Tunisia-Med-Sahara Day 1
Tunisia-Med-Sahara
Day 07-02 - Monday, March 16, 2009 - Arrive in Tunis/Welcome Drink and Dinner
The flight back to Casablanca was at 6:15am. Our alarm went off at 3:30! It was a short night.
The hotel had “breakfast” for us but it was only coffee and a few cookies. Both Adil and Jamal were there to pick us up at 4:30 for our break-of-day flight leaving Morocco.
Surprisingly, the airport was very busy this early in the morning and our flight to Casablanca was almost full. We sat by a beautiful young Moroccan woman who was on her way back to Orlando, Florida. She is doing a Ph.D. in Tourism and has worked at Disneyworld for the past three years.
The 40 minute flight went very quickly and in no time, we landed in Casablanca in a thick fog. We had just enough time to clear customs and immigration before the gate agent called us to board our flight to Tunis.
We were on the aircraft at 7:30 and thought we would have an empty flight as there were very few people in the gate area. Then Moroccan U-18 National Soccer team came aboard in their bright green and red uniforms.
I talked briefly with their coach while he waited in the aisle. I wished him good luck in the “Friendlies” they would play in Tunisia.
The 737 aircraft was about half full as we backed away from the jet way right on time at 7:55. There was a wait on the runway and we did not actually get off of the ground until 8:25.
We were served a light breakfast and our 2.5 hour journey to Tunis went very smoothly. Both of us tried to get a little sleep.
Although the skies were partly cloudy, we could see the Barbary Coastline below. Huge cargo ships and tankers were coming and going from the immense ports below us.
Even at 37,000 feet in the air, one could imagine the centuries of commerce taking place along the northern shores of Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.
Our landing was smooth and we had no delays in going through immigration. Then we had to go through another security and pass our carry-on bags through the x-ray machines again.
The next stop was the baggage carousel and luckily our bags were some of the first to arrive. We were waved right through customs although the young man right ahead of us was pulled over in not so friendly of way!
Our Tour Director Khamis met us right away and helped us to find an ATM and to change money. Two other flights carrying the remainder of our group were also arriving about the same time.
We waited for everyone to arrive and by 1:00 all 14 of us were together. Khamis led us to our small 28 passenger bus where our driver, Riadh was waiting.
The trip to the African Hotel was only about 15 minutes from the airport. It is close to the Main Avenue and an easy to walk to the attractions.
Before getting off of the bus, Khamis gave us a few instructions. We were able to get our room key-cards and then arrange for internet service for the three days we will be here.
With the internet connected, we wrote a note to our son, Eduardo and bagged the laundry for overnight service. We unpacked and Gennie started to type the journal.
I checked the weather; it is much cooler here today, 60º and 64% humidity. Our room is very spacious on the 9th floor with a panoramic view of the capital city of Tunisia.
We met at 5:00 with Khamis and the whole group for a Welcome Drink and Orientation Session. He gave us an overview of the many layers of civilization that make up Tunisia.
Tunisia has four distinct seasons and we are mid point between winter and spring. The winds are very important and he said knowing the wind is to know the country and its people.
We were told to expect rain, sunshine, and lots of wind! Each day we need to be prepared to dress in layers.
The group had an opportunity to introduce themselves and even though we knew eight of the 12 others, we had the chance to get to know the remaining people.
Khamis gave us the information about the optional activities available. There were a few questions and then I presented some information on hints for photography that I have been developing.
Our buffet dinner was exceptional! We had a multitude of salads to choose from; a very interesting hot table with meats, fish, and vegetables, but the dessert table was fantastic. Many commented that they would have liked to start their meal there!
We enjoyed our dinner conversation with our travel friends and reminisced about previous trips and the other mutual acquaintances that are not with us here in Tunisia.
After a long day of flying, we said goodnight and came back to the room to wrap up the journal and get a good night’s sleep before heading out on our Tunisia Adventure.
Accommodations: Africa Hotel - - - Meals: D
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Comments
Post a Comment!our trip in Tunisia sounds neat; my knowledge of Carthage comes from the Berlioz opera Les Troyens. I will be interested in your comments about Kasserine Pass.
Map of OAT Trip
Early Morning Flight - Marrakech
Flight to Tunis
Khamis Greeting OAT Group
Luggage at the Hotel Africa
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