Taking The Ferry From Italy To Tunisia – What Can I Recommend?
This trip has been planned for a while now. In July I booked my hotel after I decided about Taking The Ferry From Italy To Tunisia. It is now the tail end of September as I’m beginning to write this blog. Tomorrow I will be travelling to Salerno to the ferry port and I will be taking an 18 hour crossover to Tunis before making my way to Hammamet to stay at my hotel Alhambra Thalasso.
SO, This blog I will write as I go along. Up to this point I have been in Rome for about a day and a half now. I was very relieved to get here actually. The days prior to this I was really worrying about a lot. Mostly because all the stuff I had planned / needed to do before getting here.
This included an overnight stay in Wigan for a friends wedding, and a Rap concert the night before this in London . I was really dreading it. Especially travelling 180 miles away from where I live to Wigan (just 2 days before), and on top of this my plane I had to get was at 9.00AM from Gatwick airport (not close at all).
I think just the thought of getting caught up with my eBay orders before my early morning train was very stressful and getting my bag packed as well. It was relief just to actually get the train and even more so to get my flight to Rome.
I can’t believe it all really because I had been drinking quite a bit prior to leaving – I was out drinking almost every day leading up to this. It was kind of like my way of dealing with it all I think but maybe that is just a lame excuse.
A couple girls I talk to I told about all the early mornings and everything involved with my travel plans. I think I must have hurt their brains telling them as neither responded to my last messages – and actually thinking about it all – It has all been pretty mad from the get-go, and it has hurt my brain as well lol
The things I do for this Teddy Bear. You can’t make this stuff up. So,…
Taking The Ferry From Italy To Tunisia and Back To Milan – Here Is What Happened
It was my younger sister who was the one that originally planned to come to Tunisia. Her partner booked an all inclusive holiday for her, himself, my 2 nephews, my nephews girlfriend and my 2 nieces.
This was months before I ever booked my own travel and accommodation.
At the time I was actually quite upset because my sister said she didn’t want me to come with her. She said she wanted this holiday to be just her family. I knew what she meant – it wasn’t that she didn’t think of me as family but she just wanted a holiday with her partner and her 4 children.
I still felt quite rejected by this. It made me feel like things that I’ve had to deal with in the past were starting to rear their ugly head again. Part of me just wanted to make a stand and just find out the details and make my own arrangements.
It was something I was conflicted about in the months leading up to this. I’m not sure if there ever was a point that I gave up on the idea. I was looking at flights before but It was kind of strange what happened what made me to decide to go ahead with booking my flight to Rome with the intention of getting the ferry.
It was all to do with a blog post I wrote on my other website. I write about my dreams and afterwards try to work out the Dream Meanings. I’ve written about 5 or 6 of these now but this last one – it occurred to me that a place I had a dream about was Riadh in Tunisia.
It could have been Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh but I was fairly sure that it was in fact this city in Tunisia. Somewhere that strangely I don’t think I’ve ever heard of before. I was at an airport and this was the name that stuck out to me.
Now, here is where it gets weird Riadh is where my nephew told me that my Sister (his mum) was staying in Tunisia. I was waiting for one of them to tell me and I couldn’t believe it. He (my nephew) sent this link to me on Booking.com.
Days after I finished the edit on this blog post – I actually could not believe it. I really felt like this had to mean something.
It was this that persuaded me to book my flight to Rome. The flights from London to Tunis were not exactly cheap and this just seemed like a no brainer – I would fly here and get the ferry from Civitavecchia. It seemed like the perfect plan.
Although, when I did I tell my sister and her partner the next day one thing I realized was that they were NOT staying in Riadh, but instead Hammamet.
I don’t know what my nephews was up to telling me this. I don’t doubt that he knew the real location but STILL I felt because of this that it was kind of like my destiny to come here. If he did this because he never really wanted me there then this was a big mistake.
I like to think I follow my dreams and this is why I decided for sure that I was in fact doing this.
