Day 2. Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax and Isles Kerkennah

We got up with the sun trying to wake us ups d
esperately through three windows of the hotel tower. Opened the window and saw the amazing view of the calm sea - had to get everyone on the balcony to feel the air (the stench of the seaweed gone for the moment). Went down for breakfast to find the group of French tourists - we were the youngest in the crowd. Checked out and set out to see the city of Habbib Burgiba - I revert to my notes:Mila and Victor a bit of novelty being the youngest. Monastir - we did a walk acrossthe cemetery to see Mausoleum of Habib Bourgiba. the town is very touristy with great squares and Ribats (monasteries) and lovely beach. Not much to do unfortunately. Found the pharmacy (Victor was coughing all night like a trouper and got us very worried) and decided to go to Mahdia

Monastir

Mausoleum of Habib Burgiba

Views of the Cemetery in Mahdia

Lonely Boat in Mahdia

(oh yes we did see the golden statue of Bourgiba) Mahdia has a beautiful beach but what is more worth seeing is maritime cemetery just on the Cap Africa with a little port, tiny, very beautiful. We had super cheap lunch in a local place on the beach. Pizza 4 DTN and local spicy crepe for 1.5 DTN! Very little time and had to rush to Sfax as the last ferry was leaving at 18:30 - which meant we needed to be there for 17:30. Only 3 hours left. We got lost once and then finally pushed to Sfax. Scenery was changing by a minute. Right now we had olive groves and red soil giving amazing combination int eh sun. Kids were doing well but we had to revert to "chimps in space" for Vicio. Got to Sfax for 17:30 exactly and by chance and Gillou's intuition found the port and the ferry. People were queuing already and we were the only tourists going on the oat for an amazing price of 4.400 DNT for the car and .650 for adult.

On the boat to the islands!

Ahead of us one hour passage to the islands. Boat was of the old type so we had to back the car onto it- a bit of an interesting one - wooden benches on "viewing" deck and neon lights above. Victor very quickly was the king of the boat giving Gillou heart attack any time he climbed the railing - and Mila was the Queen of it. Very quickly she was snatched away from me and passed around for kisses and games - guys especially loved playing with her (Tunisian thing with the babies - they adore them!) Took a while to get her back! We arrived - it was dard so we did not see much on the way to the hotel. Hotel Cercina - there are two parts - old and new - The Residence. The new one was fully booked so we had no choice but to stay in the old one. Price 34 DTN for all of us and some experience! Most upsetting for Gillouz - no TV to watch Rugby Match and it being the 6 nations final (England - France - France won by the way) he was not a picture of happiness. Wanted to leave the islands next day! (imagine all drama connected with it!) Room was soaked in cigarette smoke and quite old and dusty - but 5 meters from the sea. Really tired we went to the hotel restaurant which turns out to be the best on the islands and indeed - what the feat! Octopus in sauce for me - never tasted more tender octopus in my life! and NOTE: Cuttlefish Eggs - oh my dear..in garlic. - Out of this world experience. Of course nice bottle of wine to go with it. After the eventful day and this meal for kings we slept like logs not minding anything - we opened little blue shutter and the fresh sea air was pumping in..cannot wait to see where we really are - tomorrow..