Hi Llindy, I've just read your reports, both on the Marhaba Palace and PEK itself. You deserve a gold star for getting them on so quickly. I do so agree about the pavements in Tunisia, they can be a nightmare, especially with the trees they like to plant in the middle of them and also the steep kerbs you have to negotiate.

Aslemma/Patricia...

We know all about Ramadan, that is exactly why we go at that time. Thanks for your comment.

The Ribat steps do take some mastering. The Soula Centre is a shop worth visiting, in the centre of Sousse, as is the new shopping centre, so-called, just 5 mins from the Medina City and our Hotels.

Yes the Marhaba group does take children but there are just a few in September. The Hotel complex, we are on, now has two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, Pool snack Bar, Beach Bar, Moorish Cafe and full amenities. The Royal has splendid rooms, I get a three bedded room all to myself, with Sea views. The Buffet is excellant.

We often meet with staff members for an evening coffee, at the Medina City, and always celebrate Eid with them.

On the way into Sousse, opposite the Tej Marhaba, is an interesting new Hotel, due to open this month. It has, apparently, 635 rooms and is 5 star!

The weather changes from "tortuously" hot in August to a more acceptable level in early September. Many days 27 degrees c up to 30 and sometimes 35 degrees tops. We can live with that and always find that there is a cooling breeze.

We are morning strollers. Post-breakfast walks, on the beach or into the Port or to Sousse or Pool days.

Evenings depend on entertainment provided or Cafes, the Port, Medina Cafe, Cool-evening shopping & friendly-tables in the Royal Salem lounge just chewing-the fat with people we only see once a year. Our group is often now 8 to 10 strong plus, including a very nice German couple, two Russian Ladies, two Scottish couples and the three of us.

I particularly love taking photographs and take 4/500 every year, playing around with them on my Computer... when I get home.

I cannot think of anywhere else I would now go to relax and I have travelled extensively. I do City breaks at other times of year and my work, takes me now and again to Paris.

If the Changing Ladies are still playing I am sure we will go again.

Tell me more about you highlights...

Cheers
Anthony

Hi Anthony, My Highlights..don't amount to much except during the day to swim and read..in the shade. Visit and stroll around the the Port...stop for a drink and people watch. In the evening we go for a walk after a meal.
And of course before we leave go to see `The Changing Ladies` excellent show at the Caraibe Casino in Sousse.
When I go in May 2010 I shall make a point of checking out the places you mention ie, Sousse and the Medina.
I love Medina's. and in particular those in Marrakesh and Fez....Hope that Im not disappointed with the Medina in Sousse..
What better way to learn more about local customs and practices, by meeting up with staff.
Is the Medina open in the evening and untill what time?
And does the Medina have Cafe's where one can sit and sip sweet mint tea and enjoy the atmosphere?
We often visit the `Hawaii Centre` to spend on goodies!
Must go to watch the `Daily Politics` show... Thanks for the info..which has given me much to think.. about.
I appreciate the time you have taken to enlighten me on the delights of Sousse...I too love going back to Tunisia as you do time and time again.
Regards Patricia.

Hi Patricia

I'm pleased you find it all so relaxing. Exactly what a short break should be. Ours may be a little later next year. One couple cannot come out until 29th September.

Don't know the Hawii Centre or maybe know it by another name. The govt shop in Sousse is the Soula Centre. In the Port we like Oscars and know the staff well. Lots of funny little things.

Please type anytime

All the best
Anthony

Just a quick update. I'm now on my fifth course of antibiotics but at least managed to get my boots on yesterday for my visit to the doctor so things are moving in the right direction. I can't have any alcohol with the tablets so my evening glass of Cedratine will have to wait. I'm also in contact with the insurance company and keeping my fingers crossed.

Hi, Aslemma, good to hear you are making steady progress. Hope you got on o.k. with your insurance. I fortunately didn't have to use mine although I did come home a wee bit battered The day we went on the camels I was told to hold on tight. I never did like heights so my knuckles were almost through my skin with how tightly I was holding on. When we got back, the man who was holding the ropes said we'd come off one at a time with my husband first. When the stupid jerky camel I was on saw his mate sitting down, he didn't wait for the man, he just plonked down, me hanging on like billyo and the rest of my body off the side. Well, I think I must have a cracked rib and have not been able to sleep much or turn in bed as it is aching. Also after taking my mosquito milk with me, there didn't seem to be any around so I didn't bother using it except at night. Well on Tuesday morning it started to rain and I'm sure the only mossie in Tunisia searched me out in the morning in the hotel and what a mess my leg is in . All worth it for the sake of an unforgettable holiday.

Oh poor you Digby. I admit camels aren't my favourite mode of transport having fallen off one in Australia (also when he was getting down) and I kept feeling I was slipping on the beautiful white one I had in the Sahara. I do hope you feel better soon but I don't think it will have put you off Tunisia. Incidentally I always carry Anthrisan cream to help with mosquito bites and anything similar.

Thanks, Aslemma, for another tip for my notebook.

I've been using it for years and never travel without it, as in some places you can't get it without a prescription.

Mmmmmm, bad tempered beasts and the camels aren't much better

First and last experience was with a camel thing in Egypt that spat at me never again.

Temperamental beasts camels. I plan to never go on one again. The first time was a short 'round the block' at the Bedouin night at Balloum. The second a 2 hour or so plod in the desert at Tataouine. Spent the next couple of days walking like John Wayne, after using leg muscles I didn't know I had to cling on for dear life and not get thrown headfirst into the sand each time we stopped and dismounted

have been to the doctor today. Well, was I embarassed when he asked how I hurt myself have now got pills to help the pain at night. First and last time on a camel for me, that's for sure.

Hope the pills work Digby. At least it was probably the first time the doc had heard that explanation and somewhat less embarrassing than saying you had fallen off the bed

Digby , i also went on a camel , hubby wouldn't (scardey cat ), well what smelly animals they are but i must admit i was ok once on it . As i said in a prvious post , i was bitten for the first time by mozzies , but didn't realise had been biten as i didn't itch , and it was my face that was affected , i came up in what were like watery blisters similar to chicken pox , i went to the pharmacy justinside the harbour as you go through the arch , they had a look and prescribed antihistimines and a cream , cost we 16 dinars but worked very well , i have brought it home with me and will carry it with me now for other holidays.

With regard to the new airport, a friend of mine who lives out there says she drove past it a couple of days ago. All the road signs were in, but the road still had a barrier over it. It is meant to be operational sometime this month though. It is just a couple of minutes the other side of Hergla. Incidentally it is to be known as ENFIDHA ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (not a name which trips easily off the tongue )

Hi,

Any idea which airlines are going to be flying there from the UK? Or is it mainly going to be the package charters?

A.

I've just googled and whilst there is a lot of blurb about how wonderful it is going to be there is no indication of which companies will be using it, so it doesn't look too hopeful in the foreseeable future, at least from the UK. Obviously if I get any further info I'll pass it on.

I've just done a bit more sleuthing and it seems we Brits have no cause to get excited. The only airline so far showing flights to Enfidha is Jetairfly, part of the Tui group. The nearest airport for us is Brussels and they will only be flying from April till October. It seems tthat for a while at least he only times we will have the luxury of the new airport is if Monastir is closed for any reason.

Thanks for your investigating Aslemma. I guess I'll be sticking to H'row to Tunis then!