Last Night in La Marsa

Last night mum and me went to the Plaza Corniche Hotel for a drink with Sarah and Helen,although she had spent more time than me and mum in Sicily she didn't visit Erice.The hotel was lively as usual so a nice place for mum's last evening in La Marsa,Tunisia.

Trapani Sicily

Visited the west part of Sicily:Trapani and the medieval town Erice in the mountains overlooking Trapani.Took a bus to the east side of Trapani and then a ten minute cable car ride to Erice.It was enjoyable exploring the many cobbled streets and visiting the interesting shops which sold a wide variety of items from speciality almond based sweets to homemade pasta.
The meandering walk to the east part of Erice is well worth the effort for the spectacular views from Castello Venus of the surrounding countryside and the dramatic coastline.It was nice and cool up in the mountains which was a great respite from the very hot weather for my mum.In the evening the old town of Trapani is very lively with many upmarket bars and restaurants.The beautiful architecture of the buildings look even more impressive at night.

Sarah's Party.....

Pizza and drinks party at Sarah's.Great view of La Marsa's coastline.

Night on the Pier

Last night mum and me had dinner at one of the local restaurants by the beach then drinks at the pier.Bumped into Leanne,Jes,Anne Marie and Laurie;we accompanied the girls in the restaurant.Pleasant evening in the restaurant but it was spoilt by the waiter's overcharging;he'd fogotten to add the drinks to the restaurant bill and added mine and mum's,which I'd already paid for before the girls' meal.So it seems the drinks were paid twice as well as Laurie being overcharged for her fish!!

Dirty Tunisia

Well despite there being litter bins on the beach many of the Tuinisians are litter louts!
This morning while walking along the shore on the beach at La Marsa,a couple casually threw away the plastic wrapping from their plastic bottles onto the beach,they simply didn't care at all.Much of the beach in La Marsa is often littered with plastic bottles and bags etc.
I don't understand how Tunisians can be so unconcerned about the environment.

Beach in Bizerte

Did a day trip to Bizerte via a combination of local train,the tram and a louage taxi.I'd hoped it would be slightly cooler there but it was just as hot as in Tunis.Met some friendly people during the day:the man at the tram ticket office,two men on board the tram and the man at the buvette on the beach in Bizerte.It was nice to cool off in the choppy sea and a young guy even persuaded mum to have a paddle.The beach was packed out even more than the beach in La Marsa.

Miserable Tunisians

I have to say that Customer Service in Tunisia is appalling,in the travel agency in Tunis yesterday the people working there were not interested in my business not even a polite bonjour grabbed their attention.I could have been on another planet.In fact another customer,an American guy from California,told me that they had been really rude to him the day before.
Later back in La Marsa at a local ice cream place the young female assistant had a disdainful miserable looking face and not even my Merci brought out a smile.

Carthage

Visited the Antoinne Roman Baths and the Roman Villas in Carthage.Also paid a brief visit to the outdoor Roman Theatre where they have lots of shows in the summer.There were quite a few tourists in Carthage including groups from Russia and Serbia.Another hot day!

Cafe Saf Saf

Lively place especially in the evenings but I bet that camel is fed up with all those stupid kids making fun of it.First visit for Jess and Barbera to Saf Saf.Jess really enjoyed her evening in La Marsa!

Hot in Sousse

Yesterday we went to Sousse.Weather scorching hot.Took the 'Dotto' train to the marina at Kantaoui.Had a cool dip in the sea by the marina.Later we caught the 'Dotto'train to the centre and visited the Medina.Spent most of the day in the shade or air conditioned cafes.In the Medina we visited the Souks,which reminded mum of the shopping area 'The Lanes' in Brighton.
The train back to Tunis was jam packed with many of the seats double booked and also the Tunisians not respecting the seat numbers and sitting wherever they wanted.I managed to make one Tunisian guy give up his seat for mum.We finally got home around midnight.

Sidi Bou Said

Yesterday went to Sidi Bou Said.Felt like the hottest day of the summer so far.Visited the house that Laurie gave such a scathing review of.It was nice relaxing there,peaceful and quiet except for the odd tourist group.The waiter at the cafe opposite the Cafe de Nattes wasn't very friendly. This morning Judy told me of the time that she went to Sidi Bou Said with her mum,the owner of a shop mistook Judy's mum's friendliness for her wanting to buy something.The shop owner turned extremely aggressive when he realised he wasn't going to make a sale,so was he slow or just stupid? Window-Shoppers beware!
Sidi Bou Said is very picturesque but I actually prefer it in winter and spring.

Spain win World Cup in extra time

Andres Iniesta scored a dramatic winner late in extra time to give Spain World Cup glory for the first time but gave the unlucky Netherlands their third defeat in a final.It seemed that Spain would never score and like David Villa had said in an interview all it could take was one goal to win.Spain seemed nervous just like in the previous matches and it seemed the final would be an anti climax and be heading towards a penalty shootout until Iniesta finally got his match winning goal.

Night at the Opera:El Jem Colosseum

The El Jem Colosseum provides a spectacular setting for a night of Viennese opera,torches from the top tiers to the bottom ones illuminating the arena,with some of the arch ways also filled with a ghostly reddish orangery light.There was a packed audience last night ,many people had travelled on the special train from Tunis.Mum and me met Laurie and Jes at Barcelonate Station yesterday evening for the two hour journey to El Jem,a small city near the Coastal resort of Sousse.
The night's entertainment was also enhanced by some beautiful dancing ranging from waltzes to a lively Polka.
The local Tunisian,Yasmine Azaiez,a young violinist,who played with the orchestra,was well received by the locals,even her slightly odd inclusion of her singing part of the song 'Bohemian Rhaposody'(a massive hit by the group Queen) was a hit with the crowd.

Mum enjoyed the night out,it was exciting and interesting to see the Colluseum at night in fact the whole town seemed more lively.
We all got back to Tunis ,around 3 o'clock this morning!

Mum on holiday

Mum's flight to Tunis delayed nearly 3 hours but mum didn't find out the flight was delayed until having gone through customs.I got Tony's text message after I'd arrived at the airport so lots of hanging around at the airport.Finally got home at 1 am.

Monday, showed mum around La Marsa including the camel at the Saf Saf cafe.In the evening met Kate,Ted,Sarah,Janet,Laurie,Tom and Dawn for a drink at the Plaza Corniche bar.
Tuesday visited the Souks in the Medina of Tunis and also had tea on the roof top terrace of a hotel in the Medina;good view of the city.

Thursday took a louage taxi to the seaside resort of Hammamet;we didn't stay too long on the beach as it was too hot for mum.
Later we visited the Souks by the fort.Many of the alleyways were decorated with an abundance of sweet smelling flowers.Less claustrophobic than the Souks in Tunis but the same hassle from the sellars insisting/inviting you to look around their shops.There are always lots of nice things to buy but the constant 'Take a look.Just a minute.' is very wearying.