Rozz, Unfiltered

Having travelled to more than 65 countries including Syria, Iraq, and North Korea, Rosalyn "Rozz" Lee has a goal: to change the perception of these countries. She tells us more about exploring the world and expanding her horizons.

- Cheryl Lai-Lim

WHEN ROSALYN LEE, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN BY HER MONIKER ROZZ, DISCOVERED THAT SYRIA WAS OPEN FOR TOURISM POST-PANDEMIC, THE INTREPID TRAVELLER IMMEDIATELY MADE PLANS TO VISIT THE COUNTRY.

“I’ve always been very interested in visiting the Middle East,” the 44-year-old says of her decision. “It’s sad that they always get so much bad press for being unsafe. These countries have such rich histories, stunning landscapes, and the most hospitable people.”

However, after a trip to Iran in 2018, she realised that some countries in the Middle East are not accessible for a solo female traveller. When her friend Shane Horan, who runs travel company Rocky Road Travel, announced that he was organising a tour in Syria, she promptly reached out to him. He specialises in arranging tours to some of the least visited and misunderstood countries around the world, and he had previously organised her trip to North Korea in 2019.

Rozz, who also enjoys exploring destinations that are “not quite on the beaten path”, had no qualms booking the trip.

“I’ve always been fascinated by Syria because it’s the birthplace of so many things,” she says. Syria is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

“Syria’s history is storied and colourful,” she enthuses. “It’s a rich country in terms of natural resources, and was thriving at one point in time.”

She spent 10 days in September 2022 travelling through the country, entering by car through the Jordan-Syria land border (flights to Syria are not recommended, as the airport often halts active operations due to air missile strikes) and leaving through the Lebanon-Syria land border.