I told my sister the day after I booked my flight to Rome. I considered surprising her but if I never told her then I probably would have booked the place in Riadh.
So, good job really but it was funny how this all turned out.
*Note: my sisters holiday to Tunisia was actually cancelled. Her flights were cancelled and then the hotel was not able to book her in with new dates.
***Maybe this was my fault – I do wonder. Maybe there was 1 room short for what would have been their new booking, and if my room was free they could have all come. I have to laugh at that but I suppose that probably was not it at all.
**She is now off to Turkey. She said she would have preferred Tunisia but I guess at least she has not had to wait, and of course I have not had my stay cancelled so this is why I am still going to Tunisia from Italy.
Getting Into Rome Italy – This Was Happening!
This felt like a long time coming. It was almost like there was no way I wasn’t getting here in time. 5:15AM I was at the train station for, and I got to Gatwick Airport with a good amount of time to spare at about 6:25AM.
For how tired I felt I really wished I had left an hour later and got some more sleep but it was fine I got on the train and got on the plane and that was that.
I found it pretty easy really – getting the train into Rome and finding my hostel. The walk here was a bit much with carrying my bags, and for some bizarre reason I still had my coat on. It was very hot – more than I expected but this wasn’t a bad thing.
My hostel – the Villa Luzzatti was a bit shocking actually come to mention it. What bothered me most after getting here was I wanted a shower but forgot my towel. I thought it would be alright because I assumed the hostel would have one to rent like many other hostels I been to before but no they did NOT.
I couldn’t believe it, and it wasn’t just this there was a lot of problems at this place. I don’t think I was even given a key. They basically just showed me my room and where my bed was and that was it. It seemed like anyone could have just walked in here and this was not all either.
I paid 11 euros in the end for a towel from shop. I know I should have packed one but I guess the silver lining was I got to have a nice walk round this part of the city. The shop I found was right by St. Marias Maggiore Basilica. It is one the 4 Papal Basilica’s in Rome and the largest Marian Church in the city.
I really should have looked at getting a ticket to go in or something. It was a shame I didn’t because it was such a fascinating place to see there in front of me.
There was something going on over the park as well nearby with stalls, world food tents and music. I hung around here for a bit and it was quite Interesting.
The world food stalls here included Ethiopia, The Congo, Brazil, Georgia, Morocco, Azerbajan and a good few others – I really felt like I should have been brave enough to order from one of them but I never did.
I think I can be pretty boring at times but with so much choice what do you do?
After this I just ended up coming back to the hostel, taking a shower – which had hot water – credit where credit is due, and going to bed.
It was a shame not to go back out. I really could have done because it wasn’t that late really but I think I needed the rest – after the past few days I really felt like I need to keep my focus on getting to Tunisia.
Visiting Bioparco Di Roma Zoo – What Was It Like?
This was my main plan for the one whole day I had in Rome. I suppose most tourists would have opted for the Colosseum or Vatican City but I thought this would be something else different I could do.
It wasn’t too different from a lot of other zoos I been to. I think when you go to as many different zoos as I do it can lose its appeal a bit. It isn’t that I don’t recommend it here but on the day I was finding it a bit boring.
Although, it was cool to see the Brown Bears. I’ve been to so many zoos and they have been nowhere to be seen. Here though there was 2 bears and a cub which was quite cute.
I got round most of the zoo – I was doing my best to follow the map I was given with numbers. There was some animals I didn’t see – no wolves, otters, wild dogs, hippos or bear-cats. I mean I’m not sure if this made too much difference to how I was feeling on the day but it was not that bad really.
As I did see the Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinos, Monkeys including Tamarins and Marmosets, an Anaconda, a Monitor Lizard, Tigers, Lions and Chimpanzees as well as the Bears.
The walk round was a good bit of exercise too. Lots of hills so it was a bit tiring but I do say I like to walk when I’m away on these trips. My thinking is that it is good to make up for all the idle time I spend at home.
