It is so nice to be back in Syria... it feels like home. Visit this country once and you will always come back.

In Syria, history is everywhere, people are very welcoming and it's certain you will make new friends.

I have been familiar with Syria for a very long time. As a child, I used to accompany my late parents and we visited the country every summer. If you enjoy history, museums, music, shopping or just want to learn something new, Syria is the place.

Today, we visited the old suq as well as Azem Palace. We met our friend Ahmad Sadat, a tour guide who also runs the Rosa Damascina Motel. Ahmad had looked after us during the 2004 Friendship Tour.

We visited his motel and had tea with him. David also did a live interview with him for Radio Bahrain during which he spoke about the history of his country.

After a very good lunch in the Italian restaurant at the Semiramis Hotel, we headed to Bloudan and Zabadani and enjoyed the beautiful weather in the mountains.

After dinner, we will head to the airport to welcome Petra Beuchert, who also did the 2004 Friendship Tour. Petra will join the team for a week before she returns to Scotland.

Ali Mushaima