Despite the great silence (and the abundant beer consumption by the campfire), I sleep relatively poorly, mainly because the Thermarest mat I brought has a hole, leaving me lying only on a sensationally comfortable 1.5 cm mat.

After a few nights, I start to feel pain in my right shoulder and my right hand does not get enough circulation, often falling asleep ... Super, softie and bed-spoiled desert driver....🙈

Regarding beer: I believe our supplies are sufficient for four weeks in Africa!! This was expected, thanks to the picture taken while purchasing the 'cartridges', as we will soon call them.

At night and in the morning, it gets cold again, around 4-5 degrees. But then we light a fire with the leftover wood, and Michel's trusty blackened kettle takes on a noble service. The first coffee tastes amazing, especially if enjoyed in the rays of the rising sun, paired with a dune landscape like from the film 'The English Patient', and one forgets EVERYTHING else. A dream.

We are a mixed bunch; three of them grew up together in Hurlach: Michael B., Felix D., and Thomas S.

Time and again, they recount the grand experiences of their youth, which are so funny that they really should be made into a film. Such a movie would be epic!

All three have motocross experience, also in the desert. Michael knows many countries in Africa and is very experienced with cars and motorcycles; he organized the trip as well. His knowledge is outstanding. Even the gas station attendant on the route recognizes him!!

Felix has also seen many tracks in North Africa; he has plenty of travel stories to share and works in the motorcycle field. He also has a lot to say about BMW and his professional activities.

Thomas, our pigeon expert, completes the trio. Linguistically speaking, he is an 'Urbayer', and Occo has severe comprehension issues with his multitude of stories. Thomas rides the only two-stroke machine in the group, skillfully maneuvering his 300 KTM through the dunes like a desert fox.

Joining us is Jörg P. from Garmisch, whom the three only met in the desert last year. Jörg is an old-timer from Garmisch, and his experiences from mountaineering, climbing, and motorcycle riding never fail to impress and make us laugh. He is the fittest among us from climbing, and I find his dry comments and mischievous laughter simply amazing!

We, the three flat trackers Michael M, Occo, and I, Felix, complete the amusing group. Micha also always has a funny anecdote ready, plus the Swabian accent, fantastic!!!

The landscape is varied; we continually traverse dunes, and then come to a more or less larger plain with gravel or stones. We follow a 'track' that, despite the old traces, is sometimes well-defined and at other times not at all.

The Hilux vehicles crawl up the slopes, unbelievable. Sometimes it takes a bit more momentum, which means losing traction before reaching the peak. So, it’s backwards on the opposing slope, then gaining speed towards the crest. However, one must take the gas off immediately or just before, as you don't know what's on the other side.... Occo and I are learning through practice how to drive properly in the dunes!!!

Absolutely essential; air is significantly released from the tires at the beginning of the dunes, so the tire has a larger contact patch. Otherwise, it would never work!!

Even during lunch breaks, we are spoiled by Abdallah and his two boys with pasta salad, couscous, and dates for dessert.

The bread for breakfast is freshly baked in the hot sand!! A fire is lit on the sand, dough made from water, flour, and salt is spread on a cloth to form flatbreads, then the flatbread is placed in the hot sand, covered with a mix of coals/sand, and after ten to fifteen minutes, the bread is ready!!

The sand is simply shaken off with a cloth! Perfect!!!

We quickly get used to the crunching of the sand between our teeth! It is very fine, and by the second day you hardly notice it anymore.

At Mida Mountain, we take a short break in a cafe with cola. Tarek, the man with the big nose, lives here alone and without a vehicle. Behind the hut, scenes resemble an Italian Western.....

In the evening, the camp is set up again, and the first cartridges fizz when opened. A sunset like a dream. The shadows of the dune crests in the evening sun... There are hardly words for it, a beauty that is infinite....