Leaving The Zoo
I left the zoo after I felt I had been round everywhere. I’m not sure how long I spent here but I think It was worth the 19 euros I paid. Although, could it have been time better spent elsewhere? I did this this. That is the question.
I really didn’t think about going to see The Colosseum until after I left the zoo. I was getting the tram back to the area where my hostel is and I noticed that it wasn’t too far away. Only 4 more stops I think it was so I stayed on.
Probably this was the best thing about my hostel – being close to here. It actually made me feel quite a bit better about staying here after noticing all its problems.
So, I left the Zoo and went to see the one of the “7 Wonders of the World”. I didn’t even acknowledge this at the time but this is no. 4 on the official list.
The Roman Colosseum – What Did I Think?
Now I think about it I think that it would have been a terrible shame if I didn’t come here to see this. From where the hostel is where I stayed the Colosseum is only about 15 minutes away on the tram line. I couldn’t NOT come here. It is – I’m sure one of the greatest building you could ever see.
Even just to look at from outside it’s really something else. I wasn’t going to go in at first. My thinking was there is so many Interesting things to see around this area besides this but in the end I decided to actually buy a ticket as I also wanted to have a look around the Forum.
I paid £18.00 which granted me access to both places but I only had time to see one so I went into the Colosseum.
This was unfortunate I didn’t realize how much time I’d actually needed. When I went to enter the Forum they said I could come back the next day as my pass was valid for 24 hours but during this time it was advised that I just visit the Colosseum as I would not have had enough time to see them both.
I was quite happy to pay this still, and it was AMAZING. I couldn’t help think about what this place used to be. How old is it? How much of it is still here since these times long gone? and was this built by the Romans, or was it here before?
I’ve heard the Pyramids in Egypt are older than Ancient Egypt. The ancient past is so fascinating to me. Like how much do we really know? The Colosseum I see a picture of Inside of it being much taller.
What I thought was – I wonder if this was the Tower of Babel? and actually this is Interesting as Pieter Bruegel, the Dutch Renaissance Artist based his painting of the Tower of Babel on the Roman Colosseum.
It made me think about something else too. Could have there been lower levels of the Colosseum buried by the Tartarian Mud Flood?
I don’t know if this is true – my thinking is about there being more levels underground then the 2 which were used by the Gladiators and the animals such as Lions that were kept Inside of here.
Maybe one day this will come out in the news. “Hidden floors found underneath the Roman Colosseum”. I wont bet any money on it but this is just my theory based on pictures of the Colosseum looking a lot taller.
I will let people make their own minds up about this but STILL I’m sure anyone reading this would want to visit here if they haven’t done so.
My advice would be to make a full day of it and pay for the full experience – which I think is 24 euros.
You may want to look at booking a tour if you want to take this a step further but I suppose this depends on how much money you really want to spend.
Now, back to my STORY>>
Leaving Italy For Tunisia
This was the day what I felt so much was building up towards. Actually going to Tunisia. I set my alarm for 5.55 AM to give myself plenty of time to catch my train to Napoli at 6.56AM.
My anxiety was through the roof. The night before I was constantly waking up and checking the time. It must have been every hour or so that I was waking back up.
It was about half 5 before my alarm went off when I actually got out the door to go.
I totally went into panic mode. My thought was that because I booked my train ticket whilst I was still back home in England that my train was coming at 5.56AM Instead of 6:56AM and I only had 26 minutes to get there.
I swear sometimes my life would make a good sitcom. There is a reason I go around with a Mr Bean Teddy Bear – I remind myself of him sometimes and this was just one of those days.
I literally grabbed everything and run out the door. Then got on the tram and got to Roma Termini Station just as the 5:55AM train was leaving.
The horror of being so close and still NOT making it.
For a brief moment I could have cried. I was so mentally exhausted from rushing out after I’d only just woke up (after barely sleeping the night before). It felt like it was just typical but then I realized – it was the 6:56AM train that I need to catch after all NOT the 5:56AM train and I still had an hour.
What a Relief!
