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..

1855 km, 10 days, 9 nights - our Holidays in The South Day 1

Day one,

Packing, packing packing. The plan is set, the kids ready, travel cot packed, hundreds of bags, little bags, sun tan lotion etc - packed. Juice and Wetabeex - packed..so what do we need to do? Go to Victors Traditional Tunisian Dress Day at School and go to Lea's Birthday party - then collect Gillouz at work and go down from Tunis to Monastir where our first stop is and first night booked and hotel Monastir Beach.

1. Party number 1 - Tunisian Dress Day - oh my Gosh - all the kids hyped on chocolate and wearing traditional clothes, girls with make up - music blasting, parents taking photos (yes me too), stuffed camel and the well..- check for yourself!

2. Party no. 2 - Lea's birthday - more sweets! ok hyped like a chimp in the space ("SPACE") ready to go - time 17:00 - Gillouz still at work - Mama Ania furious!

3. Ready - steady go!

Finally we left - day - 19/03/2010 Friday - both kids sleeping in the back of the car - Kia Rio flying south. Around 21h arrived to Monastir - got lost of course and finally managed - thanks to Gillou - to find the beach and on that beach Monastri Beach hotel - Damn you Routard! Seeing Gillou's face coming back from the hotel said it all - we just did the runner - yes yes my wife in the car with the kids I will just get her - oh yea..off we went - what a strange place..not recommend it at all!

So there we were in Monastir with nowhere to stay, but still very lucky! we found Framissima Regency hotel right in the middle of Monastir - right in the centre on the beach (very smelly one - the beach that is)

Let me revert to my notes from that night..

Room is huge. Hotel located just next to Port de Plesaince with blue doors and blue furniture - we are in the round tower and can see Port de Plesance and swimming pool on the other side. Location - Medina and the Beach - downside - the beach stinks! The seaweed is just there as its not high season so they don't clean it. - price is great 110 DTN for all of us. Food delivered to the room - delish! (octopus, prawns, pasta for Victor, Tunisian pastry complementary, bottle of wine and water - 55 DTN. Service and people - extremely nice. We feel like at home.

Note: image to remember (which I managed to forget!) the cat sitting snugly in the revolving door of the hotel entrance - that comes back even if you try to shove him way with your leg (Gillou) - assumes the position and looks comfy as ever!

Tomorrow Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax and the Islands - but first we need to switch off the light and Victor has to sleep - its 1 am!

Babcia in Tunis!!

So first we went to Dublin - what a journey. Had great two weeks (1 for Gillou) there, seeing all the friends and sites and Victor loved his room and his toys back. Pretty quickly we got reminded that it rains all the time plus in one week there was more crime on the Telly and papers then what we here of in Tunisia in a year I think! Then it was the way back to Tunis with Babcia - see the way we travel - Mila strapped to me and Victor rules the airports.

And then we had Babcia Ela enjoying Hammam, massage, coffee and tea, kids - great time. Thanks to Babcia Ela we have a great collection of photos - some of which we share here!

Oh yes - we got the car now full time! And the police now recognize us so we get friendly waves and get stopped only 3 times a months and not 8 like before! (have I mentioned my red lights fine?- maybe in another post..)

We miss Babcia big time now!

Kids

They do grow so quick - Victor and Mila are starting playing together - so here some photos for family and friends!

Veg talk

Ok - I know veg is veg for some - but I do not stop being amazed by the way the vegetable taste here and by my local corner veg shop - here the sample of leeks - perfect for leek and potato soup or boiled quickly - then add red onion and vinegrette and put in the fridge to make a great cold summer lunch!

Bizert - my favourite image and bennies (donuts) of course

This is my my favorite photo taken in Bizert in the old port.

Next time we went to Bizert on our own was on the way to Raf Raf plage (in the post that follows) and we stopped to get donuts with figs and dates - the best and our favourite - eaten sitting on the stone in the old harbour - the taste of those we would love to take home with us! The lines of people waiting for them was amazing - you could see the "donut" master preparing the dough in the back and heating up the oil..will be back soon for some more!

For Future - in case we forget

when Victor grows up! Today I have discovered, after two long years of wandering WHY Victor eyes are watering / crying when he watches the TV - not to mention that we did take him to doctor twice to see what was wrong! Our little Vicio Picio does not BLINK while watching! he is so into the movie etc that he does not waste time to blink his eyes! So mystery solved! Now we just have to remind him to blink from time to time at least!