To Tunisia and return:
Sunday 7th February 2010:
Woke up early to catch a train at 8.30 to get us to Gatwick Airport at just before midday. We booked in and went through and waited for our plane to be called and boarded. The flight to Tunisia was fairly uneventful with a little bit of turbulence, but not a lot.
Arrive into Monastir, Tunisia were we went through passport control, but being Tunisia and me being Australian I had to wait for them to issue me a visa. While waiting there was another couple of which one was South African and also had to do the same wait.
We eventually were issued our tourist visas and pickup our bags, I had to get some Tunisian money to pay back the South African guy as he forked over the 10 Dinar for my Visa as they only took Dinar and I only had pounds and Euros.
We walked straight through the security bag/customs check and found the Thomson desk to get our transport to the hotel.
Arrived at the hotel just before 8pm, and got checked in and went up to the room before heading back down for a late dinner (which closed at 9pm, so we were lucky enough to be able to get there by about 8.30).
I went for a wander outside after dinner and met an English guy who is also staying at the hotel for the week and we got chatting and had a beer.
Monday 8th February 2010:
Woke up in time for a 9amish breakfast (breakfast is only served until 10am). I spent the day lounging around the hotel reading the latest John Grisham novel, finished it, then went for a walk into Port El Kantaoui for a look around before heading back to the hotel. Met up with Kev the English fella again, had a beer and then went to dinner around 7pm.
Came down later to check emails, and met up with Kev again, My friend came down and joined and we had a good chat. Kev and I had a couple of beers, before it was bed time.
Tuesday 9th February 2010:
Woke up around 8 amish to get going early, we caught a taxi to the Sahara Beach hotel and had an agreed price for that and him taking me further onto Monastir. However once My friend was dropped off he wanted to up the price for the further trip to Monastir. I disagree with the amount he wanted to charge me extra and so just walked away from the taxi with only paying the price to the hotel. Went out the front of the hotel and caught a bus into Monastir about 1/2hr later.
Wandered around Monastir for a couple of hours before catching a bus up to Sousse. Wandered around the Medina in Sousse for a little while with a personal guide (who asked for money at the end (as I was expecting), for his tour and mini history lesson). He ended up taking me to a bunch of different shops even though I had no intentions of buying anything. However I did end up getting a leather face Versace belt for 20 dinar (about £10). Eventually left Sousse around 3.30 and caught a bus back to the hotel where I went out to get a coke and some bottled water from a local supermarket (cheaper than what the hotel charges).
Wednesday 10th February 2010:
Up for breakfast before heading out to the harbour for bit of browsing and sightseeing. This was then followed by the day out in Sousse for My friend to do some medina haggling. Didn’t end up buying anything but still had a long time in the medina to enjoy and waste the day away.
After catching a bus home from Sousse the rest of the day was just spent just around the hotel for dinner and the rest of the night.
Thursday 11th February 2010:
Woke up early, but not early enough for to have breakfast. Headed out to catch a train from the Sousse to El Djem. Train journey was standard with some nice scenery on the way, albeit very blandish. Arrived into El Djem at 9am and walked down to the Coliseum for about an hour and a half wander around the inside of the Coliseum. We then called into a shop for My friend to get some gifts before then heading back to the train station to get the train back to Sousse. Unfortunately it was a lot colder a day than what we were expecting and so were not ready for the rain or cold weather.
Trained it back to Sousse to then catch the bus back to Port El Kantaoui to spend the rest of the day warming up and relaxing before heading out for dinner.
Friday 12th February 2010:
We got up to have breakfast before heading into Sousse for a look around the Medina. We wanderer all the way from one end of the Medina wall all the way around the entire length of the medina wall. We then headed to the train station again to catch a train from Sousse to Tunis – about a 2 hour journey.
We got to Tunis and then found a taxi which took us on a 2.5 hour sightseeing journey of Carthage for 20 Dinar each (total 40 Dinar or about £20 for the entire trip). Our first stop was at the Amphitheatre Romain, followed by the Quartier Punique & Museum where we spent about 40 odd minutes taking in the stunning landscape scenery and old roman ruins.
From the Museum our next stop was the Theatre Romain where we spent all of about 5-10 minutes and I ended up buying 2 fake Roman coins for 5 dinar, and as such made up time as all the roman ruins close entrance at 5pm. By the time we left the Theatre it was about 4.15. Our next port of call was the Parc Archeologique Des Thermes were we spent probably about ½ hour wandering through the ruins of the old crypts, grave sites and old Roman bath ruins, as well as getting a few scenery and coastline shots.
We then made our way onto Sidi Bou Said where the whole town is made up of blue and white painted buildings only. As we were running out of time we were only allowed about 15 minutes here to see the sights, wander the streets and take some photo’s before heading back to our taxi and guide for the afternoon.
