A mama's life: Summering in the Garden of Ehden

A few years ago, I would have dreaded spending two whole months in the mountains. I love the city. I love Beirut and when I go to Lebanon, I love being at the center of its universe: Hamra. It is where all the theaters, the cinemas, the music, the cafes, the restaurants, the life all come together.

Everyday view from our garden in Ehden

I love all of this, madly! But when your days and night become tangled with those of smaller people, then everything shuffles. You want parks, greenery and nature. You want playgrounds and outdoors. You want so much of only the best you end up giving up on some of what used to be your best and you adjust. And you learn to love new things and different facets of what this world has to offer, as a family.

Mia enjoying the view at the top of Ehden's highest restaurant: Bab Al Hawa (The Door of the Wind)

Being originally from the town of Ehden in the beautiful mountains of North Lebanon, I have fond memories of the summers I spent there as a teenager. The first friends I made in Lebanon when we returned from an entire childhood spent France, were my Ehden friends. I cherish these times and cannot help but smile at the days and nights we spent being silly teens in love, singing our hearts out without a care in the world and walking the streets for hours going from one place to the next, completely unaware that a few years later I would dare travel these distances by car and by car only! We were young, we were fun and we were happy!

My beautiful Mia enjoying the view from our Ehden residence: up above the clouds!

But now that I have become a mom, the beauty of Ehden is revealing itself in a very different way. We could not be happier living in the Emirates and Dubai definitely is home. But we still miss some of that Lebanese magic our hearts always long for.

When we travel to Lebanon, Ehden has become our home back home. We have acquired a small place in a beautiful location which allows the kids to enjoy all that they miss in Dubai and Beirut and so much more!

Living above the clouds!

Ehden is situated between 1,500 and 1,600m above sea level. One of its most prominent churches, Saydet Alhossn, sits at a glorious 1,700m and from the top of her mountain, overlooks the entire town all the way down to the sea. On clear days, one can even take a glance at the faraway island of Cyprus!

It is no surprise the locals like to tell stories of Ehden actually being the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve descended and will gladly walk you to the fig tree off of which they picked a couple of leaves to cover themselves.

Living above the clouds!

Airplanes, who needs them?

Whether you believe the legend or not, it is worth the trip as it would also be on your way to Mar Sarkis, one of the most prominent convent in Ehden and the location of the town's most famous and delicious restaurants that welcome guests from all over Lebanon all summer long. People will drive for hours to get to have lunch at the Nebe'e.

Ehden is also home to one of the most breathtaking natural reserves in the region and the town people actively maintain what they consider to be their most valuable assets. Hiking and camping are part of the daily of life for all the locals who love to venture to the culmination point of the highest mount in Lebanon: Kornet ElSawda. Children and adult activities take place daily all around town where lifetime memories (and pretty mad skills) can be made!

Thank you to Marc Finianos and Ehden Mountains Activities for an unforgettable morning!

Sama Ehden: a large playground that welcomes children of all ages

Sama Ehden's bouncy castle

Bungee jump at Sama Ehden

Many, many fun rides and games to enjoy at Sama Ehden

When going to Ehden, one must make time for nature and beauty and exciting escapades all year long. Summers are gorgeous (and the weather is out of this world) but winters are also very busy with all sorts of snow adventures for all daredevils out there! We have had one of the best White New Year's Eve up in Ehden. Queen Elsa would be jealous!

The kids enjoy the local market with their grandmother

And since all great explorers need to eat, it is quite lucky that Ehden is celebrated for its culinary talents: a wide range of Kebbe must always be at the center of the table. Preferably with a dish of "Laban soup", either Kebbe in Laban or Shishbarak. These delicious dishes are cooked differently in the North. Usually, you will find them served over a plate of rice. In Ehden, they will serve you a bowl of mouthwatering soup where Kebbe or Shishbarak have been marinating slowly. Absolutely exquisite! But the most delectable Kebbe that people come from all over to eat, aside from raw Kebbe Nayye, is the grilled Kors!

Mia enjoying some home made Shishbarak

Home made Kebbe lovingly cooked by my mother!

Home cooked Shishbarak by my talented mom

Dreamy wines leaves also by my super mom!

Naturally, you cannot consider your meal over unless you head to the town square, Al Midan, and have local sweets. My favorite is Mshabeshle and if you must only have one bite of something, this is what you must try! Should you find yourself sitting there at night, make sure you enjoy a hot cup of Sahlab too. A must!

Delicious Mshabeshle!

Hot Sahlab

Fantastic Kneffe by Douaihy Sweets on Al Midan

My Jad enjoying a drum moment at one of our favorite restaurants: Adan Ehden

So many restaurants will serve these traditional dishes and more and more recently, hotels and resorts are offering the same, within a complete Ehden experience. If you make the absolutely perfect decision of staying for a few days, you must do so at Kroum Ehden one of Lebanon's greatest venues. Blessed with a location that opens up to horizons of beauty, the pool and various restaurants will leave you wondering why you should ever abandon this piece of heaven! Ehden is well known for its nightlife as well and people from neighboring towns will come to party until way after the sun rises.

Closer to God

Breathtaking views will transport you to a place of peace and meditation even if you have never meditated in your entire life. Maybe that is why I feel so close to God when I am in Ehden. And apparently, I may not be the only one if one considers the large number of places of worship in such a small town. Ehden is home to the oldest Maronite church in Lebanon, Mar Mema.

Inside Saydet Alhossn at the top of Ehden's mountains

Inside Saydet Alhossn's old, small church

One cannot speak of Ehden's churches and not mention Saydet Alhossn. A popular choice for weddings and baptisms due to its beautiful setting and large open spaces, the gem of this location is actually the tiny old church around which the new one was built. The idea of people building it so high up in the mountain hundred of years ago is just impressive.

The view from the modern structure of Saydet Alhossn: literally up in the sky

Saydet Alhossn rising up high

Another church worth visiting is Mar Gerges Cathedral near Al Midan. Home to Ehden's hero, Youssef Bey Karam where his body has been laid to rest in a glass coffin.

Mar Gerges

Youssef Bey Karam

Youssef Bey Karam's body in his glass coffin

From Ehden, many people enjoy hiking to the Kaddisha Valley and the Monastery of Qozhaya which are also accessible by car. The Monastery is literally built inside the mountain and its church is basically a grotto with only one man-made facade. It houses the first printing press in the Middle East in its beautiful museum which is worth a tour. A dramatic and imposing grotto where people with mental illnesses used to be chained can also be visited. It is as chilling as it is mesmerizing and one can feel the weight of its history after a quick glance at the chains that are still heavily present.

Hiking in Kadisha Valley

Inside Qozhaya's grotto

Finally, it is not possible to mention places of worship and dismiss Eid Al Saydeh which is one of the biggest event of the summer. Devout crowds of all ages hike yearly from Ehden all the way down to Saydet Zgharta for over five hours on foot. They literally walk down the mountain all the way to sea level (almost). On this day people celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a massive festival in Zgharta that starts with people washing the church the night before the holiday. Then crowds will walk and pray all the way from Ehden until they reach the church where they will find the most delicious Ya'asma (an ice cold Rose juice), grilled corn, and many more delicacies. But most importantly, everyone will wait until evening comes and massive cauldrons of boiling Hrisse are open for everyone to share, for free.