Setting up tents and then collecting wood, enjoying the first beers, then dinner, and afterward a campfire is the typical evening routine. We rarely stay awake for long; Micha from Stuttgart sometimes goes to bed at eight because he is so exhausted.

Without Ibuprofen, it would hardly be manageable for him.

Good night!

I don't even know where to begin. The impressions that have hit us today are hard to put into words. Traveling through this country in your own vehicle gives you a perspective that no travel brochure in the world can offer. It's like traveling through time.

In the evening, another completely bizarre experience: On the highway, pitch black, with a veil of rain, they suddenly appeared – four traffic policemen. Are they chatting there, exchanging their latest experiences?

Contrasts that burn into memory

The journey through the mainland is a rush of images. The road conditions change as quickly as the scenery. On one side, you see beautiful, magnificent houses, and right next to them, abandoned ruins and deteriorating huts. Porsches and old rusty pickups. Mopeds loaded with huge bags.

For what feels like 200km, it's just olive groves next to the highway. The guys at the toll station are selling inflatable airplanes without wings. The first 350km are flat and green.

And then, almost imperceptibly, the transformation begins. First, the olive trees become less frequent. The green gives way to a dusty beige. The houses become smaller, the huts more sparse. The sand cautiously creeps up to the roadside, taking over the color scheme. Eventually, it's just beige-brown. While it initially rains, the sum of everything comes out and it gets warm, but the wind is still cool.

We stop in a small town to get something to eat; across the intersection, two policemen stand with assault rifles, traffic control or something similar. By the way, Tunisia has been in a state of emergency for over ten years! The sandwich/dough roll tastes great! Then buy some water, and head to the gas station. The attendant with the eunuch voice recognizes Michel from last time and is happy...

Then it’s into the mountains, winding roads, mountain villages, simple houses, donkeys standing in the yard.

Houses carved into the rock – you can literally see how the people have wrested their living space from nature.

The gateway to infinity: The beginning of the desert

And suddenly it's there: The moment when the desert takes over. It's mesmerizing.

Wind that is getting warmer, and you slowly realize: We are really here now, the car in front of us is leaving a trail of sand behind, small dunes are licking the road, two dromedaries suddenly cross right in the middle of nowhere.

Then the arrival in Ksar-Ghilane, an oasis at a warm spring. Palm trees, water, green, we stop, it’s just past sundown. Michael and I walk out, 100m in the sand, but this isn't sand, this is brown powder!! We stand there, the sun illuminating the dunes in an absolutely magical light. Incredible, this sight! Unbelievable. We are in the Sahara.

You get a completely different impression of a country when you experience it this way. It's no longer just a vacation destination – it's a way of life that is completely captivating us right now.

7 in the sand – now it's true.

Guys, let me tell you: The crossing was... enduring. You have this romantic image of a boat ride in your head, but the reality is: The journey just doesn't end. Eventually, you've seen every deck three times, greeted every wave personally, and even the beer and Johnny Walker can't make time fly any faster. You're stuck while the horizon refuses to come closer. But a beautiful sundown on deck. And the Café au Lait was top notch!! And the sun did warm us up for a bit.

Finally: mainland! But anyone who thinks you just roll off the ramp and hit the gas has underestimated Tunisian customs. Pure chaos. Papers here, stamps there... But okay, this too shall pass.

Then the next shock: Rain in Africa? Seriously?

Outside, the next surprise: It's pouring. Buckets. We came for the Sahara and feel like it’s November in Sauerland. The ride to Hotel Yasmine in Nabeul was a wet affair, visibility was poor...

When we finally arrive completely exhausted at midnight at the hotel, the letdown: The kitchen is closed. The dreamt-of lavish meat platter? Canceled. Instead, there was the 'athlete's version': Two bottles of Tunisian red wine. That was all we could get. But hey, after the day, the wine tastes like a five-course meal.

The rooms? Ice cold. But then the bright spot of the day: The heating works!

