Norias

This is a post about Hama's water wheels / norias.

Because we have seen over a dozen of them (originally there were 30, 17 remain today).
Because they are up to 20 meters in height and scoop water out of the Orontes river into aqueducts.
Because they are wooden (Dad, we know you love them...).
Because water wheel were first built in the region as early as the Byzantine period.
Because the are powered by the river itself (Nick now loves them too).
Because there are lots of restaurants on the banks of the river with kebabs and Syrian mezze that overlook the water wheels (David and other feasters rejoice!).
Because they make huge, loud, groaning noises.

And for those who dont love the norias yet, imagine watching bunches of Syrian guys climbing them and jumping off into the river. Nothing like a good spectacle.