heavenly
greek mythology
Legend has it that when Adonis met his tragic fate, slain by a wild boar in the caves of Afqa, his blood mingled with the earth, giving rise to delicate anemone flowers. As his blood seeped into the nearby river, its waters turned a deep red, and thus, the river came to be known as the "Adonis River."
In the first video, we delve into Afqa, a place with a fascinating connection to the myth of Adonis and Aphrodite. You see, Adonis, the mortal lover of Aphrodite, met his tragic end at the hands of wild boars in the caves, which is precisely where we begin our journey. What's even more captivating is that Afqa cave is associated with the story of Aphrodite cradling Adonis, her tears mixing with his blood and turning the water a striking red. The Adonis river, the Adonis valley, and the Chouwen lake, all tie into this myth.
Later on, we shift our focus to a visit to Chouwen, another stunning location in Lebanon. It's here that I truly appreciated the hidden gems and natural beauty of Lebanon, including the historic water mills, which, by the way, were last used in 1963. These mills were powered by the water from the Abraham/Adonis River, serving as an essential place for locals to grind wheat.
While the river may not run red today, the hike from Afqa cave to Chouwen lake is an enchanting journey. Chouwen, with its heavenly beauty, stands as one of Lebanon's must-visit destinations, an essential stop for anyone planning to explore the area.
Lebanon has so much to offer, and I hope I did a good job in truly capturing its beauty and history!