The biggest relief: I do NOT have to cuddle with Michel in the narrow double bed! Everyone has their own realm (or at least enough space) to sprawl into the blankets. No, I was in a sleeping bag.

And earplugs are worth their weight in gold. Michael pulls out the chainsaw a minute after lying down..... 😂

Now it’s time: Close your eyes, let the red wine work its magic, and hope that tomorrow the sun has understood the concept of 'Tunisia.'

Good night from Nabeul – 7 in the Sand

On the second day, I'm already searching for the Medina (old town) with its thousands of stalls. The Medina is said to be one of the largest in the Islamic world, surrounded by walls. In 1988, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its beautiful Islamic architecture.

I barely walk half of the approximately four-kilometer walk when Salim greets me on the street as an "old friend" and says he saw me at the hotel. I sense trouble 😈😂! However, since I'm not completely unprepared and don't exactly know where this "Medina" is located, I accept his offer to show me the Medina and the old town festival on his day off. Spice traders line up next to leather shops, jewelry stores, and suppliers of "original" Nike, Adidas, and Sketchers sneakers and textiles at bargain prices 😂.

He leads me straight into one of three guaranteed state-certified shops (😈🔫) - here, a shop with custom-made leather jackets... Even Salim's German greeting to the shopkeeper is intended to show him: he's German and you know how to address him. Of course, I swear I don't want to buy anything. But somehow I'm Salim's best friend (😈😂) and therefore part of the family... He doesn't care at all that I don't want to buy anything 🤣. He shows me leather jackets, and secretly I have to admit that the lambskin leather is really top quality - no junk. Just don't show interest, otherwise you're lost!! I'm lucky (😂), this day was the last day he would offer a 30% discount (😂🙈), so quick calculations in my pocket calculator turn 4600 Tunisian dinars (1500 euros) into only 3200 dinars (1050 euros) 🤣

I won't keep you in suspense - my sacred promise as a small retiree not to be able to afford such a jacket comes to an end after half an hour and his outrageous efforts at a price of 400 dinars (125 euros) 🤣🤣🤣 - I think the good piece is worth it, as you definitely can't get this quality for that price in our country 😂🙈 He certainly still earns something from it... I can already tell you that I wear the good piece often and gladly...

Afterwards, Salim drags me to a jewelry store (also state-certified - recognizable by a certificate in Arabic script, which could also be a menu 😅) and a spice trader, and realizes that there's nothing more to get out of me, so he quickly says goodbye - but not without squeezing out another 40 dinars for his needy family 😈 (didn't he say an hour ago that he didn't have a family??). It's worth it to me, he invested two hours of his time, and the equivalent of 12 euros is more than a normal day's earnings for him. The average salary of a waiter is 150-200 euros per month, about 9 euros per day!

The day after tomorrow, I visit the Medina again, but this time I take more time. My uncertainty regarding the knowledge of the third largest city in Tunisia has disappeared, and I can enjoy this huge labyrinth of the daily market, partly covered in tunnels. In the end, I visit the fish market. I have never seen freshly caught squid in this size! In the last few meters, I also come across a butcher who offers various types of meat at his stand. The German health department would have a fit. Refrigeration? Non-existent!

I'm becoming a bit of a Tunisia fan in these two weeks. Surely it's because the mentality of the people is much more "relaxed". When I watch people at work, there's never any rush. Everyone does what they're supposed to do. Slowly. Deliberately.

Investing a 10 dinar banknote as a tip in the first few days doesn't really hurt us. For the staff, it's a lot of money and they appreciate it with dedicated service! In the second week, I give another tip.

I noticed that locals still wear long-sleeved jackets despite an outdoor temperature of -pleasant for me- 22 degrees. They think it's cold 😂🙈. The majority wears black, for whatever reason. Could it be because of Ramadan?

It's a bit annoying that as a tourist, you're inevitably recognized and constantly approached. Maintaining eye contact with locals in crowded places is stressful - someone constantly thinks you need a taxi or a tour guide. I can't stop saying "no" and waving my hand 🙈 - it's just annoying. When I'm approached, I simply don't react.

