Text: Peter Johansson
Editing: Christer Lundstedt
Photos: Christer Lundstedt, Peter Johansson
Videos: Christer Lundstedt
Friday 4th of January
08.12 It is Friday morning here at Hotel Esplanade in Monastir. The waves continue to roll in outside. At least it sounds like it. The curtains are closed, so we can't see anything yet.
08.56 The thing with travelling is fun and positive but sometimes it wears and tears on us. The bodies are slightly out of order. Christer might have caught a cold. He feels tired and possibly has some fever. Today we are supposed to make a small excursion to the south. I hope we have enough strength and energy for what we have planned.
09.44 The elderly gentleman in the hat here at the hotel is caring about us. He arranged with breakfast consisting of coffee, bread and juice. He asks about how we are doing, how we slept, whether everything is fine and more. We are probably the only guests here right now so we get some extra attention.
10.47 Only 2 % remains until Christer's cellphone is fully charged. We are now about to see more of Monastir to begin with. We might, if we feel better, go on that planned excursion later.
11.14 We have checked times to and from a possible day trip destination, Mahdia. A train departs at
12.25 and one goes back at, wait, there seems to be no train going back. Stop again, there are some trains, among others at 15.45, 16.20 and 17.05.
13.59 It has been market day today. The streets closest to the railway station are full of vehicles, people and stalls selling various goods. The people in the stalls are packing down whatever they couldn't sell today. It is less easy for us to find some place that can serve us lunch. We first walked to Dar El Mehdi but there we found only menus for beverages and some staff did not appear. We left again.
17.14 Once again we and our train are approaching Monastir. Are bodies have noticed this day's walking.
Saturday 5th of January
We are walking along the outer wall at Monastir medina.
Waiting at the railway station in Monastir.
Our train has reached its final destination Mahdia.
A cold windy day in Mahdia.
When we arrived to Mahdia the Friday market was already over.
The Fatimid mosque in Mahdia.
Peter is sitting down at Café El Médina.
We are waiting to make our orders. On TV it´s football, Huddersfield vs Burnley.
Café El Médina´s own special crêpes was today´s lunch.
Flowers in January.
Typical street in central Mahdia.
A nice pedestrian path around the town.
A cat is enjoying the winter sun.
Warning for some kind of works going on.
The sea is aggressive today.
At the tip of Cap Africa.
A football field at Cap Africa.
The train back to Monastir is waiting for us.
Peter is having dinner at the restaurant Viking.
Falling backwards in a bed.
Adding some heat in our room.
08.11 A cold wind blows into the room; the windows do not really keep the cold out. Some kind of cold is air coming in. It's a good thing our AC bring heat. We have set it to +32 C degrees, which were the highest we could go.
09.17 The first meal of the day is approaching. It will be the last at this hotel. What awaits at the breakfast table today? 10.06 On the breakfast table there were two slices of sponge cake, two cookies, white bread and two kinds of marmalade. We asked for coffee and after a little wait go two cups. After breakfast we have had some lobby business. We surfed a little on the internet down in the lobby. In the room there is no great speed on the connection. USA will face Finland in the final of the ice hockey Junior World Championship. 11.28 We will soon go out into the sunshine and the fresh air. In an hour, we'll also be on the train north towards Tunis. 11.57 With a wish for a happy day and journey we left Hotel Esplanade Beach. Now we sit in the warm sun on a platform based stone bench. 12.18 Our first attempt to enter the first class passenger compartment failed. We were not able to push the door to the passenger compartment aside. We got out of the wagon and got in the other way instead.
We are back in Tunis and the clocktower on Avenue Habib Bourguiba.
We are waiting for the local train to Sidi Bou Said.