I had no problem catching my train to Napoli. I even had enough time to go to the toilet and have some food. I was thinking I should give myself a pat on the back after this. I was telling myself “well done Alex, this is actually happening”.
That was what I was thinking BUT then…
Getting into Salerno and Catching The Ferry
This was the main mission of this trip. Get the train to Napoli. Then get the next train to Salerno and then catch the bus to the ferry port and then go and catch my ferry. I actually thought I was making this with a little bit of time to spare.
“I have a whole 2 hours” I thought and once I got off the bus I would just walk straight into the Ferry Port and Bon Voyage.
BUT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN!
It was horrible. The GPS location I was given by the ferry company (DirectFerries.com) was for those with vehicles – not for foot passengers.
I went to walk in past the gates but was told in Italian (not that I could understand it) that I could not come any further.
I did not know what to do, and even though the guard on the gates seemingly told me to head to the right, and to keep walking – I Instead went off in the complete opposite direction.
I was checking my phone trying to find the ferry port entrance, I was downloading taxi apps and stopping people hoping someone would understand me – all was hopeless. I was running round like a headless chicken, and It was not till I see the same guard again who AGAIN pointed to the right that I actually found where I was supposed to go.
If I only I had just listened to him. I do wonder but then I did notice as well in my email that it said to be here 210 minutes before the ferry left.
Maybe I would have NOT made it anyway, but, still – I was told to wait for 5 minutes by one of the guards.
I had a glimmer of hope I might have been OK at this point, as it wasn’t quite the time of departure. I should have known though – it was just my luck – a woman come to the ticket office and basically I was told what I already was thinking>
There was NO WAY I was getting my ferry to Tunis, and there wouldn’t be another ferry till the following Friday.
It was kind of heart breaking but I did think – “oh well, at least now I don’t have to endure a 24 hour crossing from here to Tunis.
It was kind of a relief BUT I was now stuck in Salerno and it was NOW a matter of what to do for the next 8 DAYS when I had my flight back from Milan.
It did actually make me think it wasn’t so bad being stuck here when I was. Salerno is a beautiful City and one good thing about this was I got to spend a bit more time here to see what the place has to offer.
Spending A Few Hours In Salerno
Upon leaving the ferry port I didn’t really waste too much time in looking for flights from Italy to Tunisia. Getting a ferry was definitely out of the question and it was pretty sad thinking I wouldn’t be going to Tunisia as planned.
So, there was in fact a flight from Milan for later on this day. This would have meant I would have got to Tunisia earlier than if I got the ferry. It would have been good if I could have done this but it was good I didn’t just hit the nuclear button here.
Maybe I might have been able to pull this off but I think more likely I would have got here and missed the plane.
I decided in the end after stopping somewhere else that I would be better off with a flight from Milan for the next day, and I found one for £51.00 from MXP Airport.
However, what I never realized was how far I had to travel to get to Milan – the train was just over a £100 and it was lucky really that FlixBus had a coach stop in Salerno.
It was £39.00 to get the coach – although this was a 12 hour trip that would take me all the night to get to my destination.
FlixBus and My Flight From Milan To Tunis
This was a much better Idea than getting the ferry. I didn’t actually even look how much it would cost to fly to Tunis Instead of getting the ferry. I really wish I had done because with the money I actually had to spend getting to the ferry port and then to Milan I could have saved I think OVER £100.
I think maybe it would have been around the same price to go from Rome to Milan rather than Rome to Salerno. It was a headache really all the extra work to get from one side of Italy to the other but I did enjoy the scenery.
I think really I wouldn’t have seen as much of the country as I did if this all didn’t happen. It was a long coach journey but It was nice seeing all the mountains in the distance and the beautiful seascapes that Italy has.
I actually paid extra for one of the better seats as well. Between a couple stops I had to share but mostly I was fortunate enough to be able to sit on my own for the best part of the 12 hour plus journey.
PLUS another thing I took some delight in was that on the way to Milan we stopped in another country that I never would have been to otherwise – San Marino is a strange place – its like Vatican City being as its a country within Italy.
