The weather in the UK last year had been so bad, that, about this time last year we decided to have a last minute holiday.
We went to the travel agent and explained roughly what we wanted, and they came up with a couple of suggestions, Tunisia or Maderia, but they said the weather in Maderia could be "iffy" at this time of year, so we decided to plump for Tunisia.
We were surprised to hear that the flight was only about 2 and a half hours, which, considering we were heading for Africa, sounded pretty good.
Everything with the flight etc. went well, but when we arrived in Hammamet in Tunis - yes you guessed - it was raining and windy, we were so diappointed, apparantley it was very unsual for this time of year, even the locals were quite surprised. A couple were leaving as we were arriving and they were well peed of as apparantley it had been like it for the whole of their stay.
Despite the weather, we were determined to make the most of our holiday, and a "Noddy" bus was stationed outside our hotel, which went on regular trips to Hammamet town. We boarded the bus with a couple of friends we had made in the hotel, we had not been on it for long when one of the locals jumped on and started putting traditional headdresses on us which he produced from a bag. We couldnt stop laughing, sitting in the rain with these things on our heads all looking pretty stupid, of course he charged them for us once they were on our heads, but we didnt care.
When we got to Hammamet it was a lovely town with a harbour etc and forte type building, behind this was a lovely market with a good array of goods, the best being the leather goods. I acquired a beautiful real leather haversack type leather bag for seven pounds, we had to barter to get it for that price, but it was worth it they had every style of bag imaginable, there were loads of other real bargains in the market.
The locals were really nice people, there was no hassle of any sort.
After a couple of days of rain the weather cleared, the rain cleared and it got lovely and hot. bliss!
We took a day trip to Sousse on the train which took just over an hour, the tickets were cheap and it was an experience to see all the locals, the trains got quite packed and on the way back we didnt get a proper seat but sat out in the partitions with some locals and bags and bags of shopping! Again Sousse was a very pleasant place with a beautiful souvenir shop spanning about five floors all split into china, glass leather sections etc.
We went on a traditional Tunis night, we paid for the ticket and that included as much red wine as we could drink, food and entertainment.
The entertainment was basically more like a circus with animals riding round the arena, jugglers etc.
The food left a bit to be desired, but the wine was good! - and the waiters were doing their own balancing acts with the bottles and glasses!
Towards the end of the evening the belly dancers came on and then we were asked if anyone would like to come and join them. I must have had a bit too much red wine because I ended up in the arena strutting my stuff - oh well thats what holidays are all about!
To sum up, I would say that my experience of going to Tunis was a very pleasant one, usually the weather is good, the flight is short for a relatively exotic holiday and the locals and the country was good.
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It's nice to read about a country I can never go to(I'm Jewish)...and I enjoyed your first page of reviews..and have put you on an alert..LL
pauljm 18.09.2001 12:07
The problem with north Africa generally is that it's pretty much pot luck as to whether you get a good hotel. Price is not always a good guide and even in up-market hoels the standard of food, for example, can vary widely. Glad that yo had a good time. Paul.
mbmb11 13.09.2001 18:30
I went to Sousse in Tunisia, and loved it.
The only problem i had with the place was the haggling over prices - it really started to put me off buying anything!
mbmb11 x
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Advantages: Great Spring weather. Loads to see and not a mozzie in sight Disadvantages: Local dishes a bit thin on the ground and insipid international cuisine
Advantages: Good weather, good prices, Africa though not too far away, possible to pack a lot in because good organised trips Disadvantages: Pushy shopkeepers, sometimes lack of English, easy to be ripped offf
Advantages: Great Spring weather. Loads to see and not a mozzie in sight Disadvantages: Local dishes a bit thin on the ground and insipid international cuisine
Advantages: Good weather, good prices, Africa though not too far away, possible to pack a lot in because good organised trips Disadvantages: Pushy shopkeepers, sometimes lack of English, easy to be ripped offf
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