12.38 Several other passengers have tried to open the sliding door with the same lack of success. We're on our way.
13.30 About ten minutes late, we´ve reached the station in Sousse. 14.39 One of the co-passengers, a man with a crutch who stepped on in Sousse, is very eager to talk to us. He puffs at us, points and talks, begs for money and more. He points at almost every residential area and says Hammamet. If he wants to tell us about the resort of Hammamet or wants to tell us that he comes from there is unclear. I think there's reason to question his mental status. 14.50 I gave the man a pen before he got off in Bir Bou Rekba. He asked to borrow one but then considered it a souvenir. During the trip, someone from Tunisia has been trying to call me. However, I interrupted the talks. 16.06 We are back in Tunis and at Big Coffee, the café we visited twice before. We'll stop here before we move on. We have ordered coffee and ham and cheese sandwiches. We need a snack. It's going to be a while before dinner. 17.10 Soon the last trackbound journey here in Tunisia will begin. In Zagreb's slalom competition which has just ended, it was as usual victory for the United States skier Mikaela Shiffrin. We followed the race on the cell phone during the coffee break. 17.32 We are approaching the final stop on this trip. It darkens outside. We're going with a local train from Tunis Marine Station.
Peter in the room at Dar El Fell.
There is art everywhere at Dar el Fell.
17.51 It is for enlightenment purposes not so enlightened at the stations and therefore difficult to see where we are. However, the blue dot in Google Maps solved it all. We have now got off at the station in Sidi Bou Said. Now we move on to the booked accommodation, Dar El Fell.
18.06 It was a long steep uphill from the station along the cozy streets here in Sidi Bou Said. This is artistic neighbourhood and very popular among tourists. Unfortunately, the accommodation is locked. I'll call the number on the booking paper and also above the door. 18.25 My call was answered and soon our hostess came and let us in. It was her that called me earlier today. Now she has shown us to our room and given us the necessary facts about the stay here. The whole Dar El Fell is like an art gallery. There are paintings everywhere. 18.57 Now we are also checked in on the flight with Lufthansa tomorrow night. However, we do not get boarding passes. They're to be picked up at the airport. To Frankfurt I sit at 22A and Christer at 22B. To Stockholm I have 28C and Christer 28B. 19.47 Electronics is not our friend. We can't find any channels on our TV. As for the AC, it is insisting on not releasing any air hotter than +20 C.
Peter is visiting the restaurant Tam Tam.
Darkness has arrived in Sidi Bou Said.
Tunis city lights at the horizon.
20.11 We can stay here in the room and eventually even sleep, but then we will get really hungry. This may be corrected. We're going out on a little evening walk to find a restaurant and hopefully also buy some beverages to bring back to the room.
20.56 We found no suitable eatery along the main street, only luxury restaurants or closed restaurants. We instead made it down to the roundabout near the local train station. We are at the restaurant Tam Tam. (http://www.tamtamsidibou.com) We will soon order what we are going to eat. Soon we'll be home cooking our own food again. 22.28 Good evening! It was a good dinner at Tam Tam. We're back in our room. Is it warmer now in here or maybe we've gotten used to it?
Sunday 6th of January
08.37 Tonight, while we were asleep, the Young Lions, Finnish juniors, became world champion in ice hockey. For our part, we have some different things to do during the day before we fly to the north tonight.
09.44 We shall now, after a morning at a slow pace, set ourselves in motion. I hope this can be said in 24 hours from now as well. Dar El Fell doesn't serve breakfast. We are referred to one of the nearby cafes outside. 10.01 Before we leave our luggage and check out, we should take a look at the recommended roof terrace upstairs. 10.16 It was quiet up on the roof. We admired the beautiful views of the calm sea. Just this morning, the sun broke through the clouds with a few rays and it was an amazing light phenomenon. 10.45 Our last breakfast orders on this trip will be for one Urban Breakfast each at Keens Café. Unfortunately, it's raining today. It does not bother us now, but it does concern us with our plans for the day. Upon check-out and leaving luggage we were told that the room was paid via Booking.com. There's nothing I've noticed on my bank account this far anyway. 11.34 First we got the wrong bill on the payment but everything worked out. We just bought a train ticket each to Carthage (the station Carthage Hannibal).
Christer on the roof terrace.
Fantastic light show over the bay of Tunis.