I think I was maybe asleep whilst I was here (if I’m being honest) but STILL a new country is a new country lol.
Getting Off The Bus
I was thinking in one way that it was good travelling overnight because I saved money on a hostel but after I got into Milan at about 6:30AM I still wanted to sleep.
It was quite annoying because I figured I could book a hostel cheap and have a few hours sleep and a shower. The place I booked was Colors Hostel in Central Milan and for £12 I thought this was well worth it.
It was NOT as expected though – how frustrating it was – even though they had someone there working I was still told that they wouldn’t let me check in till 3PM.
I was allowed to wait in the reception area though. It was good just to sit and chill for a bit at least – even though I definitely WASN’T getting my moneys worth. The only thing was that when I went to the toilet I noticed there was a shower in here so I did manage to have one before I left.
I would have liked to sleep as well but I knew I just had to get on with it because it was still Important as well that I got to the airport in good time because NO WAY was I missing out again on my dream holiday.
My Time In Milan and Flying To Tunisia
After I left the hostel I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d do until later on. I had a wonder round the area by the hostel. The first place I stopped was at a café run by a Chinese family – there seems to be a lot of these in Italy. I went to a similar place in Rome – they are more affordable but quality I’d say wasn’t great.
I had a lasagne here in this place by the hostel but it was NOT really that good. I wont say anything more about it but I decided to get moving after this.
I got the metro to Cadorna next which was a much better area. One place I stumbled upon was a Church (San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore) and this was quite a fascinating place to visit, and it was free entry.
It was quite like an Art Gallery with each wall covered in large paintings. I’m glad I came here because I didn’t do much else in Milan – I stumbled into a Pub near here but it was just too busy (I thought) and I wasn’t drinking so I just decided from here that I would head straight for MXP.
It would have been nice to do more things in Milan. It has a lot of culture about it but I was just a touch anxious and I just wanted to get to the airport without any more delays.
It is funny now (kind of) when I think about it as – as much as I wanted to cry – catching the ferry was never a good idea.
The airport was a bit of a pain. There was a long queue to get my boarding pass – it took ages to get a gate number and the queue for boarding took forever, but, it was all worth it in the end because I finally made it to Tunisia.
And I was so happy to finally be here at last after all the trouble with the ferry.
Getting To My Hotel From Tunis Airport
This did not really take me too long at all. I think of other times I’ve got to the airport like in Malaga and Serbia, actually Prague the last time and I remember just having a complete meltdown figuring out what to do.
On this occasion though I can’t have been in the airport any longer than 20 minutes. I connected to the WIFI first of all, topped up my Caxton Travel Card, then I got some Dinars out, topped up my phone and ordered a Taxi..
This I did with the InDrive app which I was familiar with from being in Morocco. The driver was already at the airport and I found him within about 10 minutes.
It was a bit annoying as I got the money out it said it would cost on the App but then the driver said it would cost me more.
*If you ever use the InDrive App in Morocco or Tunisia always message driver to agree on price before you get in their taxi.
It was a bit worrying for me when the driver said he wanted 180 TND (about £45 GBP or 47 Euros) but I didn’t mind when I see what the distance away was.
This was fair enough BUT I will say if you are doing the same message the driver first on the App – It might just save you some money.
Also, the other thing about the InDrive App is the drivers can be a bit dodgy. I mean I would rather use this app than get ripped of by one of the regular taxi drivers that typically seize the opportunity to charge top dollar but STILL remember some of these drivers are not completely legal.
Mine was nice enough but we were still stopped at a police check point. I thought it was maybe just routine procedure but after I got out the taxi the driver asked me for more money because the police had fined him 200 TND (about £50 GBP) for not having the paperwork for picking up tourists.
I felt bad not being able to help him but I only got out the 180 TND we agreed on – I had no more cash on me. Not to mention I was just about to pay a lot of money to stay at this hotel.
*I think it was £450.00 for 5 nights – more than I typically like to pay but I was just happy to be here and it was actually a lovely place to come and stay.
