Day 17: Hammamet

Bubba
see all photos »

Today goal was to avoid the manager in the foyer who keeps trying to sell us stuff and to get to make it to the ferry to Palermo.

We spent the day doing a few last minute shopping bits and pieces, we are now much better at negotiating because we have some idea what things are worth, this definitely helps. As does having a joke with the shopkeeper and getting out the key phrases before he can e.g. sabotage, bankrupt, American capitalists, best price, good luck, because you are Australians.

It took at least 20 minutes per party to get through Customs.

The Chick Khan hotel at Yasmine Hammamet
see all photos »

Also avoiding going into the shops as the shopkeepers usher you in with, just one minute to look at my shop, or stealing Billy’s sunglasses and having him chase the shopkeeper in yelling, hey that’s mine. Every item you purchase is apparently made from Tunisian Olive Trees and Camel (even things with made in China written on them) and apparently they are all unbreakable if they are over 15 Dinar (the shopkeeper will generally show you this by dropping the item on the floor numerous times).

Ferry
see all photos »

We sent some items we no longer required on our trip and couldn’t be bothered carrying any longer, this was actually quite easy, the post office manager spoke some English and we had no problems.

We had to mention the cars found on the road, there is a huge variety as mentioned previously, but the best cars of all, are those that appear to be made from about 10 other cars, where even the doors don’t quite seem to fit right to the body, nothing is the same color and the maximum speed appears to be about 20 kms, it goes to show how creative the Tunisian people are…apparently it was made from Camel and Olive Trees.

Ferry
see all photos »

We dragged Billy out of the swimming pool this afternoon and took an expensive taxi to the port (organized by our friend from the hotel). Obviously blinkers are relatively new, as the driver never actually turned off the blinker (which made a horrible computerized beep continuously), he would turn it on to move to the left lane, and leave it on for ten minutes, until he moved to the right lane, where he would change it to the right. He of course, did not notice as he spent the entire time on the mobile phone (with one hand), and constantly gestured with his other hand, meaning we were at the mercy of the road as to what direction lane we were traveling in. We arrived unscathed and spent about two hours waiting around the port for them to open Customs.

Hotel
see all photos »

Finally, they queued us up at Customs, this was a great example of the slowest possible immigration processing you could possibly go through. It took at least 20 minutes per party to get through Customs. He stared at Billy’s passport for over 5 minutes, I asked ‘Is there a problem’, he said ‘No problem’, continued looking, then got up and walked out of his booth. He came back a few minutes later. Then of course once you are cleared you go through the metal detectors, regardless if you set it off or not you are frisked down by the security guard with one hand, his other still firmly attached to a cigarette. We then waited in yet another waiting room for another half an hour, then out on to the ship, through four passport checks as you walk to the boat along the dock, each with about a 5 minute queue, followed by yet another passport check and finally you are pointed to your room.

Hotel
see all photos »

The cabins were good, the top bunks folded into the wall, so Billy was up top. This was definitely an improvement on the other options, being the deck chairs, life boats and cinema seats. Although, the cafeteria couches did look very comfortable, however, were snapped up by single men very quickly, who from the moment of getting on were lying down on the couches to stake their claim.

We waited until 11pm (the ship was due to leave at 9pm), then fell asleep just as we think it started moving, the next thing we new it was morning and we were getting knocks on the door telling us to get up and out! The water must have been extremely calm as you could hardly tell you were even moving.

All in all however, it was a very easy process, as long as you are not an impatient person, as the waiting in queues is constant.

Tool of the Day

The Tunisian shopkeeper who insisted some purple felt inside a jewelry box was made of Camel…yes we’re probably stupid…but not that stupid!!