probably due to its simplicity, robustness and reliability. Remember, the car has to survive in a very hostile environment. That's why the owners don't really put extra effort in detailing. The main thing is that the car has to work.




This is another E30 from the same era.




I don't really know what happened to this guy's car but it looks like it survived the war. Stylo-mylo aside, utility is the order of the day.




Same car from a different angle.




A two-door E30 with rims from its era. I was not sure whether those rims are original BMW rims. They looked like BBS rims. Having said that, I take my hats off to those who know to match their rims that were from the same era of their cars although those were brand new rims.




A newer version of E30. Post 88 model.




Could this be the real Alpina? Sifus, where are you?





Let's fast-forward a little. This is definitely a very familiar face nowadays. The facelifted E46. Notice the headlights? No longer "mata sedih".





What do you guys think? I think the rims are nice.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

THE 5 SERIES - THE CAR FOR SERIOUS AND YET SPORTY UNCLES - THE 5ERS UNCLES



This is an E12 model. After designing of all of Daimler Benz's contemporary models, Paul Bracq built on the earlier work of Wilhelm Hofmeister at BMW. The E12 was the first production car he designed for his new employer.




The E12 525 was offered in carburator form only.



The E28 was designed by Claus Luthe, an ex Audi designer. The E28 was Luthe's first BMW design was first released in 1981.



Look at the beauty. Mr Bangle, why can't you design something like this? This is what I call timeless beauty and elegance.




The clean, functional styling featured less chrome than the E12.




When first released many commented that from some angles, the E34 could be mistaken for the E32 7 series. Both were designed by Claus Luthe.

 

[supergripen]

Bailey & Pussy,

It's not Mawi la. It's Mavvi (maverick) aka Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. Heh heh.

Maverick!!! awesome pics man...i've been wanting to go to Lebanon all these years but never had the oppurtunity.nice narrative as well..thanx.

once i complete my project e60,i'd like u to be the photographer la..can ah??

-the receding hairline surprised me a little...they making u work too hard on the 777 huh?? haha... wait till u come down to the 737:wink: