There I was, at Orchid beach in Jiyyeh, when I saw our finance minister eating a salad (perhaps to demonstrate that our ministers stay in shape while putting our country to right). He was sitting with the resort’s developer and extolling the glories of the modern Lebanese tourist industry. Where else, the minister asked, could one find such a location? Where else could one get this standard of service, food, facilities and ambiance? Although the minister’s misty-eyed patriotism was no doubt clouding his view, we might excuse him; Lebanon has come a long way in recent years. Or has it? Later that day, I carried my beach chair to the shallow water to enjoy the sunset as I always do, only to find that the sand had disappeared. Gone. Vanished. Not just on my spot, but along the whole bay, where at least three resorts operate. It turns out the
