Author: wolfesbuketlistscom

The Adventure Continues…. Algiers, Algeria

Algiers, the White City, rewards a single day visit with a compelling mix of Ottoman grandeur, French colonial elegance, and North African energy. This country has a mix of beaches, deserts and snow capped mountains.

Under French control for two hundred years Algiers was built in beautiful European style with balconies and wide paved boulevards. The country gained independence in 1962.

For Muslims Ramadan is the month long celebration of their religion. Observants fast from daylight to sunset – no food or water for the period. There is a ‘rhythm’ to life during this holy month. Shops and businesses are closed in the morning and only open late afternoon. After sunset families and friends gather for foods and drinks to celebrate. The streets in Algiers were mostly empty in the am but things came alive as the sun set.

Algiers continues to experience an undercurrent of political unrest. We were monitored throughout the visit. Police escorted our tour bus convoys. and men in black jackets closely followed our movements. There was never an issue but it was uncomfortable.

The Adventure continues …. Tunis, Tunesia

Tunis, sits at the crossroads of civilizations that have shaped North Africa for millennia. Ancient Carthage grew into one of the most powerful cities rivaling only Rome. Over the centuries Tunis/Carthage and its surroundings were conquered by the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arab conquerors, Aghlabids, Hafsids, Ottomans, and French colonizers before Tunisia gained independence in 1956. This layered past has left the region with an extraordinarily rich tapestry of archaeological and architectural heritage.

The Bardo Museum houses the finest collection of Roman mosaics, many recovered from Tunisian archaeological sites. Many of these are large having covered the floors of grand homes of Carthage.

The old Medina of Tunis, is a vast network of shops and stalls offering anything from rugs to gold and diamonds. It was a shoppers delight.

The Antonine Baths of Carthage — are among the largest Roman baths ever built outside Rome itself. Much of the structure lies in ruins, the towering columns and vast foundations that remain give a powerful sense of their former grandeur.

The Adventure continues ….. Malta

Malta is a small archipelago nation nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, lying just south of Sicily and north of the African coast. Despite its modest size — roughly 316 square kilometers across its three inhabited islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino — it’ played a big role in history.

The architecture reflects the the Romans, Arabs, Norman’s, and the Knights of St John (the Templar’s) who built, fortified and defended this small rocky isle. Malta fought with the Allies during WWII earning the British Medal St George. A number of the ancient fortifications and churches were bombed during the conflict.

We toured and climbed the ancient Malta Templer compound.

Modern Malta is thriving with tourism and outstanding weather. The busy harbor houses modest boats up to and including mega yachts.

Malta is home to film studios that have produced Gladiator, Troy, Jurassic World Domination and Napoleon.

In the evening we enjoyed a baroque concert in a magnificent church. The Knights of Malta are entombed in the floor of the church.

The Adventure continues ….. Ajaccio, Corsica

Ajaccio is a wonderful compact city on the island of Corsica. The was the birthplace of Napoleon. Built on the rugged hillside

The guide said the community suffers from ‘second home’ syndrome. It’s a beautiful location but with many ‘snow birds’.

The Adventure continues ….Avignon, France

Enduring rough seas over night sailing from Barcelona the ship docked in Marseille. Tour bus took us to this picturesque city on the Rome River. Avignon feels like stepping into a world suspended between the medieval and the magnificent.

We hiked thru the many halls, bridges, grand meeting halls and the kitchen. It was a 4 hour experience.

We stopped at the local market to see what was fresh.

The pretty city of Avignon has countless narrow walkways and alleys. Every summer they host a popular film festival.

The Adventure continues …Istanbul 3

Our guide led us on a whirlwind tour to see and experience everything not visited in days 1&2

1 Suleymaniye Mosque

2 Pierre Lotti Hill

3 Chora Church

4 Fender-Balat District a street walk

5 St Stephen (Iron) Church

All this in 7 hours with 60 minutes for lunch! Needless to say we were exhausted by the time we returned to the hotel.

There is too much to cover in a short visit!

That said, here are a few highlights-

The Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest in Istanbul. Off with our shoes as a sign of respect.

After lunch we drove to the Pierre Lotte lookout.

The Chora Church was constructed by the Romans. The exterior showed early stonework that had been added to over the centuries. This early Christian Church is now a mosque. Frescos and paintings on the ceiling and walls.

The Fender-Balat district was early Jewish and Christian commune in this muslin country. It’s changing into an ‘art district’. We found interesting brass items.

St Stephen’s (Iron) church was constructed of iron rather than stone. Built in Germany and assembled on site. Today it’s a restored Greek Orthodox Church.