NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

Many Brits now choose to bring their cars over to Tunisia or hire one for the duration of their holiday, enabling them to discover the many attractions that Tunisia has to offer at their leisure.  With Tunisia being only roughly the size of England, it is possible to travel from top to bottom, discovering the pine forests and rocky coasts of the North and the Mediterranean garden resorts of the Cap Bon, whilst having even enough time to fit in the magnificent desert and lunar landscapes of the South!

Sandra who divides her time between her homes in Scotland and Sousse describes her recent holiday in February for us, doing just this, holidaying on the Island of Djerba, before heading off to visit many of the attractions in the South of Tunisia.

The ferry crossing is from Djorf to Ajim/Djerba and takes 15 minutes. 

 
Fishing Boats At Djorf

Six ferries go back and forth and the cost is 800 millimes for a car, 200 for a motorbike or bicycle, passengers go free.

Arriving At Ferry Terminal, Djerba

The Marina looked lovely although not busy at this time of the year.

Entrance - Marina Djerba

The Chichkhan Coffee Shop seems to be very well known. 

Chichkhan Coffee Shop

It's huge and apart from the inside part that you can see, there is also a covered in, quieter part outside - sort of conservatory bit. 

Interior Chichkhan Coffee Shop

Musicians At Chichkhan Coffee Shop

Tea At Chichkhan

Chichkhan Fruit

The Chichkhan Parrot

Chichas At Chichkhan

The fruit chichas look good enough to eat!! 

On Wednesday, drove to Matmata, the long way!

Took the Roman Road (the road to Zarzis) which is on the south of the island about 7 km and it was built on the foundations of the ancient Roman Road. 

The Green Mosque Of Zarzis

Drove to Medenine, Toujane, Matmata, Matmata Nouvelle and Mareth then back to Djerba via the ferry from Djorf to Ajim. 

Cafe Toujane - All Toujane's Dwellings Are Made Of Local Stone

Toujane - Entrance to Olive Oil Press

Toujane - Olive Oil Press

Toujane - Inside Room

Toujane - Inside Shop

These photographs were taken after Toujane in the town of Matmata.  All apart from the last two are of the Museum there. 

Matmata Museum Entrance

Matmata Museum Traditional Berber Wedding Party

 
Matmata Museum Provisions Room

In the bedroom you will see the small cave/room on the right behind the bed - this is the shower room!! Behind the bed, the smaller cave/room is for the children! 

Matmata Museum Bedroom

The two storey Troglodyte house is the actual museum - some of these troglodyte houses can be seen scattered in the mountains on the way from Matmata, through Matmata Nouvelle and out towards Mereth.  These are vertical caves dug by man into soft sandstone, usually formed as a circle, with doors and rooms dug in from the vertical walls.

Matmata Two Storey Troglodyte House

The last two pix are from the Sidi Driss Hotel, which was featured in Star Wars 1.

Sidi Driss Hotel

Star Wars In Matmata

Thursday went to Ben Gardane and then on to Ras Jider which is the last Tunisian town before Libya – but could only go within 1 km of the town as once you are in there, they consider you to be going to or have been in Libya and you have to have relevant paperwork, passports, etc.

These photos are on the road to and in Ben Gardane where you can find loads of bargains.

Signpost To Ben Gardane

At the Souk which looks nothing from the outside, you can buy almost anything.  I priced a 42" LG TV at 1600TD.  There was every make, style and colour of mobiles phones available - all at amazingly low prices! 

Materials At Ben Gardane Souk

The one long street you can see is lined both sides with vendors selling their wares from Libya.  I couldn't help smiling when I saw the one shop selling bedding and tyres - unusual combination.

Ben Gardane Street Market

An Unusual Combination - Tyres And Bedding - Ben Gardane

In the town of Ben Gardane there are streets and streets of money traders selling and buying Tunisian & Libyan Dinars

Ben Gardane Money Changer

After Ben Gardane on the way to Ras Jidir the last town in Tunisia and the Libyan border, there is a little town called Jamila.  Here Tunisia's answer to The Two Ronnies were - The Two Zouaris.  The one with the headgear to the right sells Libyan petrol and you can see his house. 

Zouaris And Zouaris In Jamila

He has two generators, both operated by petrol, which give him heat and light - he said he doesn't need a thing, he has everything he needs.  Both said they originated from Baghdad!!! mmmmm!

The Zouaris Home??(!)

Both the Zouaris change money too - barcha floos!

From around this point the road signs read 2522 kms to Cairo!!

From Ben Gardane to Ras Jidir it's 31kms.

From Ras Jidir to Tunis it's 588kms

The lady selling Libyan petrol wasn't keen on having her face shown which is a pity because she was beautiful. She offered me a traditional costume and a job if I wanted.  Her home is situated just as you come off the Roman Road from Djerba.

The Petrol Lady Offered Me A Job!

Didn’t have enough hours to get to Tataouine – next time.  Came back through Zarzis which looks amazing – Vincci have a lovely hotel there which I’m going to try another time.