From Sidi Bou Said we started to head back to Tunis and the train station in time for our 5.35pm train back to Sousse and Port El Kantaoui for dinner. We drove past the old Roman Aqueducts, then on along the Tunis Lake before getting a 5 minute tour of downtown Tunis and back to the train station.
We arrived back in time for the train ride back to Sousse at 5.35pm and eventually arrived into Sousse at about 7.30pm. We tried to catch a bus back to the hotel, however as we were unsure when the next bus was due and one didn’t come along while we were standing there we bit the bullet and caught a taxi back to the hotel. We got back to the hotel and went straight to dinner at 8pm (the restaurant closes at 9pm), after which we went to our room and then to bed.
Saturday 13th February 2010:
We went for a quick 15 minute swim before heading off to breakfast. After breakfast we headed into the Harbour to get some souvenirs before heading back to the hotel for a few hours before our camel train ride.
At just before 2pm our guide picked us up to take us out to the camel station. Unfortunately for us it had started to rain, and it didn’t let up, but got heavier for the entire Camel trek through the lovely back marshes of Kantaoui (it really wasn’t that exciting as what we saw was a lot of rubbish and olive trees. We arrived at the halfway point and joined a bunch of other people who were either on their own wonderful Camel trek, or taking off on a quad bike adventure/ride.
We were given some traditionally made bread (although had to pay 1 dinar for it), before deciding on taking the horse and cart back to the hotel. Where when we got back we both had a nice hot show before relaxing until dinner time.
Sunday 14th February 2010:
We woke up, had breakfast and then relaxed in the hotel room until the midday check out time. Once we had checked out we went for a walk down to the Harbour for a little last look around before getting some food for the plane flight, then went back to the hotel for the rest of the time until it was time for us to leave on the coach to get to the airport.
Checked in at the airport then went through security to wait for the plane. Flight was fairly uneventful, albeit with a bit of turbulence. We got to Gatwick on time, although we were taxiing for about 10-15 minutes before we got to our gate which was almost at the end of the airport. Got through passport control and then pickup the bags and caught a train to London. I got the Gatwick express to Victoria to catch my coach back to Birmingham.
I eventually got back into Birmingham at about 2.45am and got a taxi home to sleep for the rest of the night.
And thus endth our Tunisian adventure.
Woke up early to catch a train at 8.30 to get us to Gatwick Airport at just before midday. We booked in and went through and waited for our plane to be called and boarded. The flight to Tunisia was fairly uneventful with a little bit of turbulence, but not a lot.
Arrive into Monastir, Tunisia were we went through passport control, but being Tunisia and me being Australian I had to wait for them to issue me a visa. While waiting there was another couple of which one was South African and also had to do the same wait.
We eventually were issued our tourist visas and pickup our bags, I had to get some Tunisian money to pay back the South African guy as he forked over the 10 Dinar for my Visa as they only took Dinar and I only had pounds and Euros.
We walked straight through the security bag/customs check and found the Thomson desk to get our transport to the hotel.
Arrived at the hotel just before 8pm, and got checked in and went up to the room before heading back down for a late dinner (which closed at 9pm, so we were lucky enough to be able to get there by about 8.30).
I went for a wander outside after dinner and met an English guy who is also staying at the hotel for the week and we got chatting and had a beer.
Monday 8th February 2010:
Woke up in time for a 9amish breakfast (breakfast is only served until 10am). I spent the day lounging around the hotel reading the latest John Grisham novel, finished it, then went for a walk into Port El Kantaoui for a look around before heading back to the hotel. Met up with Kev the English fella again, had a beer and then went to dinner around 7pm.
Came down later to check emails, and met up with Kev again, My friend came down and joined and we had a good chat. Kev and I had a couple of beers, before it was bed time.
Tuesday 9th February 2010:
Woke up around 8 amish to get going early, we caught a taxi to the Sahara Beach hotel and had an agreed price for that and him taking me further onto Monastir. However once My friend was dropped off he wanted to up the price for the further trip to Monastir. I disagree with the amount he wanted to charge me extra and so just walked away from the taxi with only paying the price to the hotel. Went out the front of the hotel and caught a bus into Monastir about 1/2hr later.
Wandered around Monastir for a couple of hours before catching a bus up to Sousse. Wandered around the Medina in Sousse for a little while with a personal guide (who asked for money at the end (as I was expecting), for his tour and mini history lesson). He ended up taking me to a bunch of different shops even though I had no intentions of buying anything. However I did end up getting a leather face Versace belt for 20 dinar (about £10). Eventually left Sousse around 3.30 and caught a bus back to the hotel where I went out to get a coke and some bottled water from a local supermarket (cheaper than what the hotel charges).
Wednesday 10th February 2010:
Up for breakfast before heading out to the harbour for bit of browsing and sightseeing. This was then followed by the day out in Sousse for My friend to do some medina haggling. Didn’t end up buying anything but still had a long time in the medina to enjoy and waste the day away.
