30-Jan-2004 -- During our extended `Īdu-l-Aḍḥā holidays of January/February 2004 to Syria, we combined the on-road tour of the archaeologically and culturally rich country with visits to six Confluences (33N 36E, 34N 37E, 36N 39E, 36N 38E, 36N 37E and 35N 37E).

Having successfully visited the first Syrian Confluence at 33N 36E, we headed towards Damascus, but avoided going into the city by taking the eastern outer ring road and exiting at al-Quṭayfa. We then headed northeast towards al-Nāṣiriyya, which was the nearest town about 20 km from the Confluence.

The late afternoon shadows were getting longer as we approached the Confluence, which was on the edge of Jabal Ru'ūs al-Ṭiwāl. We approached the jabal slowly, but soon found it impassable because of the rocky and steep terrain. We then trekked on foot and the climb was slow and hard, with the light disappearing very fast. We were about 90 meters away from the Confluence when we decided to stop and take the necessary photos, but the light had gone so worse that the photos were not that clear.

We tracked back to the tarmac road in total darkness and were relieved to be on the road once again. Our next confluence visit was to be to 36N 39E, which was near al-Raqqa.