Anybody been to Libya lately (specific Tripolli ?)
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Definitely make every attempt to stay in the Corinthia - all the other hotels are sub-standard. I tried a few before the Corinthia opened. My mini-bar in the Corinthia was stocked with beer & wine.
Are you sure you want to do this Guns? - stand by for endless frustration & a rather boring time.
It's good to see someone with something good to say about Gulf Pearl - it's owned by one of the senior government ministers - service was OK but the charges are a rip-off, especially for the level of service received.
With your passport Guns, you should be able to get a visa issued on arrival - things changed about two years ago. Make sure you're met on arrival or it could be a long wait.
Unless things have changed recently be aware that they've got their own phone system & GSM doesn't work.
Keep us posted & good luck.
4HP
Are you sure you want to do this Guns? - stand by for endless frustration & a rather boring time.
It's good to see someone with something good to say about Gulf Pearl - it's owned by one of the senior government ministers - service was OK but the charges are a rip-off, especially for the level of service received.
With your passport Guns, you should be able to get a visa issued on arrival - things changed about two years ago. Make sure you're met on arrival or it could be a long wait.
Unless things have changed recently be aware that they've got their own phone system & GSM doesn't work.
Keep us posted & good luck.
4HP
GunsssR4ever
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Many thanks 4HP 
Just got this message from a friend in the UK that has been there a few times (latest 3 months ago) - (personal stuff removed XXX) - he also mentions your hotel of recommendation tx
I hope it can also help someone else !
4 HP, this is just temp - 2 weeks max and then I will put someone else in place - I can see it is not a long term place to be
Just got this message from a friend in the UK that has been there a few times (latest 3 months ago) - (personal stuff removed XXX) - he also mentions your hotel of recommendation tx
I hope it can also help someone else !
4 HP, this is just temp - 2 weeks max and then I will put someone else in place - I can see it is not a long term place to be
Surprisingly Tripoli was not as bad as I expected.
The city centre is quite cosmopolitan with a number of restaurants, shops and cafes. There is little or no crime and as a result it's safe to walk around the city whenever you wish. There is also evidence that the city is beginning to get back on its feet now that the importation ban has been lifted and following Libya's attempts to embrace the EU in an attempt to
re-join the world community.
We stayed at the Corinthia Bab Africa which is the city's only real 5 star hotel (wshttp://www.corinthiahotels.com/hotel.asp?h=6&l=1), and I have to say that it is probably the best hotel that I've ever stayed in. Huge lounges, coffee bars, excellent rooms and 3 or 4 really good restaurants (including a good Chinese & Italian). If you have any choice go for this one. It's situated in the centre of town opposite the market and across from the harbour and is only a 20 minute drive from the airport (it's also within walking distance of the British Embassy). Surprisingly my mobile phone worked without any difficulty so communications shouldn't be a problem for you.
Getting a beer will however be a real problem as there remains a strict ban on alcohol in the country (don't be fooled by the bottles of Becks in the hotel like me...its non alcholholic!), and we were told by our diplomatic colleagues that it wasn't a good idea to bring anything in with us. We did however manage to get drunk one evening at the home of one of the UK XXXX XXXXX (since moved on unfortunately),as the government turns a blind eye to western diplomats drinking in the privacy of their own homes, so make some friends in the dip community early on if you have the chance.
Currency is freely exchanged in the hotel and banks and a state controlled exchange rate takes the hassle out of shopping around. We were however warned not to get caught taking the option of a more favourable rate in the market.
There still remains a good deal of suspicion of western visitors and we were followed around (not particularly well!) for a couple of days. It was never too intrusive and is apparently the norm so you might expect some of the same. We were told that they generally lose interest in you after a couple of days and this proved to be the case. The airport however is full of well dressed men (all with moustaches!) watching everything that is going on so you may have some company!.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I hope all goes well and that you get settled in. Let me know how things develop and whether you need anything from us.
All the best
XXXX
PS.....1 bloody wicket !!! I can still hardly believe it.
The city centre is quite cosmopolitan with a number of restaurants, shops and cafes. There is little or no crime and as a result it's safe to walk around the city whenever you wish. There is also evidence that the city is beginning to get back on its feet now that the importation ban has been lifted and following Libya's attempts to embrace the EU in an attempt to
re-join the world community.
We stayed at the Corinthia Bab Africa which is the city's only real 5 star hotel (wshttp://www.corinthiahotels.com/hotel.asp?h=6&l=1), and I have to say that it is probably the best hotel that I've ever stayed in. Huge lounges, coffee bars, excellent rooms and 3 or 4 really good restaurants (including a good Chinese & Italian). If you have any choice go for this one. It's situated in the centre of town opposite the market and across from the harbour and is only a 20 minute drive from the airport (it's also within walking distance of the British Embassy). Surprisingly my mobile phone worked without any difficulty so communications shouldn't be a problem for you.
