Last day

How quickly the time has gone, and how lovely to have another chance to visit Tunisia. The weather has been wonderful and just what I needed even my post covid cough seems to have eased up  over the last week, which is a blessing in itself.

Last days are always tinged with ' I should have..' I should have done that' 'I should have tried that', I however  have no I should haves, I came, I relaxed, I tanned. That was the purpose of the trip.

Friday dawned grey and rainy which was alright by me , giving my wind burnt bulk a bit of respite.

I decided to go for a walk and clock up some steps.

Out from the hotel, turn left and walk.

Quick trip back in to the Palm Centre for some 'essentials' (more pressies for me) and then I decided to have a walk to the Tour Khalef  the first hotel I stayed in ) via the Mahaba ( next door to  the Tour Khalef and also somewhere that I had stayed). 

I was  amazed by the flora and stopped every few minutes to take photos of the hibiscus, bougainvillea, and various unknown flowers. The knarly old olives that I saw the other day, were starting to form olives on their branches, summer is on the way.

As I walked down toward the hotels I was struck by the amount of buildings that stood in front of them,  when I first came here,  there was nothing  in front of them and over in the distance you could see Khezama a tiny town in the outer reaches of Sousse ( and where my 18th  birthday cake came from). Now Khezama reaches the multi carriageway road  and buildings are right up to the tennis courts of the hotels.

The Marhaba had not changed ( apart from the chain name) and had the obligatory  body scanner at the door before you go in  ( as do all tourist hotels for added security). 

To get to the Tour Khalef  I had to get past a security gate, and then go through  the body scanner ( I think I could be glowing soon) then get past the security team, all for a cup of coffee in the bar, where interestingly people were allowed to smoke! I came out smelling like an ashtray.

It had changed there was a huge fountain at the entrance the old mural along the wall had gone. 

inside the  hotel had the same layout  and had modernised the furnishings etc ( obviously ) but the intricately carved ceilings,walls and marble pillars remained, you'd have to knock it down to replace these. These were the one thing that I remembered  so well from my first visit, the wonderful Islamic carvings

After a coffee, I set off to walk in to Sousse, it was still only 9.30am and raining, however the temperature was super hot and the rain was drying the minute that it hit the ground.

I took a taxi back home after another trip around the souk, I didn't buy anything. And spent the rest of my day dodging showers and watching TV. as well as napping.

As last days go it was just right.

Case was packed and ready to go.

Next stop the airport.