a memorable stay (Sousse)

Member Name: sthomas48

Product:	Sousse
Date:	27/08/02 (396 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: a rich history and culture, the medina, clean beach and sea

Disadvantages: aggressive locals, poor food, standard of hotel

In March 2001 I jetted off to Sousse, Tunisia via Gatwick airport. After a pleasantly short and comfortable flight I arrived in the evening time to travel to the hotel from Monastir airport. My hotel was right opposite the beach.

The hotel was the El Hana Beach. Classed as three star accommodation, but the truth was far from that. Dont get me wrong, for the time I spent in the hotel it was just about functional. But I had to move room twice, my room had no sound-proofing from the noise of the main road outside and my spare blanket (essential for sleep in March) had one or two moths as residents ! The food was quite poor too.

The beach was excellent however. Very clean and white and in March not too busy. I found the weather that time of year to be quite pleasant. Sunny with just a cool breeze. The sea water was crystal clear and postcard perfect blue. Almost every morning I walked the length of the beach wading in the water.

Sousse has a few shops in the town centre, but in truth nothing special. You can pick up souveniers in the shops, which is less hassle than in the souks. Be warned that as in the Souks if you arent wary you will get pounced on by locals trying to push some scam onto you. Ignore them ,be stern and straight... they get bored quickly !

The best thing in Sousse has to be the Medina. For me as someone especially interested in the historical and cultural aspects of Tunisia, I became a big fan of the Medina. Just sit in the sqaure near the fountain and watch the locals go about the business, its great with some funny characters appearing now and then. The Mosque is the main draw to the tourist here. The ebb and flow of muslims attending their prayers during the day, the call to prayer and the wonderful building of the mosque itself stick in my mind. There are set times for you to visit the mosque. Inside its just the mosque, but for many westerners it is a rare opportunity to explore the structure of a mosque, the p
rayer area, the beautiful mosiac flooring etc;

Elsewhere in the Medina there is of course the Souks, or the market stalls. Noise, colour, smells and emotion are ready to hit you as you enter the market area central to the Medina. Lots of tourist mingle with locals on the bicycles. Children run around. Wise old folk smile. It sounds like a cliche, but its just as I saw it. Actually I never bought anything in the Souks, I just wanted to absorb the atmosphere and fun.

There is a museum and a tower to enjoy in the Medina also. Just wandering the many alleys is great. One second you appreciate the white walls, mosiacs and blue doors and windowframes... I mingled with some kids who were playing soccer one morning. Next second you witness the grime, the stray cats and the red light district. Its okay because being honest this is real life in all forms.

There is enough in Sousse to keep you happy pirely as a base to explore Tunisia via the many planned exursions available to tourists from the hotels there.

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