It was only a three hour flight from Casablanca, Morocco to Tunis, Tunisia.

In some ways it feels similar with the ‘Bonjour Madame’, colourful Medina souks and call to pray.

And the Arabic language which is read from left to right. Did you notice how the passport opens?

But there is new money and new food. And smoking!

Bab al-Bhar is the main gate opening to Victory Square and the Medina.

And all types of places for a coffee.

Zitouna Mosque oldest in Tunisia (end 7th century) and largest in Tunis. It developed into the most important place of higher education.

Another Madrassa, or school, that are prevalent in Medinas. This one from 1401.

Madrasa Slimania was an Ottaman school built in 1754 and is now an art gallery.

Makroudh are fried semolina flour stuffed with date paste. Very popular but not as tasty as I hoped.

Sandwich stands were everywhere. More on the choices later.

Ministry of Religious Affairs

Tunis City Hall and Kasbah Square

On the other side of the Medina, running east from Bab al-Bhar gate was a long boulevard that stretched down to the Clock Tower.

Saint Vincent de Paul Cathedral

The heavily guarded Embassy of France.

My culturally conservative clothes.

And of course a market! Marché Centrale.

Dried roses.

And by the market, a hole in the wall restaurant that has been serving the same Kafteji since 1931.

It was jam packed! Lined up to buy a ticket then shifted up to the counter to wait my turn. I would have loved a video but got caught taking a photo.

It was amazing to watch the young man cleaning on the toast green peppers and tomatoes, then they soft cooked eggs and chopped it all together. Separating for each order.

It was served with freshly fried potatoes and bread. 6 dinar (Cdn$3)

Cigarettes for sale

Another lunch was a Mlewi sandwich made with a large thin bread. I had it spicy so red and green pepper harissas with omelette and vegetables. 4.5 dinar (Cdn$2.25). Tuna is very popular too.

Then a day exploring the spread out sites of Carthage.

Ancient Carthage was one of the most important trading hubs of the ancient Mediterranean area. It was founded by the Phoenician’s around 814 BC.

Carthage was a main rival to the Roman Empire, leading to the Punic Wars that saw it being destroyed in 146 BC. The Romans then rebuilt in their own style.

The Antonine Baths area.

Punic Ports were excavated by hand in the 2nd century BC. They could accommodate up to 220 warships.

Roman Amphitheatre

Ancient Theatre

Just north of Carthage was the seaside area of Sidi Bou Said, an affluent area of blue, white and tourist shops.

A quiet spot overlooking the Gulf of Tunis. There is a large beach area further west.

The National Museum of Bardo held all the valuable treasures of Carthage. The many mosaics were stunning.

Urns from 100 BC

The ‘Ksour Essef cuirass’ was a bronze 3rd-century BC breastplate. It is often linked to Hannibal Barca, who crossed the Alps with 37 elephants in 218 BC to invade Italy during the second Punic War.

They did cause massive terror and a tactical advantage to break through Roman lines, but they did not survive the cold winter.

I had taken a 20 minute taxi to the museum for 10 dinar (Cdn$5) but took a train back for 1 dinar.

A last few photos.

Then it was south to Sousse!