Al Faw

So I went on the tour of another palace today. This one is called Al Faw Palace. Unlike the Victory over America Palace, this one had only minimal damage, so it was much nicer inside. I have some info on this one as well, so I will get that out of the way, then you can look at the pictures if you want. I copied this info, so it is not in my own words. Hope you don't mind. The Al Faw Palace (also known as the Water Palace) is in Baghdad approximately 5 kilometers from the Baghdad International Airport. Saddam Hussein commissioned its construction to commemorate the Iraqi forces' re-taking of the Al-Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict.
It is situated on a former resort complex. The complex contains numerous villas and smaller palaces and is now one of the largest US/Coalition bases in Iraq (Camp Victory/ Camp Liberty). Many of the rooms have now been converted into offices, and since 2004 the Palace has been used as the headquarters for the Multinational Force Iraq , along with the Joint Operations Center, which serves as 'Mission Control' for the Multi-National Corps Iraq and all operational aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is an artificial lake surrounding the palace that has a special breed of large bass dubbed the Saddam bass, as well as large carp. Saddam formerly used the palace for duck-hunting expeditions. It was designed as a kind of corporate retreat, a relaxing playground for members of Saddam's political party who were rewarded for their loyalty and hard work with vacation time here. His sons Uday and Qusay used it — Saddam is said to have spent no more than seven or eight nights here himself — but like much of what he built, its all about him. His initials are everywhere, and opulence is the only design scheme.It's mostly intact still. American bombers hit the palace on the off chance that Saddam was here at the time, and they bombed the bridge to collapse an escape route. U.S. commanders live here now, as not to waste all this free space. Almost half a million square feet — 62 rooms and 29 bathrooms.
This is across one of the lakes from the Palace. This is also the front of the Palace where the main entrance is. I know, I look like I do in all the pictures. I will work on changing it up a little.

This is Airman Broadhead and I in the same place. Notice my weapon is pointing in the opposite direction. See how changed it up already.

This is the road heading in. You can see the main door going in. You can't see it here, but the lake I was standing in front of is to my right. There is another one full of huge fish to the left.

Another nice one of me posing in front of the front doors. Notice all the marble. You will see a lot of that.

Still in front. From left to right, Brandon De Los Reyes, Sterling Broadhead, and yours truly.

In the main room as you come in. They say the chandelier cost a million dollars. Money from the US to help out the poor and such. Also this is where the Stephen Colbert shows were filmed.

This is one of the many things around the walls along the outside edge of the big room pictured above. Not sure what it says, probably just Saddam praising himself. Seriously.

This is a throne that was a gift to Saddam, but I don't remember who from. It is also along the walls of the big room I guess it is a ballroom. Lets call it that from now on shall we.

A group shot "on" the throne. From left to right, Broadhead, Arbogast, Cody De Los Reyes, Brandon De Los Reyes (they are brothers), Pittinger, Potter, and Tucket.

Another shot of the Chandelier.

A little foyer going from the ballroom, to another good sized room. Again not sure what it says.

The second floor balcony looking out over the ballroom. Those huge pillars are all the way around the ballroom.

Third floor balcony looking out over the ballroom, with a look at the chandelier from above.

A shot from above the chandelier. You can also see the marble floors and marble pillars of the ballroom.

Broadhead, Brandon and I standing by a third floor balcony.

One of the many hallways. I just wanted to show all the detail that goes into everything, even the hallways.

This was a huge Unisex bathroom. the first Unisex bathroom I have ever been in. This was just the sink area. The sinks rap around all 4 walls of this room.

This is one of the "stalls" so I guess it was not a big deal that it was unisex since the stalls are pretty much private bathrooms.

Just an outside balcony looking over the lakes and surrounding areas.

Just another view. Same pose. :)

Chillin' with Chief Sill on the balcony. He was our guide and escort. In the background on the left side of the picture is the bridge that was blown up during the attack. It now has pipes and stuff running across, but the original bridge is gone.

The group hanging out on the balcony. You can see from these pictures that a dust storm was moving in. Pretty common around here it seems.



Just me again. You can see the pipes running across where the bridge once was.


And this is around front. In the background is the front entrance where we came in.

That's all folks!