NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA | Life In Tunisia For British Expats

Seeing In The New Year - Tunisian Style

Kelly - British Expat living in Tunis

Where in Tunisia were you for the New Year 2008 Celebrations?	Nahrawess Hotel, between Nabeul and Hammamet
How did you celebrate?	We booked for a gala dinner with two friends, which was "just amazing!"
What was the meal like?	The meal consisted of 7 delicious courses! Fish and seafood cocktail Onion and mushroom soup Fish dinner with vegetables Lemon sorbet Filet steak, with pepper sauce, potatoes and vegetables which included Brussel Sprouts! Nougat ice cream with strawberry sauce A beautiful, 3 tier New Year cake, brought in on the stroke of midnight!
What kind of entertainment was laid on?	We were entertained throughout the evening, whilst eating, by a traditional Tunisian band, two singers, a belly dancer and the "Changing Ladies" show. We were all provided with a party bag of balloons, hats and whistles to bring in the New Year!
Was it good value for money?	The cost was 80 dinars each (around £35), drinks were not included, we paid 40 dinars (around £15) for a bottle of wine. On the whole, I thought the value for money was exceptional!
Anything else included?	Free entrance to the hotel's Las Vegas nightclub to continue to party into the small hours!
How were this New Year celebrations compared to last year's?	It was one of the best evenings I can recall in Tunisia and would definitely recommend anyone wanting to celebrate New Year in Tunisia to experience the Nahrawess hotel. People of all ages, including many children, enjoyed the evening!
And compared to celebrating in the UK?	I think the comparison with celebrating NewYear in UK is that there are plenty of hotels in Tunisia laying on gala dinners and they really are good fun if you can choose the right one (I wasn't impressed with last year's at the Vincci in Sousse!) and they are great value for money, with a night packed of entertainment.

Linda - British Expat living in Hammamet

Christmas and New Year were just another week for us! We didn't celebrate at all, just indulged in some English foods that I ordered via the internet and were delivered here from the UK!

Got lots of things in the cupboard now with English brand names on them. Lovely to see and to eat too!

Katrina - British Teen living in Nabeul

I spent New Year's Eve, working normal hours in the pottery factory until 6.00pm (no early finish for me!)

I then celebrated at home with family and friends, eating roast chicken and traditional gateaux and cakes.

We didn't watch the fireworks on the television from London, just lots of talking!

Sandra - British Expat living in Sousse

Where in Tunisia were you for the New Year 2008 Celebrations?	L'Escargot Restaurant, opposite El Hana Beach hotel, Sousse.
How did you celebrate?	A few of us went along for a meal, having booked well in advance!
What was the meal like?	The meal consisted of 5 courses including :- Mini selections of hot and cold typical Tunisian nibbles (brik, tagine.) Served with the usual accompaniments, harissa, herb butter, carrots and potatoes in mayonnaise. The meal was spread over 3 hours and Tiramisu was served after the bells!
What kind of entertainment was laid on?	A Tunisian band entertained the mainly Tunisian and French families (not many tourists) from 11.00 pm all the way through.
Was it good value for money?	Cost was 65 dinars, drinks were extra. Food was great, service faultless, atmosphere cosy and intimate.
Anything else included?	The management gave everyone a bag full of party hats, masks and the usual party stuff. At the stroke of midnight there were barcha bous - lots of New Year kisses and many people were up dancing, everyone was in good spirits and no-one was falling about drunk.
How were this New Year celebrations compared to last year's?	Most venues include entertainment with the meal on New Year's Eve. In 2002, I spent the evening at a restaurant called Bonaparte. The restaurant was full, this time mostly tourists. It was very loud and many were really drunk even before midnight! There were belly dancers and lots of loud party music. Lots of revellers then went downstairs to the disco to continue partying until the morning! Other years have been spent at some of the larger hotels in Port El Kantaoui, where the entertainment was well organised, with something for all ages, although the evenings were very long and sometimes the courses were coldish by the time they were served!
And compared to celebrating in the UK?	There is a big difference in prices! The local 4 star (ex Hilton) hotel in my home town in Scotland were charging £49.00 per person, compared to 65 dinars (around £27.50.) The last time I spent New Year in Scotland was over 7 years ago and that would normally be spent with immediate family and I would be in bed by 12.30 pm!

Kevin of http://www.4x4-travel.co.uk/

Seeing in the New Year of 2007, must have been our strangest ever!

We spent three days travelling across the dunes of the Sahara, followed by some tracks. On New Year's Eve we travelled a total of 14 miles. As the night fell we decided to celebrate early. It is difficult trying to stay awake in the desert until midnight and the deadline of 9.00 pm was chosen as New Year.

At two minutes past 9.00 pm, we realised that we had missed the deadline, so we set another of 9.15 pm! We counted down this one and drank a toast with champagne. I even set off a red distress flare (hand held, not parachute) which was met with approval from all in our group!