Tunisia Update

Photo I took of a ceiling in the Bardo Museum 2012

Protesters from Tunisia against the attack at Bardo Museum
courtesy of Demotix

I started thinking about my day trip to Tunisia on a Holland America ship in 2012 last week when my niece announced she was going to Djerba Island, Tunisia, for her honeymoon. I was happy for her but extremely nervous. I had not been to Djerba, but I visited the capital of Tunisia, Tunis. For all its good, even in 2012, there was a lot of bad. I thought the people I met were lovely, cultured, kind and smiling. They are a beautiful group, the Tunisians. 

People taking photographs at the Bardo Museum in 2012

This is the way I remember the Bardo, with lovely groups of people strolling and taking photographs. We were a small group and the museum is huge. Part was closed off and I do remember it was really a hassle to get in. We had a group reservation but the place was locked down tight with padlocks. They only let in small groups at a time and we had to wait our turn. There was a lot of military presence everywhere.

Hostages being held at the Bardo Museum

This is how it looked a few days ago, when 19 people, mostly tourist lost their lives to a group of terrorists.

I remember really enjoying our day in Tunisia. I did the full-day tour "Best of Tunisia" from the ship. It was intensive, with a visit to the Bardo Museum, a visit to the Souk (market), Carthage, lunch and a visit to Sidi Bou Said. It was a long day but a great day. Our guide was very educated and kind. He was worldly and had just visited Cozumel, the island where I live, a few weeks before. But at the end of the day, I was glad to go back to the safety of the ship. It just didn't feel like a place I would feel comfortable spending the night. 

Shop in Sidi Bou Said

I had told my niece last week I thought she should really reconsider going to Djerba Island, due to the unrest in Tunisia, and this was before the killlings. Now she is contacting her travel agent and we will see. I am sorry for the lovely people of Tunisia. I am so sad for the people and their families who lost their lives in this tragic event. My niece even brought up how could the people on the ships even go on the rest of their holiday after having this happen to others on their ship. Good point. Prayers sent out. Stay safe and let's keep our eye on Tunisia and hope it improves. 

Some Great Architectural Features of Tunis

Chandelier in Tunis

Floor of the Bardo Museum

Ceiling of the Bardo Museum

A few of the beautiful people of Tunis

Wall detail at Bardo in Tunis

Four months after my return from Tunis, I realize that I got to see some great architectural details. Tunis is one of those places if you can take the good and leave the rest, you will love it.  

Also, I found the people very attractive. They are also extremely polite, a bit shy and smile a lot. For the size of Tunis, the city is very friendly.

Sidi Bou Said

Our guide with the no. 3 in his hand

Lots of tourists of all nationalities

Sidi Bou Said souvenirs

Sidi Bou Said postcards

Sidi Bou Said decorative plates

Sidi Bou Said camel souvenirs

Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia is supposed to be an artist colony. I found it very colorful but more of a tourist trap. It still was great though, if you can get over all the people trying to lure you to their stalls. The difference is in Tunisia if somebody asks for a price, the supposition is that you want to buy the item, and that you are now in the negotiating phase of the deal. Unfortunately us Americans didn't realize this until far too late. Once I asked for a price, the young gentleman followed me down the street reducing the price until I almost had to run away from him. I honestly was just curious how much something cost. I really didn't want to buy it. Honestly, I can't even remember now what "it" was. 

Just a word of advice, if you find yourself in Sidi Bou Said, don't ask for a price unless you really want to buy the item. It may even be some kind of insult to then walk away. But go ... it is a fun place. The people are pushy, but in a smiley and fun-loving sort of way.

More information on Sidi Bou Said can be found here

Tunis: Rue de La Kasba

Rue de La Kasba

Our tour group from the Holland America Eurodam took an early morning stroll along Rue de la Kasba by the Medina at Tunis. It was quiet, almost nobody about. The only thing we heard was the sound of a few shopkeepers moving display cases around, and we smelled the ever present aroma of dust and cigarettes. 

Ever present beautiful blue doors

Minaret of Al-Zaytuna Mosque

Our group

Our feet ... could not resist!

I love how the street signs are in Arabic and French. The name of the street is also a great combo ... Rue de la ... Kasba. More information on this lovely area can be found here.

More of Tunisia

Police enjoying breakfast in front of the Medina at Tunis

I thoroughly enjoyed our stop at Tunis while on the Med Glamour cruise. I have heard others say it is dirty and crowded, and even though it is, the people are lovely and the country is fascinating. Information on the Medina of Tunis can be found on Wikipedia here. We arrived early on a Sunday morning. The government offices are covered with barb wire as they had a revolution only a year or so ago. The police presence was strong, except it was a pretty laid back affair, with the policemen enjoying a breakfast of fried meat in pita bread around a cart. Reminded me of the breakfast taco stands in Cozumel.

Tunis architecture

Blue doors of Tunis

The architecture of Tunis is amazing, with beautiful blue and yellow doors. The stonework is also quite impressive. The homes in the Medina area are some of the most expensive of the country.


Also don't miss the Bardo Museum. It was undergoing a move that I believe had been going on for a while. I snapped a few photos of the local people, really beautiful. I especially liked the one of this little boy.

Adorable boy at Bardo Museum

More information on visiting Tunis can be found here.

Tunisia: Worth a Look

Wall detail in Tunisia

On my cruise of the Western Med from Rome to Rome, one of our stops was Tunisia. I had heard varying comments from not worth getting off to the best port on the cruise. Since the cruise was full of awesome ports, I don't think I can say that it was my favorite spot, but I can say that I liked it and that is was the most exotic place we went. It is a Muslim country, but the people drink wine. It is mostly laid back with bothersome vendors, so I felt right at home. Cozumel is the same.


I did the Best of Tunisia tour, which was probably too much. If I ever go back, I would like to do a more extensive ruins tour, and I refused to go up for the Turkish rug presentation. I am allergic to wool, and I could feel the sneezing coming on when I hit the stairs. But the shop owner chit chatted with me while the presentation was being made, and I liked the people. They were heartfelt and warm.

Hat making demonstration in the Medina of Tunis

We went to the Bardo Museum, the Souk of the Medina (basically the Market), Carthage ruins and had a great lunch at what seemed to be a country club. The president of Palestine was at the Bardo when we first arrived, so our guide took us to the Medina before most of the shops were opened, and then we returned to the Bardo. It was a great way to see the Souk without all the crowds. Finally, we went to Sidi Bou Said, a village with blue and white houses. That felt like the tourist trap to me, but the houses were interesting. 

Shop in the Medina of Tunisia

Friends I met on the Best of Tunisia tour

I met a great couple on this tour that I spent time with throughout the cruise. Thanks for the great memories, Mee Len and Spencer.

Camels at the port of La Goulette

I will report more on each of the spots we visited. But I want to say, do not shy away from Tunisia. After just going through a war, they need the business and it is really interesting. To me, the people make the place and I liked the people of Tunisia. Our guide was especially nice.

Guide at Tunis