Tunisia 2008 - 01 Tracing the Berber Trail

"A long lasting relationship comes with a lot of forgiveness and understanding..."

(Tunisian puppets with traditional costumes)

The Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the western region of North Africa. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is also the northernmost point on the African continent. Tunisia is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. The majority of Tunisians are of Berber descent. Arabic is the official language with French as the second language. Shop signs, menus and road signs in Tunisia are generally written in both Arabic and French.

Truthfully, Tunisia is not in my travel wish list. 

Day 01: 9 March 2008 

(Palermo, Italy – Tunis, Tunisia)

(Checking out of Palermo Hotel, travelling light)

(The Eurostar Salerno Ferry)

(The Grimaldi Ferry)

Our original plan was to spend one week travelling by train from Genoa, a port city in northwest Italy to south of Italy ending our holiday in Palermo then we’ll fly to Athens, Greece. But as Palermo is located nearer to Tunis and there is a ferry route which connects Sicily to Tunisia, we revised our holiday plan and included Tunisia in the itinerary. We pre-booked tickets for The Eurostar Salerno Lines which service runs twice a week with a sailing duration of around 11 hours. Tunisia is a country small enough for us to cover within a week.

(Embarking at the Palermo Port)

(On board an hour before departure)

(Cool ocean wind on the upper deck)

(Crossing the Mediterranean Sea)

At Palermo Port we boarded the Eurostar Salerno ferry around 7.30 p.m. It was nearly 11-hour journey across the ocean from Palermo to Tunis. We slept on the reclining seats in a room filled with Tunisians and tourists amidst the blaring sound from the movie playing on the big screen. Dinner and breakfast were served at the dining hall on the lower deck.

(A light snacks after boarding)

(A mixture of locals and foreign tourists)

(The dining hall on the lower deck)

(Many resting place on board)

We disembarked at La Goulette Cruise Port in Tunis very early in the morning. We met with two young Asian tourists, a Japanese girl and a Chinese boy, both visiting Tunisia for the first time. At the Custom Counter, my back-pack was checked a few times because the x-ray image showed a sharp object. After a thorough check, it was found that the suspicious object was actually the tripod for my camera. After having our luggage successfully scanned and our passports stamped, together with the other tourists we walked quite a distance to the TGM Train Station. Local currency will be required for the train or metro so we changed some Tunisian Dinars at the Money Changer in the port. The train ride to the Tunis City Centre was only one stop away. 

(La Goulette Cruise Harbour)

(Arriving in the city of Tunis)

(Checking in at the Carlton Hotel)

We checked-in Carlton Hotel, an elegant Art Nouveau building in Tunis downtown, 10-minute walk from Tunis Railway Station. It is a short walking distance to the National Library of Tunisia, the Bardo National Museum and the Medina. A breakfast buffet was served in a minimalist dining room with modern furnishings.

(The bistro along the avenue)

(The view of the main avenue)

(The small balcony of the hotel front facade)

As it was still early and the weather was cool, we went for a leisure afternoon walk along the Avenue Habib Bourguiba, where one could find historic architectural buildings and landmarks. Among others are the Cathedral St. Vincent de Paul, the Clocktower, Equestrian Statue of Bourghiba as well as many quaint bistros and cafes. This beautifully tree lined avenue leads to the Medina at one end and the Place Du 7 November Clock Tower with a nice fountain, at the other end.

(The entrance to the old Medina)

(All shops were already closed!)

(One of the government buildings)

(The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul)

(The tram criss-crossing the city)

(Many modern buildings too)

(Place Du 7 November Clock Tower)

We had dinner of Tuna Sandwich in the hotel room. After dinner dear hubby went to a nearby coffee shop to buy a cup of hot coffee and had a bad experience with a drunk who tried to extort some money. Luckily the shop Manager came to the rescue. At the hotel we were cautioned not to wonder at night and to beware of pickpockets. In Tunisia, the Medina, on public transport and outer suburbs are not particularly safe after dark especially for foreigners.

(A good night rest)

👈 2008 Tunisia: Carthage/Sousse/Sfax

2008: Palermo, Sicily 👉