My First Night and Day At Alhambra Thalasso
It was so good to finally get here after missing the ferry and having to travel from one side of Italy (Salerno) to the other (Milan).
The thing what was a bit rubbish was I paid £90 for this 1st day and I didn’t get here until 22:30 at night. It would have been nicer to get here earlier but considering the places I usually stay – like the dodgy hostel in Rome with broken the door handles, or the place in Malaga with the crazy neighbour lol – here was great.
I was really gutted my sister didn’t come. I’m sure she would have liked it here and the beach I think is what made me think this more than anything. It was just so beautiful. Even the sand was nice and the sea I am so glad I went in for a swim.
I was thinking I would like to do it but usually I get worried about what I have with me but this was no problem – as the hotel has its own section of the beach and I was able to leave my bag with them.
I was covered in bites after my 3 days in Italy as well – and I’m sure getting in the sea did me better than any kind of after bite cream would have done.
I think I would like to come back with my sister seeing as she missed out this time. Staying in expensive places like this isn’t typically my thing but after this I will admit it did change my stance on this quite a bit.
(Find Out More About Alahambra Thallaso HERE)
Now, so this was the first day and of course this was not all that happened.
Visiting The Friguia Zoo Park
On my 2nd day this was something I had looked at doing before I ever got here. I had hoped that I could have come here with my little niece before her holiday was cancelled so she could come and see the monkeys.
It wasn’t really what I thought it would be like. When I first heard about this place I was under the impression that you could still get wild Macaques in Tunisia like in Morocco and Algeria. I thought this place would be like Ouzoud and you could come here and find wild monkeys.
Google really spun my a yarn with this one. When my sister was saying she didn’t want me to come with her to Tunisia – one thing I was thinking was I would be missing out on this amazing wildlife park that was apparently one of the biggest in North Africa.
It was pretty underwhelming in this respect. As much as I would love to find another Ouzoud I will say that this was still a cool place to come and visit.
What Is It Like At Friguia Park Zoo?
You could say this place is not really that big. When I booked my taxi the driver said to me that he would wait for me if I paid him 120 TND instead of the 55 TND what I paid him to get here. He give me 2 hours to make my way around and I was done before this.
There is a good selection of animals here. The entry is only 15 TND – the equivalent of only £6 GBP so nothing really compared to how much I had to pay to get here and back in the taxi.
The way it is built I think is quite impressive. As you walk round there are bridges over the Lions, Tigers and Hyenas etc. and you can get a good view of them from above.
You have White Tigers and White Lions here as well as the usual kind. These are only found in captivity and I see In one enclosure they had Lions and Tigers together.
I assume this is one of those weird cross breeding programs for Ligers/Tigons.
It was pretty weird really seeing a White Tiger and White Lion cuddled up next to each other. I suppose they are just trying to attract people with news headlines but it did seem a bit unnatural I thought.
Other than this the Ostriches I quite liked seeing. They seemed to be showing off in front of my phone camera.
Also, they did have Barbary Macaques here but it wasn’t really so exciting seeing them in an enclosure compared to when I’ve been in Morocco and Gibraltar.
They was missing a bit at this zoo as well – I think (I’m fairly sure) they no longer have Giraffes nor Elephants here, and the Sea Lions are gone as well as the Dolphins. This was a shame as I was looking forward to seeing the dolphins here but despite what Google says they are no longer here.
My Last 2 Days At The Alhambra Thallasi
I actually didn’t do a lot. I ate my 3 free meals a day (which, may I add, was (i’m sure) the best I’ve eaten in a long time). I went to the beach again (Not every day like I told myself I would but it was just nice to go back there and I wish I spent longer there..
There was a nice woman working here who kept coming up to talk to me. I’m sure she was just doing her job but anyway she just about persuaded me to use the Spa.
I was putting this off and putting this off but I finally decided to go for it on the day before my last. I walked in and not sure what I was expecting really. There was a group of older women in Swimming costumes waiting – this kind of put me off but what really did was I didn’t have a clue what I was doing here.