Getting a beer will however be a real problem as there remains a strict ban on alcohol in the country (don't be fooled by the bottles of Becks in the hotel like me...its non alcholholic!), and we were told by our diplomatic colleagues that it wasn't a good idea to bring anything in with us. We did however manage to get drunk one evening at the home of one of the UK XXXX XXXXX (since moved on unfortunately),as the government turns a blind eye to western diplomats drinking in the privacy of their own homes, so make some friends in the dip community early on if you have the chance.
Currency is freely exchanged in the hotel and banks and a state controlled exchange rate takes the hassle out of shopping around. We were however warned not to get caught taking the option of a more favourable rate in the market.
There still remains a good deal of suspicion of western visitors and we were followed around (not particularly well!) for a couple of days. It was never too intrusive and is apparently the norm so you might expect some of the same. We were told that they generally lose interest in you after a couple of days and this proved to be the case. The airport however is full of well dressed men (all with moustaches!) watching everything that is going on so you may have some company!.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I hope all goes well and that you get settled in. Let me know how things develop and whether you need anything from us.
All the best
XXXX
PS.....1 bloody wicket !!! I can still hardly believe it.
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Wheelus Field.
What happened to the big USAF base called Wheelus on the coast just east of Tripoli. Lobbed into there once just out of Idris (Castel Benito) with a PAN situation in the late 50s.
Idris is about 30 nm south of Tripoli and in those days was surrounded by extensive plantings of Oz eucalyptus seedlings. Idris should now be in a forrest.
Must have a look around using Google Earth.
What happened to the big USAF base called Wheelus on the coast just east of Tripoli. Lobbed into there once just out of Idris (Castel Benito) with a PAN situation in the late 50s.
Idris is about 30 nm south of Tripoli and in those days was surrounded by extensive plantings of Oz eucalyptus seedlings. Idris should now be in a forrest.
Must have a look around using Google Earth.
GunsssR4ever
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Arrived last night (minus our bags) 
So far absolute excellent treatment and a very big welcome.
The Corinthia is in another world 4HP. REally fantastic.
I can send and rx text on my Vodafone but no phone out.
They have their own GSM (will get a card just now) and it sounds clear and all.
Overall so far VERY impressed and I feel welcome
Cheers all
Gunss
So far absolute excellent treatment and a very big welcome.
The Corinthia is in another world 4HP. REally fantastic.
I can send and rx text on my Vodafone but no phone out.
They have their own GSM (will get a card just now) and it sounds clear and all.
Overall so far VERY impressed and I feel welcome
Cheers all
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Milt,
Wheelus is now called Mitiga (HLLM/MJI). Not much left of it, there's one guy there that still remembers Wheelus with great love. He's western minded (more like US) and talks like a yank, guess he's trapped in a Libo suit. Remember, when in Libya, drinking gives you knowledge!
Guns, check your pm!
Wheelus is now called Mitiga (HLLM/MJI). Not much left of it, there's one guy there that still remembers Wheelus with great love. He's western minded (more like US) and talks like a yank, guess he's trapped in a Libo suit. Remember, when in Libya, drinking gives you knowledge!
Guns, check your pm!
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Mitiga was the name of a young Libyan girl that was killed by a US military a/c that pranged, killing her in the process. Interesting place - pretty run-down always something of interest to spike one's interest.
4HP
4HP
GunsssR4ever
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Tx for the excellent, valuable info MC
Will give your mate a ring
4 HP : Just scanned the mini-bar (20th time) from head to toe.
2 non-alcoholic beers (Becks and "Jever Fun"
) then just a range of Miranda's / Coke and boring Pepsi's 
Ah well mind over matter - going to try a Becks (yik) over lunch.
Advise if you come this way - we need to "bond" again
Will give your mate a ring
4 HP : Just scanned the mini-bar (20th time) from head to toe.
2 non-alcoholic beers (Becks and "Jever Fun"
) then just a range of Miranda's / Coke and boring Pepsi's Ah well mind over matter - going to try a Becks (yik) over lunch.
Advise if you come this way - we need to "bond" again
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Gunnns... if you are at Tripoli Int en jy kry daar 'n mcDooublodubblass Dear Seer nege wat diep innie woestyn bly, vra vir die drywer, ou Tom... daar sal jy kry wat jy soek!!!Hy slaap aan boord terwylit daar gepark is.
GunsssR4ever
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Uhmm tx AS 
Our man that takes us around just told me now that he thinks as soon as the big party is over (starts 1 Sept for a week) - 36th Birthday of the Revolution - he thinks we will be able to get alcohol in the big tourist hotels.
Heard some amazing stories today from him but also read on JETBLAST today that the CIA planted some stuff in the Lockerbie disaster ...
Becks alcohol free
Our man that takes us around just told me now that he thinks as soon as the big party is over (starts 1 Sept for a week) - 36th Birthday of the Revolution - he thinks we will be able to get alcohol in the big tourist hotels.
Heard some amazing stories today from him but also read on JETBLAST today that the CIA planted some stuff in the Lockerbie disaster ...
Becks alcohol free
