The Life and Times of Ibn Batuta

In May of 1326, Ibn Batuta was ready to continue his hodge. He elected to go down to the Red Sea and catch a ship to Jeddah on the western coast of Saudi Arabia. But as they neared, it was found that the local people, the Bezia clan, have revolted against their Manluk rulers. No one could use the road to Mecca anytime soon. It was too late for Ibn Batuta to cross the Sinai Peninsula but what about Damascus and Syria? They are a great caravan, always gathered in late summer, and traveled to Mecca.