The Amphitheatre of Elm Jem is an ancient archaeological site.
“I am going to Tunisia,” I told my friends and relatives.
“Where is Tunisia?”
“North Africa.”
“What? Dangerous lah ... you are so brave!”
These were the ignorant and irritating remarks I got from some of them, the ones who think that Tunisia is similar to Iraq or Afghanistan. Luckily, I have learnt how to ignore these messages from the armchair travellers – I wasn’t going to listen to them and miss an opportunity of a lifetime.
If you are planning to visit Tunisia, you should know that the weather is perfect in late November, when it’s not too cold, or too hot. Just bring along a light jacket and you will be fine.
When our tour group arrived in Tunis, one of the first things we did was to look for a currency exchange booth at the airport and get some Tunisian dinar. You can’t get the dinar at your local currency exchange, so it is better to bring with you some US dollars or euros and exchange them in Tunisia.
There are some shops that will take payments in US dollars and euros too, but you will get your change back in dinar. Of course, when tipping, these two foreign currencies will be accepted.
In Tunisia, you can find date palms everywhere; fresh dates are served to guests at all meals, too. We bought home so many boxes of these delicious dates to enjoy.
The locals were friendly, though most of them greeted us in Mandarin and Japanese. The younger folks could speak English very well and loved taking pictures with us.
When it comes to food, most in our tour group loved the sumptuous Tunisian dishes that we were served each day. Unfortunately, some tour members weren’t adventurous enough and preferred to eat instant noodles.
Aside from dates, pomegranates can also be found in abundance there, and you will come across snacks and beverages made from the fruit. I suggest that you try a few of them as you may not be able to find them anywhere else.
There are six Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tunisia, and a handful more historical and interesting landmarks that I think every tourist should try to visit. Here are the most memorable places for me:
Amphitheatre of El Jem
Tunisia’s Amphitheatre of Elm Jem, a World Heritage Site, is one of the largest amphitheatres of the ancient world. It is actually in better condition than the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
We got there in the evening so the place was not too crowded.
Do wear comfortable shoes to explore every corner of the ancient stadium. There are lots of staircases but they are easy to handle; one should try their best to climb up the amphitheatre for the awesome views.
Chebika
The writer at the Roman ruins of Carthage, a World Heritage Site. — Photos: TEE SIEW LAI
We had a great time cutting through the Sahara Desert, the world’s largest with its endless sand dunes, but we did get caught in a sandstorm! It was a truly scary experience but so amazing at the same time.
Another fun activity for me was riding the camel. I wore a traditional Tunisian attire so that I could get the full local experience.
A section in Chebika, an oasis.
Later, we stopped at Chebika, one of the most beautiful desert oases in the world located in the middle of the Sahara. Chebika is a popular hiking area and is only a couple of miles from the Tunisia-Algeria border. This was also where the 1996 movie The English Patient was partly filmed.
After a “gruelling” 40-minute hike, we came to a waterfall that had crystal blue waters. We had a fantastic local guide and he helped me climb up the peak to view the beautiful mountain.
Climbing the rugged rocks and steep ravines was really an achievement for me, a 69-year-old lady!
Chott El Djerid
Chott El Djerid is the largest salt pan in the Sahara Desert. Star Wars fans may recognise this place as the filming location for a few of the movies in the franchise.
Carthage
Exploring the Roman ruins of Carthage, another World Heritage Site, is an opportunity not to be missed. This archaeological site is a treasure trove of ancient ruins, including Roman villas, theatres and baths. We checked out the tunnels that connected the ruins, and learned about Carthage’s fascinating history.
The most beautiful spot in Tunisia, according to the writer, is Sidi Bou Said.
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is a clifftop village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and is undoubtedly the most beautiful place in Tunisia with its cobbled streets and beautiful piazzas.
The best way to see the sights here is to walk everywhere. You will see flowers and creeper plants draped from almost every wall and doorway of the houses in Sidi Bou Said. I highly recommend that you stay at least one night in this village.
Matmata
Berbers, a group of people who are descendants of the pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa, build their homes by digging the ground. In Matmata, a small town in southern Tunisia where you can find a large Berber community, we checked out some of these underground cave dwellings.
I was really fascinated by them and noticed that some have even been turned into hotels. We managed to visit a Berber home and were served some traditional bread and green tea.
Matmata was also a filming location for Star Wars.
The views expressed are entirely the reader’s own.
