In our previous blog we explored the area South of Sousse like the amphitheater of El Jem, the ancient city of Mahdia, and Monastir, a popular wintering hole for cruisers. Today we continue North towards Tunis and we decided to drive via Marina Yasmine Hammamet some 10 km South of Hammamet city. Little did we […]
Tunisia, Part 5 of 5 Read More »
In the previous post we drove back North in Tunisia and explored the medina of Sousse, a city of great wealth during ancient times. Today we will explore the area South of Sousse and our first stop is the amphitheater near El Jem. Thysdrus, present day El Jem, became the centre of olive oil production
Tunisia, Part 4 of 5 Read More »
In our previous post we drove further South in Tunisia and deeper into “Berber country”. We explored a few Ksars, especially Ksar Hadada where “The Phantom Menace”, a Starwars movie, was shot. In this post we will explore Toujane (A) and drive North, to Sousse (D) where we booked a room in Dar Badia for
Tunisia, Part 3 of 5 Read More »
In the previous post we sailed from Sicily to Bizerte in Tunisia, visited friends we know from Abu Dhabi en drove a rental car to Kairouan, Islam’s fourth holiest city. We continue driving South, deeper into Berber country. Chili peppers drying in the desert sun waiting to be milled in Bouhajla (D on the map
Tunisia, Part 2 of 5 Read More »
In our previous blog we joined a street-food tour in Palermo and provisioned the boat for the onward journey. On Sep 22, 10.00am looking back to Palermo, feeling sorry we had to leave and feeling sad because of the wildfires in the surrounding hills. We have witnessed too many wildfires in the tourist areas around
Leaving Sicily for Tunisia. Read More »
Spain lifted travel restrictions on Jun 21, exactly three months after the lockdown in Morocco began on Mar 20. Yes, ………..now we had a place to go to but, …………. We had to ask the Moroccan authorities for permission to leave since the country is still under lock-down until Jul 14. After signing a document
locked down March 20 – June 26, 2020 Especially during the first month, the COVID restrictions were strictly enforced. Only one person per boat was allowed to leave the marina for shopping to the nearest grocery store or pharmacy, which for us happened to be both in the Ibn Battuta Mall (the red dot at
Tangier, Morocco – 4 Read More »
Although the Medina and the Kasbah are the tourist source of income, Tangier has more up its sleeve. The modern business district can rival with many European cities and Tangier is surrounded by 4 major industrial parks home to a diversified industry. The glitzy towers and 4 lane roads miss the atmosphere of the older
Tangier, Morocco – 3 Read More »
In 1419 the Portuguese were the first in Europe to start methodical expeditions along West Africa’s coast under the sponsorship of prince Henry the Navigator, marking the beginnings of Europe’s “Age of Discoveries” (See; https://www.twobatsea.com/belem-portugal/). Tangier became Portugese territory in 1471 but in 1661 was passed on to the British as part of Portuguese princess Catherine
Tangier, Morocco – 2 Read More »
After fuelling up at CEPSA in Gibraltar, (0.75 EU per liter but more expensive than Philippines!) we left for Tangier on Sunday Mar 8, 2020. Navigating our way out of Gibraltar bay between the anchored freighters and tankers is the easy part. What you really have to look out for are the high speed ferries.
Tangier, Morocco – 1 Read More »