After catching a bus home from Sousse the rest of the day was just spent just around the hotel for dinner and the rest of the night.
Thursday 11th February 2010:
Woke up early, but not early enough for to have breakfast. Headed out to catch a train from the Sousse to El Djem. Train journey was standard with some nice scenery on the way, albeit very blandish. Arrived into El Djem at 9am and walked down to the Coliseum for about an hour and a half wander around the inside of the Coliseum. We then called into a shop for My friend to get some gifts before then heading back to the train station to get the train back to Sousse. Unfortunately it was a lot colder a day than what we were expecting and so were not ready for the rain or cold weather.
Trained it back to Sousse to then catch the bus back to Port El Kantaoui to spend the rest of the day warming up and relaxing before heading out for dinner.
Friday 12th February 2010:
We got up to have breakfast before heading into Sousse for a look around the Medina. We wanderer all the way from one end of the Medina wall all the way around the entire length of the medina wall. We then headed to the train station again to catch a train from Sousse to Tunis – about a 2 hour journey.
We got to Tunis and then found a taxi which took us on a 2.5 hour sightseeing journey of Carthage for 20 Dinar each (total 40 Dinar or about £20 for the entire trip). Our first stop was at the Amphitheatre Romain, followed by the Quartier Punique & Museum where we spent about 40 odd minutes taking in the stunning landscape scenery and old roman ruins.
From the Museum our next stop was the Theatre Romain where we spent all of about 5-10 minutes and I ended up buying 2 fake Roman coins for 5 dinar, and as such made up time as all the roman ruins close entrance at 5pm. By the time we left the Theatre it was about 4.15. Our next port of call was the Parc Archeologique Des Thermes were we spent probably about ½ hour wandering through the ruins of the old crypts, grave sites and old Roman bath ruins, as well as getting a few scenery and coastline shots.
We then made our way onto Sidi Bou Said where the whole town is made up of blue and white painted buildings only. As we were running out of time we were only allowed about 15 minutes here to see the sights, wander the streets and take some photo’s before heading back to our taxi and guide for the afternoon.
From Sidi Bou Said we started to head back to Tunis and the train station in time for our 5.35pm train back to Sousse and Port El Kantaoui for dinner. We drove past the old Roman Aqueducts, then on along the Tunis Lake before getting a 5 minute tour of downtown Tunis and back to the train station.
We arrived back in time for the train ride back to Sousse at 5.35pm and eventually arrived into Sousse at about 7.30pm. We tried to catch a bus back to the hotel, however as we were unsure when the next bus was due and one didn’t come along while we were standing there we bit the bullet and caught a taxi back to the hotel. We got back to the hotel and went straight to dinner at 8pm (the restaurant closes at 9pm), after which we went to our room and then to bed.
Saturday 13th February 2010:
We went for a quick 15 minute swim before heading off to breakfast. After breakfast we headed into the Harbour to get some souvenirs before heading back to the hotel for a few hours before our camel train ride.
At just before 2pm our guide picked us up to take us out to the camel station. Unfortunately for us it had started to rain, and it didn’t let up, but got heavier for the entire Camel trek through the lovely back marshes of Kantaoui (it really wasn’t that exciting as what we saw was a lot of rubbish and olive trees. We arrived at the halfway point and joined a bunch of other people who were either on their own wonderful Camel trek, or taking off on a quad bike adventure/ride.
We were given some traditionally made bread (although had to pay 1 dinar for it), before deciding on taking the horse and cart back to the hotel. Where when we got back we both had a nice hot show before relaxing until dinner time.
Sunday 14th February 2010:
We woke up, had breakfast and then relaxed in the hotel room until the midday check out time. Once we had checked out we went for a walk down to the Harbour for a little last look around before getting some food for the plane flight, then went back to the hotel for the rest of the time until it was time for us to leave on the coach to get to the airport.
Checked in at the airport then went through security to wait for the plane. Flight was fairly uneventful, albeit with a bit of turbulence. We got to Gatwick on time, although we were taxiing for about 10-15 minutes before we got to our gate which was almost at the end of the airport. Got through passport control and then pickup the bags and caught a train to London. I got the Gatwick express to Victoria to catch my coach back to Birmingham.
I eventually got back into Birmingham at about 2.45am and got a taxi home to sleep for the rest of the night.
And thus endth our Tunisian adventure.
posted by Matt at Monday, February 15, 2010
1 Comments:
When Carthage fell,its nearby rival Utica,a Roman ally,was made capital of the region and replaced Carthage as the leading center of Punic trade and leadership.It had the advantageous position of being situated on the Lake of Tunis and the outlet of the Majardah River, Tunisia's only river that flowed all year long.
Carthage In Tunisia
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