Views of the rooftops in Sidi Bou Said.
The roof terrace at Dar El Fell.
The boat harbour in Sidi Bou Said.
Peter is leaving our home.
11.43 After a short trip, we have now got off the train at Carthage Hannibal station, towards the historical sites!
12.03 Not a single ancient monument in sight so far. We have been walking in the direction of the Carthage museum but so far only experienced an annoying taxi driver. He definitely wanted us to go with him. Wait, there might be something up ahead. 12.05 Out in the grass stands some kind of remains. I don't know who left that. Probably, these are the remnants of some kind of construction. We don't have enough time to settle into a museum today. We had instead hoped to walk past the scattered remains of Carthage here in the area. It turns out that it is far between each place, almost impossible to cover it on foot. Besides, it's raining again. 12.23 May it be that we have managed to miss everything worth seeing? We are now standing down by the sea at the remains called Magon. Here there are ruins after a city settlement from the time of Phoenicians. Possibly there are even ruins after a few thermae (baths) here. 12.40 There will be no baths for us. Instead, we walk home. At least we had time to take pictures and make a short movie down by Magon. 13.19 We were finally back in Sidi Bou Said. During the long walk we passed the residence of the president. Let's take a bench break in a park. Next, we will look for a restaurant near where we live. 13.53 The restaurants that were close to the accommodation were closed, simple and cheap or way too expensive. We have, in order not to distract us in time and space, gone back to Tam Tam where we had dinner yesterday. On the way here, we've seen a car for newlyweds.
The main street leading through Sidi Bou Said.
Nice atmosphere in Sidi Bou Said.
A beautiful door, what is behind it?
Blue and white are the colours that matter here.
We´ll have our breakfast at Keens Café.
Breakfast in sunlight.
14.31 It was a tasty ending to Tam Tam, grilled fillet with accessories. A glass of red would have been the crown of the work. Soon it will be time for the next phase. By the way, it was Swedes at the table next to us. The man in the group who probably originated in Tunisia was more focused on the football shown on television than on his company. The match even made parts of the staff unfocused.
15.10 After having picked up our luggage at Dar El Fell, we are now going by taxi towards the airport. The driver has said that the price is controlled by the meter. 15.40 Things are far from good. Once again it was over price for the taxi. It became more than the meter showed. In addition, the driver did not drive all the way to the airport. But if there are no more problems with transportation, I can live with it. It is a pity that people in the taxi business should spoil the first and last impression of a country. Although we are prepared and doing what we can to avoid it, taxi people still have new tricks on charging more than they should. 16.47 We are ready for departure. Most things have gone well since we arrived at the airport. Maybe we'll have a cup of coffee before we board. 17.14 I spent my last Tunisian coins on; an espresso, a roll of Mentos and a Snickers for 22 dinars, it was really expensive. 17.42 I want to board. There's not much time between the flights. I don't want to be late for Frankfurt. 18.24 This is not good, nicht gut. We should have departed 19 minutes ago. It is less than an hour between landing and departure in Frankfurt. 18.35 We've at least come aboard. They haven't yet, due to lack of staff here in Tunis, loaded the luggage. In addition, it seems to be headwind on the journey to the North. At the moment, there is no information about the connection between Frankfurt and Arlanda. There is a pre booked and pre paid room on Rest and Fly at Arlanda. The morning train for which we have tickets departs from Arlanda. The Swedes from the restaurant are at least on board the plane, but what does that help us.
The Alghfran mosque in Sidi Bou Said.
The station at Sidi Bou Said.
Peter has left the train at the station Carthage Hannibal.
We are exploring the fenician ruins at Magon.
Sitting down here just before lunch.
A cat is looking for food.
19.10 Now things are even more messed up, our flight was so delayed that the air traffic controller deleted it from the list. Now we have to wait 40 minutes before we depart. Those who want to get off the plane are now allowed to do so according to information in the speaker system.
