Glad to hear that you all had a good time in Tunisia, it is very different from Spain, if you like Egypt I am sure you would like Tunisia, I must admit I think the Tunisians are slightly friendlier than the Egyptians

I've just taken the lazy way out and booked a transfer with A2B for my arrival in the early hours of 11th October. I usually just grab a taxi but at that time of night I didn't fancy 'negotiating' with the drivers, and £5.90 from the airport to Royal Salem suits me fine. I'll have a taxi back of course as I'll be more 'compos mentis' then and will have re-honed my negotiating skills.

of course as I'll be more 'compos mentis'

Mmmmm, one can only hope, but you do have a bit of a reputation for having to be carried back

Thanks my friend, that could be misinterpreted! If you want your coffee you'd better be careful what you say to me, Anyway a Scottish friend of mine will have moved out to her apartment in Hammam Sousse by the time I get there and she has just bought a boat so watch this space for reports of any further accidents!!

Cyd - I notice you mentioned in June that you were hoping to be back in Tunisia in October. Have you booked anything yet?

A life on the ocean wave? should be an interesting adventure Pat.

How is everybody? I've not been around as much lately with one thing and another.
Hope you and your family are keeping well Graham, how is the new grandchild?
We had our grand-daughter Annie born 4 weeks ago, a wee cracker.

You'd better believe it Jimmy. Thanks for your phone call this evening, it was nice to speak to you.

Nice to hear from you Jimmy I hope everybody is well!

Still got 8 weeks before grandchild arrives, better make the most of my now.

A life on the ocean wave? should be an interesting adventure Pat.

Please don't encourage her you know what she is like near water and boats, you be careful Pat

Hi all

Everything seems quiet here at present. My friends and I are going back to Sousse on the 26th of this month. We will be going to see the new Changing Ladies Show. If anyone has any other "new" info re: Sousse or Port El Kantouil please post it here.

Wishing you all well
Cheers
Anthony

You'll be there before me Anthony as I'll not be back until 10th October. Will you be staying at the Royal Salem again? I'm staying there for the first time so any up-to-date info would be useful. I've noticed on some of the reviews that the hotel has an annex so I'm e-mailing them a week before I go to ask for a room in the main hotel, and on a floor accessible by lift. I know they would probably be willing to move me if I was unhappy with the room, especially if I wave a bottle of whisky at reception staff, but as I won't be arriving until about 3 a.m. I don't think I'll have the energy to 'negotiate'.

Incidentally I have just had a recommendation from one of the ex-pats there. Le Guepard Restaurant at the Slim Centre is supposed to be very nice though perhaps a bit pricey (at least by Tunisian standards). Let me know about Changing Ladies. I've been meaning to go again for the past couple of years but somehow not got round to it. I take it that it's still at Casino Caraibe on Wednesday nights?

Have a lovely time and save some sunshine for me.

Hi again

Thanks for your swift reply. Unfortunately the day you arrive is the day I depart. The Royal will be my base and the lift service is excellant and is right opposite the reception and Bureau de Change desks. They also have safety deposit boxes on the ground floor at a very reasonable rate. Ask for a Room on the upper floors; 4th or 5th preferably, they are better with great views. The complex now has two outdoor pools and an indoor pool. The indoor pool however does make my eyes sting a little so obviously there is some additive in the water.

I have an All Inclusive Booking and often the Lunch buffet is as good as the evening one. This means if you fancy your main meal at lunchtimes you are well catered for.

If the situation re The Changing Ladies is the same as last year, and I haven't heard that it has changed, then they are on at the Casino on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

They may also be appearing at one of the Hotels in the Port, possibly on a Thursday; but there they do not do their full stage show.

Please post again if there is anything else I can tell you. I hope you have a wonderful stay.

Anthony

Thanks Anthony. Sorry I'll miss you but perhaps we'll meet up out there one day. I'll take your advice and ask for a room on the 4th or 5th floor in my e-mail to the hotel. It's good news about the lift too, as I read somewhere that it doesn't reach all floors. A couple of other questions - is the butter actually butter or the dreaded 'spread' which some hotels have? and is there a fridge in the room (even if they call it a mini bar)? If the answer to the first question is 'no' and 'yes' to the second, I'll pop into Magasin General and pick up some butter for breakfast as I can't stand the other stuff. I've only booked half board as I always spend so much time out of the hotel that All Inclusive doesn't seem worth it. I have a Scottish friend who has just moved out to her apartment in Hammam Sousse and other friends from Bristol who are leaving the UK on Saturday to drive to their apartment in the same area, where they will be staying until just before Christmas, as well as other ex-pats and local friends, so no doubt a certain amount of socialising will take place.

Sorry for all the questions but I've just thought of something else! I do like a glass or two of wine with my dinner (Vieux Magon for preference) and quite a few hotels will bring you a bottle and at the end of the meal take back what's left and return it to your table the next night. Have you seen them do this at the Royal? As I travel alone I find this very convenient as I never (well hardly ever) get through a whole bottle at one sitting. I know you can take it out of the dining room but I prefer to buy any drinks in the evening from the bar. If you're AI you probably haven't come across this personally but may have noticed it with other people. By the way, do you happen to know if they do Cedratine?

Have a wonderful holiday and no doubt we'll swap reports when we get back.

Hi

OK.Butter is available, as is Flora. As for the wine they do have the brand but I'm not sure about the saving a bottle but they are very accomodating.

You may get a fridge but if not you can hire one. Room 509 had one last year.

As for Cedratine that is not something I have come across.

Talk again soon
Anthony

Thanks Anthony. So pleased they have butter (zibtah) as I don't often want a cooked breakfast and croissants and butter with a little apricot jam suits me fine! If you haven't tried cedratine you must give it a go this time - it's a lemon based liqueur made in Tunisia and is usually only around 2/3 dinars a glass in the hotels. It's the only local liqueur I like as I hate boukha and thibarine.

Going to have a look at apts in PEK when we're over. Maybe an avenue for a long term rental .
Not long now Pat? Bet your looking forward to seeing Heather and Raad at the Sultan?
We will meet up with them later in the month.

Three weeks today Jimmy and I'll be on my way. Heather and Raad left yesterday and are driving over via Genoa as you know. All going to plan for them except that they nearly missed the ferry at Bristol. They got as far as Calais yesterday and are off to Mannheim today, intending to get the ferry from Genoa about 24th I think. I think I'll probably see a bit more of them than simply at the Sultana as neighbours of theirs in Hammam Sousse are friends of mine and we're talking of a bit of socialising!! You certainly don't waste time do you! One visit to PEK and you're already thinking of long-term rental. I think it's an excellent idea if you can find something you like and at least you've both already met know some of the ex-pats.

Your right Pat, something about Tunisia that ticks all boxes.
Long term seems a good idea, especially at this time of the year, as the cold plays havoc with Anne's condition.
Heather has been keeping in contact with Anne by e-mail lately. Hope everything goes ok with them.
There seems to a few members here going to Tunisia on holiday at this time i think.
Cant imagine the attraction though.

Cant imagine the attraction though

Neither can I! Perhaps if I can force myself to go a few more time it may grow on me!

Friends

Just looked at the 14 day weather guide for Sousse. 80s all the way. Looks good.

Enjoy your holidays. Chat again after ours.

Luv
Anthony

Don't worry Anthony, I'm keeping an eye on the forecast too. Last October, a couple of days before my accident, we had the most tremendous storm and the water was up to my knees whilst crossing the road in Sousse.