You quickly get used to Tunisian traffic: there are traffic rules, but no one follows them. It's a chaotic hustle and bustle of too many cars, all taking each other's right of way somehow. Honking is always an option. As a pedestrian, you just start crossing the street, no one voluntarily stops. Despite the traffic, I haven't seen many dented cars and haven't witnessed any accidents. So everything somehow works out 🤷🏻‍♂️😅 Tunisians are extremely friendly. Well, maybe not always selfless (they often want only the best for us... 😇), but that's not any different in other countries either. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I find it pleasant that you don't need a visa for Tunisia. And the quality of the water is probably much better compared to Egypt. What annoys me more are hotel guests who apply European standards and complain about small things 🤦‍♂️, ignoring the price-performance ratio!

During my two-week stay, I get used to taking a multi-hour tour on foot at least every other day, averaging 10-12 km. Often off the beaten tourist paths - getting to know the country and its people. It's tiring, but I'm not on vacation, I'm on a journey. So I don't feel too guilty in the evening at the buffet.

The positive impressions outweigh the negatives. I will gladly come back. But with less luggage. The quick washing of clothes worked so well that you can easily get by with three sets of underwear, T-shirts, and socks.

Best regards,

Michael, April 2023

We spent our first vacation together in August 2015 in Djerba.

It was Jannik's first flight. Actually, he didn't want to fly, but what wouldn't you do when you're freshly in love? At that time, he didn't know how often he would fly in the coming years.">

Right from the start - our first vacation was a typical all-inclusive beach vacation. Now ten days of just beach, shopping, and eating would probably be too unspectacular for us, but it was definitely the perfect first vacation. For anyone who wants to spend a few relaxed and romantic days, I can definitely recommend Djerba.

In August, it was insanely hot. As soon as you left the air-conditioned room, you were drenched in sweat.

Accordingly, our daily routine was also shaped. Breakfast, then splashing around in the warm sea, lunch, and then splashing around again or going shopping in the city.

First, let's talk about the beach:

The beach was great. Beautiful sand that was so hot that you were glad if you didn't have blisters on your feet, and clear, blue sea. One day we had 48°C. Since we were there shortly after the 2015 attack in Djerba, there were not only camels and merchants on the beach, but also armed soldiers on beach buggies and quads. Personally, I didn't mind. The only time I found the whole thing a bit strange was when Jannik came back from jogging and told me that two armed men in civilian clothing had approached him. He didn't understand them and just kept running. Nothing happened and we still don't know exactly what the intention of the two was, but somehow that stuck in my memory.

Our hotel was right on the beach. We could have dinner with a view of the sea and enjoy the truly breathtaking starry sky. I will never forget that sky!

Aside from the hotels, Djerba wasn't particularly beautiful. Blue plastic bags were lying around everywhere. Some hotel employees told us that waste disposal was a problem there. Too bad.

Excursions:

My personal highlight was horseback riding on the beach. Partly on a camel, partly on a horse. Considering that Jannik initially refused to get on the horse (he fell off a horse as a little child), he did very well. Unlike the other men in our group, he had the horse somewhat under control. 🐎

Other than that, we spent several hours in the city or at the market. Very interesting, but also very exhausting. Anyone who has been to Turkey, for example, knows how aggressive and pushy the merchants can be. Since there were fewer tourists on Djerba after the attack, the inhibition threshold of the merchants was even lower than I was used to.

But you have to be prepared for that in general. Don't get ripped off! Luckily, my boyfriend is ice-cold when it comes to bargaining, unlike me, who would probably buy any crap.

Conclusion: If you want a relaxed beach vacation, Djerba is a perfect and affordable destination that is not too far away.

Mon premier voyage en Tunisie en mars 2016.
J'ai rencontré beaucoup de personnes incroyables et je voulais partager ma première impression avec vous. Les photos ont été prises à Tunis (capitale) et lors de mon voyage vers le sud.