I was thinking maybe I would have ended up in a hot tub in a steam room or something but I was given a pamphlet in FRENCH for all the services and how much they cost.
From what I gathered talking to the nice lady was the Spa was free to use. So, I said I just wanted to use the Spa but this was a bit of a joke because I had no idea what I was talking about. They said if I wanted to use the sauna that it was next to the restaurant but after ending up god knows where in the hotel (I think it was the boiler room or something lol) I just thought I would give up on the whole Idea.
This was when I went in the swimming pool – the only time I did in 5 days. People will laugh at this but I was happy to stick with what I knew.
Actually my excuse for not going in the pool more was because I was going to the beach and swimming in the sea.
This I think really helped me when I got here because in Italy I must have been bitten about 30 times. I had bites all over my body – it felt like the worst I’ve ever been bit whilst away, and getting in the sea I’m sure helped relieve all the irritation.
I believed it would actually. There are a lot of minerals found in sea water Including Iodine. This I’m sure will do a better job than anything bought over the counter, and I’m sure there are plenty of other health benefits too.
Iodine is very good for the Thyroid if you have any health issues related to this, and it was no chore at all. The hotel have a part of the sea roped off for people to swim in and the water was just beautiful. The colour of it and the sunshine with this it was like paradise.
Going Back to The Zoo
People will probably think this was a boring thing for me to do. Perhaps it was a bit of a waste of a holiday but besides the hotel and airport this was the only place I actually went to. My thinking was a few things – the tours all seemed quite expensive and I spent quite a lot for the booking and getting here AND look out for my next blog post ALL WILL BE REVEALED.
So, I did notice another Zoo in Tunis City (with Bears as well) this would have been perfect but it seemed like it could be trouble. It would have involved getting a bus and a train – I think 2 hours there and 2 hours back and probably even longer.
The route I found on Rome2Rio but I really didn’t feel confident enough to do it. This would have justified my time spent here I think a whole lot more but Instead I just thought “I never see the Giraffes or Elephants at the Friguia Bioparc” so I would just go back there..
It was pretty lame but I messaged the taxi driver who took me here last time and I asked him if he would take me back here and to the airport the day after.
It was very much like it was last time without the randy tortoise lol I didn’t mention that actually but the noises this thing was making it was crazy.
There was a calypso band here on the day too. They reminded me of the Baha Men who sing Who Let The Dogs Out. I actually wonder if it was them but I doubt it lol
So, visiting Friguia Park wasn’t much different other than this. It was stupid to think I never see the Giraffes or Elephants was the excuse to come back because this time I realized it was because I’m guessing they no longer have them here.
Leaving Tunisia
It was sad to go. I really wished I could have done more. Compared to Morocco I do prefer it there but it was nice. The only thing I didn’t like was the shops and the shop keepers. They are so desperate to get your custom and try to rinse you for as much as possible.
I felt like I had already spent so much with just booking the hotel and it really did not feel comfortable for me to waste money on things I did not even want. It was a shame because I wanted to head out further to see what else was there but this really put me off leaving the hotel.
You just got to be firm I guess – La Shaakran – Non Merci.
Getting back to Italy was actually horrible. I booked a hostel but It just felt like a race against time to get there. They actually cancelled my booking. I got to the area and I got an email through – I thought I would be sleeping rough.
The hostel did let me stay – credit to to them but this was just a bit of a joke as well – I stayed in the lower bunk and the bed above was so low that I kept banging my head. I’m due back in Milan later this year but this place I think I will give a miss.
So I got to MXP the next day. It was an earlyish flight if I remember correctly and the biggest pain was I got off the train at Terminal 1 Instead of 2 and I thought I wouldn’t get to my plane in time . I did but what a headache this was but STILL I got back OK and after this I had another holiday to get to – only 2 days later…
To Be Continued…
Keen traveler and digital nomad looking to share my stories from my international trips.