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Published: June 29th 2017
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Geo: 36.819, 10.1658
Why not? Only a couple weeks until we start heading home, so an opportunity to see something different. Its not like its hard, far or expensive from Europe. Ive seen Dubai, and Southern Africa but never anything in Northern Africa. I expected Tunisia to be somewhere between the two. I also thought it would be cool to see the ruins of Carthage.
It was a hastily planned expedition, booking flights and accommodation within 36 hours of departure. Information on Visas vague. Not required for Dutch passport holders. Great. Required for Australians, but you probably can get it on arrival. Reports of the cost of this varied from $1AUD to $300AUD. OK then. Vaccinations recommended, yep both covered. Booking our flight with Tunisair was awkward, thanks to the pathetic quality of the well known flight search engine and booking agent called eDreams. I made a booking, entered credit card details, which was confirmed 'pending payment can be taken from the card. We will let you know by email sometime.' What? Really? Err my flight is in 36 hours? I'm committed to payment now, or am I? How can I commit to accommodation in such uncertainty? It led me having to stop
my credit card (to avoid double payment), and just go and book the flight direct with Tunisair. DONT USE EDREAMS.
After all the hassle of organising, todays transition from Aalst to Brussels International Airport by train and flight from Belgium to Tunis, actually went all really smoothly. Especially the part where I received two texts. One saying Hawthorn trailed Geelong by 20 at three quarter time in the Preliminary final. The next, we had come from behind to win by 5. The Kennett Curse is over. The flight took all of about 2.5 hours. It was also an awesome flight, came with food and the Cameroon International football team. Upon arrival at customs, things did get a bit interesting. We knew Nat needed a visa, we just didn't know how much it would cost. The Tunisian currency is the Dinar, 1 of which is around $0.55AUD. Theres some weird law that prohibits you from getting this currency outside of Tunisia. On arrival, the Visa desk, requires payment in Dinars only... with no possibility of having any. Well thought out, well no. The visa lady tells us the cost will be 102 Dinars, and will keep our passport in exchange for a
piece of paper/ authorisation to skip the customs queues, just walk through security me with my bag alongside Nat (and my passport, hypothetically allowing me free entry?) to go to an ATM inside the terminal, get money, and come back through the exit, past officials, custom officers and guards. OK then, here goes. It was baffling how little anyone cared. Want me to take my laptop out of the bag? No? Are you even paying attention? I beeped through the metal detectors? I have dynamite taped to my body, I'm on fire? Anyone?
So we just walked through security and back. On return of Nats passport complete with Visa, we were told the price was actually only 30 Dinars. Cool. Win. Ironically, all that took way less time, than me just waiting in queue, visaless with thousands of others. Not because of strict customs officers, but just a slow pace, and perhaps a couple officers were snoozing or chatting. I booked our hotel close to the airport which seemed walking distance, to hopefully avoid taxi ripoffs. The tourist info tells us, no you cant walk, taxi should cost around 5 Dinars. No prob. We find the most official taxi spot. 30
Dinas. Fail. Its just so boring and predictable. What could we do? Avoid taxis. Wed already rejected several guys offer at 25.
Our hotel is excellent. It feels too good for us. We spent the evening wandering the streets, strolling along the water also, in beautiful warm dusk. Theres plenty of stray dogs and cats for company, but overall were definitely in a safe, wealthy, yet affordable area of Tunis. We had a lovely meal at an Arabic Themed and styled restaurant by the sea, pizza and Almond Lemonade on offer. Yes, lemonade with almonds floating in it of course. Hopefully tomorrow, a visit to the ruins of the city of Carthage.
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