Dans la deuxième partie, je suis retourné en Tunisie en été 2016 avec ma sœur et un ami afin de découvrir d'autres endroits comme Hammamet et Sousse. Nous avons profité de notre temps à la plage et sommes allés à un mariage ensemble.

Tunisia: the Second Time

From Frankfurt, we headed towards Djerba. When we arrived there, the weather was beautiful. That's how it should be! The airport was also much less busy here than in Tunis. But that may also be because of the early hour at which we arrived. So, after landing, everything went pretty quickly. Immigration, picking up luggage, and then having it brought to the hotel. This time the way there wasn't very far either. Djerba is not very big.

Actually, there's not much to tell about this vacation. Unfortunately, we didn't go on any excursions. There would have been a few interesting ones, but because Luke felt unsure due to the tense situation, which did not exist during our first vacation in Tunisia, we didn't go on a single excursion but spent the entire week just in the hotel. So, I will have to limit myself to telling a little bit about the hotel, otherwise I will let the pictures do most of the talking.

Our Room

What do you do first after arriving? Of course, settle in the room. They were really big and super clean. The only thing that bothered me a little was the location on the ground floor. Well, it doesn't bother me that much, but Luke prefers it when the room is on a higher floor. He feels more comfortable that way.

Hotel Facility

The facility itself was really nice. Since the hotel had just opened, everything looked very fresh and modern. Of course, there was also the pool as part of the facility. Or rather, the pools. The hotel had two. A quiet pool and a large main pool. But it was generally quite peaceful in the hotel because - attention - it was an adults-only hotel and there were no children here! To our great delight :D The animation was also very discreet. You hardly noticed anything of it. So, no loud music echoing throughout the complex.

The Beach

One very important thing: the beach! It was quite nice, but unfortunately often dirty with algae. We didn't have that in Sousse back then, the beach was a bit nicer there. But otherwise, it was wonderfully quiet, the beach chairs had plenty of distance between them, and from time to time, you could see a camel walking along the beach. However, what was misleading was the constant wind. Because of that, it was quite pleasant to stay in the sun, and despite using a lot of sunscreen, we were punished with a deadly sunburn. That's why even today I still have a light patch on my back where my skin peeled. Luke's nose eventually burst open from sunburn, even though we mostly stayed in the shade. Yes, I know, not very healthy!

Food

We spent most of the time lying on the beach or by the pool, and eating. Another very important thing in an all-inclusive hotel. The food at the hotel was really good. The buffet restaurant was very diverse, and what I also loved was that there was a corner with local cuisine! Very delicious, we indulged in it very often. There was also fresh grilled fish often. I don't eat fish, but Luke enjoyed it. There was also an à la carte restaurant that we were allowed to visit once during our stay. The menu, translated into German and English, was really interesting. Too bad we didn't take a photo of all the funny translations, but we had a lot of fun with them! :D The food at the restaurant was okay, but it could have been better. I don't have many photos here, these were taken while eating on the terrace there:

Evening Entertainment

The evening entertainment was also taken care of. It took place on the terrace above the pool and sometimes it was rather bad than good, but we also had fun with the nice singer who unintentionally interpreted songs like 'Killing me softly' differently :D But the acrobats were not bad either.

A rather unpleasant topic

Two days before our return flight, the attack in Sousse happened at a hotel not far from the one where we spent our first vacation in Tunisia. And even right next to the hotel where a friend of mine also spent her vacation two years ago. This just showed that something bad like this can happen to anyone. Our phones were buzzing that day, even though we were far away from the events on the mainland. We assured our families that we were okay. After all, we would soon be returning home. I have to admit that we spent our last day of vacation in a somewhat somber mood. How could we still enjoy our vacation when just a short distance away, people had died on the beach where we had vacationed a few years ago? And all of this through an act of pure violence and hatred... I probably don't need to mention the police presence on the beach now. When we flew back the next day, the plane was almost full, almost overcrowded, as everyone wanted to go back home. We arrived there safely as well.