19.15 New bids. Let's start. The annoyed German pilot seems to have solved it all. However, I have little hope that both we and our backpacks will make it to the plane to Arlanda. 19.33 We are now, after more or less a burn out, in the air and on our way. The pilot calmly rolled to the runway. Once there he pulled on and was quickly got us up in the air. Did he run away from everything or did he just want to get away? Where do we sleep tonight? How do we get home? 20.40 The staff has served sandwiches with cheese or salami as an alternative. We also got hot and/or cold drinks. 21.24 Now the news has arrived. We're rebooked for Lufthansa's flight to Stockholm at 06.35 tomorrow morning. There will be no Rest and fly but we will hopefully catch our train. Where are we going to sleep last night?GERMANY
21.49 We have landed. What now? What about the backpacks? Do we get new boarding cards and, like I said, where do we sleep?
21.55 There will be a bus to the terminal. We hope that a few question marks will be straightened out there. 22.07 An Indian guy who worked for Lufthansa and was information officer for wheelchair users has informed us to pass passport control, pick up our luggage and contact Lufthansa. 22.17 We are waiting at a baggage belt. Some get their luggage and other baggage passes without being picked up. When's our stuff coming? 22.27 Our luggage didn't arrive. Let's go ask about what's going on. 22.54 Everything's settled. We were referred to Lufthansa's counter. There we got a hotel voucher each shortly before they closed the counter. Once at the Hotel, Sheraton Frankfurt Airport hotel (http://www.sheratonfrankfurtairport.com), we each got room key and a food voucher. Now we have ordered food at the bar Lemons and Limes. The kitchen closed soon after we ordered. Now we are waiting for Nuremberg sausages, sauerkraut and beer.
Christer is having a late dinner at Hotel Sheraton.
Excellent room but no time to use it.
23.29 It was very tasty. Soon we will go to our rooms, for Christer 7026 and for me 8025.
23.51 Guten nacht! I thought yesterday it was bedtime at this time. I, however, did not think it would be here. It is kind of sad that we can't enjoy a luxurious hotel room when we are given the opportunity. Here it will be just to plunge into bed and get up earlier than early.
Monday 7th of January
04.22 OK, this isn't where I thought I'd be or wake up. But now I'm here and Christer is a floor below. As soon as everything's done, we'll see each other again.
04.55 It is time to leave Christer's room that I have just arrived at. 05.20 I or at least my small backpack got stuck in the security check. Duty-free bags should apparently be sent separately. 05.56 We are, after breakfast from vending machines, now ready to go to the next gate. 06.28 We are ready for the next leap. What waits this time? 07.01 A cart rolls in the area which divides the plane. It is a cart with sandwiches and maybe beverages. What's on the sandwiches today? We haven't seen the Swedes from yesterday. Were they rescheduled to another plane? 07.32 The horizon is getting more red in the east. The sun is coming upSWEDEN
08.45 Now we have finally landed on Arlanda airport. I hope it all runs smoothly from now on. The train for which we have tickets departs in an hour.
09.16 We got our luggage and got through. Let's catch our breath before we head for the train. 09.44 A day has passed since I thought about travelling. It's finally gone as I hoped. 10.58 To have something to eat and drink is delicious on the trips. I'm going to have a second cup of coffee in the bistro wagon.
Peter is awaiting the train at Arlanda airport.
11.35 Thirteen years ago, Christer, Roberth and I were off on our first journal documented Christmas holiday trip. Then it was Saturday and we were in Girona in Spain. A lot has happened since then.
13.02 The train arrived at Sundsvall in time. Here the land is barely snow-covered and it is -12˚C. Christer's on his way home and I'm waiting for lunch at Bite Line. There are news regarding a possible coup d'état in Gabon. 14.30 More news tell that the coup d'état has failed. I'm on my way home. It's time for work but also plans on another, just like this, fun, interesting and amazing journey.
You can see 49 photos from January 4 in this photoalbum.
You can see 15 photos from January 5 in this photoalbum.
You can see 56 photos from January 6 in this photoalbum.
You can see 5 photos from January 7 in this photoalbum.