Sousse, Tunisia, The Beginning

For Hector, the Holiday officially begins when one is issued with the room key and the said room is accessed. A mere seven hours after we took off from Glasgow Airport, we checked in to the Four Star – Riadh Palms Hotel, Sousse. Room 3301, so third floor then. 301?, our key was traditional, it required electronic. A Cleaning Doris pointed in another direction, we saw 3301 clearly signed. Half a kilometre later, or so it felt, we entered our not unsubstantial room. The Bathroom particularly impressed. Time for Lunch.

With an All Inclusive Deal, one felt that The System had to be Analysed.

Getting down to ground level was difficult. We found a service elevator, determined not to return to the solitary elevator which would no doubt still bestowed, we walked down stairs and finally gained access to the Garden and Pool area. An Outdoor Café was feeding those who wish to spend their entire day – Poolside. Boring!

Finding a way back in the large Dining Room was located on the Lobby Level. A Buffet, well how else can one feed perhaps two thousand people resident? Choosing the Healthy Option and the standard Sparkling Water I thought I had better try the Bier. I asked for Blonde Biere as this is what I had spotted. Biere Blanche would have been more accurate. A Hoegarden Variant made by the Local Brewer Celtia (Societe Frigilogique et Brasserie de Tunis) was offered. I can drink this! As much Bier as I ask for All Inclusive for eight days. I could be happy here.

So how far are we from the Centre of Sousse?

The only way to find out was to walk into town. It was overcast, it wasn’t hot, I left the The Promenade looked Infinite as we starter The Trek. A rather impressive Beach for the Mediterranean ran in a straight line, the Town Centre presumably lay at the far end.

Deutsche Kaffee was the first sign that caught our eyes as we left the Promenade area. Suddenly Marg decided she likes German Coffee, she never has At Source! A Chap tried to pick us up saying he was The Chef at our Hotel and was on his afternoon break. We do not need a Guide. We had to cross the road to get away from him. The problem with All Inclusive is the Wristband. The Locals all know exactly where we stay by the colour. Even the Taxi Drivers as it became all too obvious very soon. The Walk to Town was well within Acceptable Parameters, I suspect we shall be doing this frequently.

The Medina was not to hard to find, especially since many Locals had pointed us in the right direction. I suppose it is just as well we wanted to go there. The Medina Walls, did I mention a Movie they feature in?, were as impressive as Jerusalem. That is quite an admission for Hector who holds Jerusalem in the highest esteem. The Ribat came in to view very quickly too, exterior photos today only, we are here for a week.

Wandering through part of the Medina I soon came to realise just how large this place is. With endless lines of Bazaars and nobody seemingly buying anything, how do these guys make a living? The Foodstuffs must be bought by The Locals, much of what is on sale is Crap. People buy Crap?

We found ourselves outside the Walls,impressive, once more. Another Gate saw us enter. What is that way up at the top? Another day.

The People at the Deutscher Kaffee spoke to us in em, Deutsch and every other language I could recognise. A Sparkling Water for Hector. Marg would have Coffee and Ice Cream! This was brought with a massive Slab of Cake, On The House. Hector ate most of the Ice Cream with frozen fresh strawberries. Ice Cream I do, my only Sweety.

Taking a road parallel to the Promenade, we passed many Snack Bars and eventually some Restaurants. Noting resembling a Pub. Bier may not advertised in Tunisia, certainly not in Sousse. A few places caught the eye, but then on a Side Street, a Tunisian Restaurant also selling Indian Food. Two possible venues for Curry!

We walked up to the Taj Mahal which was metres uphill from the Hotel, it sold Coffee et al, no Curry here.

After a Wee Lie own it was Dinner Time. With nothing explained at Check-in we were in the dark. We were moved on from one table, because it was reserved and taken to another. Our Dinner Ticket was checked and we were assured that this would be our tale for all of our meals and Dinner would be at this time. We were on the Second Sitting. School Dinners came to mind.

One had to queue for the Meat at the Buffet but it appeared quite civilised. The Waiter brought Drinks, more Biere Blanche, I hope I do not get scunnered.

Brasil v Espania

There was the small matter of a Football Match. The Paying Bar had a large screen TV. The Waiter told us the Final was not on until 23.00. I had a Bier regardless. Celtia Lager, a Green Bottle with White Writing, what chance did it have? It was too Sweet, not wonderful. The alternative was a Draught Pils, whose, he wouldn’t tell me.

And so for the Final it was Draught Pils. Not the worst Bier in the World, served in a Pint Glass, unlike the Freebies.

We never did see the end of the match, due to Satellite problems the picture was stuck with fifteen minutes to go. Brasil still won.

That was a twenty two hour day. Hector promises to be more brief with the rest.

Cafes, Restaurants and Bars visited today:

Riadh Palms Hotel, Sousse

Deutscher Kaffee, Sousse

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