Conclusion

Despite the rather unpleasant ending, we had a great time at the Sensimar Palm Beach Palace. The hotel is really great! Good food, a beautiful facility, great pools, and most importantly, tranquility. In all-inclusive hotels, it can often be quite noisy and bustling, but that was not the case here. We had a whole week of peace and relaxation. But: I would never spend a whole week on vacation again without going on a single excursion! It may be nice for a few days, but for a whole week, it was quite boring. Eventually, I just didn't feel like lying around all day and doing nothing. I also have to admit that we really overdid it with the eating (and that's exactly what it was). I won't mention how much weight we gained after the week :D But the food was just too good ;)

As our one-week holiday in Tunisia comes to an end, we are enjoying the last few moments on the beach. Luckily, there was a beach party on our last evening. Tables and chairs were set up on the beach, cocktails were served, and music was playing.

For our second excursion during our Tunisia vacation, we decide to go camel riding. Somehow, it seemed like something we should do while we're here.

A funny bus ride

So, we were picked up by the bus again, which first stopped at other hotels to pick up more guests. So, we patiently waited at each hotel until more guests got on. When we drove into the yard of one of the hotels, we noticed the fancy straw hat that we had already seen on the jeep tour from a distance. Yes, the people from Dresden were back! The father greeted us directly with a loud 'Oh, I lost my heart in Heidelberg!', so that the whole bus could hear it - and in the best East German dialect that he had to offer! So far, so good. The excursion could only get better ;D

Camels

Arrived at the starting point of our ride, a caravan of camels was already waiting for us.

So we rode along, through a landscape covered in cacti. Quite a wobbly affair. Camels are not called 'desert ships' for nothing. You can quickly get seasick here! Sounds stupid, but it's true.

Our destination was again a farm where we also had something to eat. There, you also had the opportunity to have a few photos taken of yourself while feeding the camels.

This tour was more what I would call a typical tourist excursion. Nevertheless, I enjoyed riding the camel. I think I wouldn't necessarily need to do it again. Just because of the animals alone.

Of course, in the first few days, we took the time to explore the hotel extensively. We had booked the Marhaba Beach Hotel, a mid-range hotel located directly on the beach. The first impression was quite good, everything seemed clean, and the staff was friendly. We couldn't complain about our room either. Everything was clean and of sufficient size. However, the highlight was the view. Right on the wonderful sea! This allowed us to get into the holiday spirit right away.

Of course, we were particularly looking forward to one thing: the beach! We spent most of our days at the hotel there. We definitely couldn't complain. All the loungers there had comfortable cushions and were placed at a sufficient distance from each other, so there was no lack of privacy. All in all, I was quite impressed with the beach. The first time is always something special.

However, one thing that was slightly annoying was all the beach vendors who were very pushy. Beach walks were out of the question. We tried it once and were immediately hounded by several vendors who put their hats on us, put their jewelry on us, or simply handed us various things and of course demanded money from us. Until today, I wonder where exactly these people thought we were keeping our money, only dressed in swim trunks and bikinis. I can think of a few hiding places, but I don't think they would want to accept this money.... Anyway, we stopped trying the beach walk after the first time.

Once, I dared to go jet skiing, for which I had to leave the designated beach area of the hotel. Luke wasn't interested, but I really wanted to give it a try and went alone. On the way back, I was approached directly by an older Tunisian man. Where I come from, what my name is, and if I wanted to swim with him... I was pretty relieved when I was back on the hotel beach where no one could bother me anymore.

Catering

What is one of the most important things in an all-inclusive vacation? Right, the food! The hotel had two restaurants, one on the beach, where lunch was served, and one restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Obviously, the restaurant had too few tables, so you had to sit together with completely strangers at one table during dinner, which I really consider a no-go! Through this, we did get to know a nice couple from Bavaria with whom we even spent some evenings together (despite the age difference!), but when having dinner with your partner, you do want a little privacy.

The food itself was good, the buffet rather manageable, but we always had enough to eat ;) However, what we missed were typical Tunisian dishes. The cuisine was more continental. The only thing that was truly typical of the country was the dessert. Although I have a sweet tooth, some of it was a bit too sweet for me ;)

Now it's Mini Disco time!

What is worth mentioning for me personally is the evening entertainment. Every evening, there was an evening program to entertain the guests, preceded by a so-called mini disco so that the children could have fun too. In any case, the mini disco every evening was always accompanied by a very catchy melody that has stuck in our heads to this day. Maybe some of you know what I'm talking about ;) Several years later, this melody would haunt us all the way to the other side of the world, but I'll save that story for another time :D

Since we are not hotel loungers and also want to see and experience something, we decided to book two tours through the organizer. Excursion number 1 took us with the jeep into the Tunisian countryside. And I have to say, for a guided tour booked through the organizer, it was really great! We were a small group of about 10 people, divided into two jeeps, and got really great insights into the culture. No mass tourism!

Germans on tour!

In addition to us, there were two families in the group. One with two children, one with one child. In retrospect, we were a very German travel group. The children of family no. 1 complained the whole time, the mother seemed as if she would die from heatstroke at any moment. The father of family no. 2, who came from near Dresden, was a bit annoying with his loud voice and extremely chic straw hat. Yes, we Germans can't be overlooked even on vacation!

Let the journey begin!

The excursion first took us to a small town typical of Tunisia. There we took a walk and admired the white-blue houses, which looked particularly beautiful in combination with the pink flowers! In addition, there was a mosque and a cemetery to see.

After a short walk around the village, our guide showed us how to write our names in Arabic over a cup of tea before we headed back to the hotel.

Conclusion

The jeep tour was really worth it! We had a wonderful day with many impressions and memories and were pleasantly surprised.

First Problems

Next up was our next trip in August 2013. Our first beach - and all-inclusive vacation took us to Sousse, Tunisia. At that time, we consciously chose an all-inclusive vacation because we were still completely inexperienced in terms of travel (yes, it's been a long time :D). This seemed to be the easiest way to experience a bit of beach feeling without having to worry about much. However, we already had some problems with the booking, as originally we had booked a trip to Egypt. However, the riots started there at exactly that time and since Luke didn't feel very comfortable about it, we rebooked. The travel agency suggested Tunisia as an alternative and the decision was made.

Packed suitcase and off we go!

So in August we flew from Frankfurt to Tunisia for a week. I was very excited because this was my first beach vacation ever. I had never experienced anything like sun, beach, and sea before, so I was very curious about what to expect. The flight went smoothly. However, I had never experienced the chaos that awaited us at the airport in Tunis! Well, that's not necessarily a high standard to compare to, as at that time I hadn't traveled much yet :D But it should remain the most chaotic airport I have ever experienced (closely followed by Heraklion, but that's another story ;)). The departure hall at the airport was overcrowded with people trying to enter. No organized queues, just pushing and shoving in one big crowd. I was not used to that from the organized Germany ;) It was also uncomfortable that there was no air conditioning in the hall given the heat there (which I was also not used to). After a few hours of pushing and squeezing, we finally managed to enter Tunisia. The hotel transfer went pretty smoothly. The tour guide was already waiting for us in the waiting area, we were loaded onto a large tour bus and after a three-hour drive, we were dropped off at the hotel. That's how it goes with package tours.

Yes, you heard that right. Just because we had booked a package tour didn't mean that we would spend the entire week only at the hotel. It was clear to us from the beginning that we also wanted to take some trips. So we booked a jeep tour into the hinterland and camel riding through the tour operator. If you want to know how we liked the tours, just read my sequel :) I will also report extensively on the hotel!