The ferry to the islands has a tight schedule. Officially. When we arrive, we learn that we have to wait another 2 or maybe 3 hours, the timetable is implemented individually here.
That's good too. So we phone home, Gerd buys some warm, fresh, fragrant bread from a small bakery and we have a hearty breakfast until half past three, when the ferry is due to leave.
At some point, what we have already observed here several times happens: The gate to the harbour opens and everyone accelerates. Only to then roll onto the ferry one by one, completely wedged in front of the door and with a lot of pushing back and forth.
We observe this and ask ourselves whether we should push in too? The friendly harbour boss looks at us, we are allowed to drive a few metres ahead. Passports! First time here? Yes? A warm welcome.
The ferry is like an anthill. The cars, the scooters and the motorbikes are placed tetris-like, loudly placed.
If we didn't know the volume by now, we'd think the men were arguing all the time. So at some point we are also guided onto the ferry, no, back again, there is still room for a small Polo, but now. A little more to the right, yes, now, stop!
Half an hour later, not a single bicycle fits on the ferry. The hatch closes and off we go. We rock across for about 90 minutes, 20 kilometres can feel very long in a swell.
The waves crash against the closed flap of the ferry, the water whips through the hinges and eventually over the railing.
Upstairs, in the completely overcrowded common room, people are sleeping, singing, playing and, above all, listening to loud music. We stand around like this, because we arrived too late and there is no place for us to sit. I survey the situation and ask myself where the life jackets are. I see exactly two and remember that we even have two life jackets in Felix, which we bought with our SUP. And so far we've never needed them. Hopefully it will stay that way today.
When land is finally in sight, a huge hustle and bustle starts, everyone rushes to their vehicles, us too. Interestingly, the unloading, i.e. the departure from the ferry, is much quieter, more orderly and absolutely unspectacular.
We drive into the sunset (accompanied in our ears by "Lonesome cowboy, you're so far, far from home'..."), find a nice spot at an abandoned fort with a sunset view and the sound of the sea and look forward to the days here on the islands.
Merci for "travelling with us
We are thinking about taking another break from travelling in the summer and visiting our families in Germany and Switzerland. One of the ideas is to organise a Lecture about our long journey to the Persian Gulf to prepare. If you would like to, what would interest you the most? We will also tell stories here that don't find a place here on the blog. We're thinking of the Bern and Berlin area - simply because we have family there. But other places are also conceivable. Feel free to write to us.
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Good morning you two dear ones.
You can almost imagine what it's like there. 🤣👍
Well described!
Is it only you who writes, Heike?
I first had to look up where these islands are
Never heard of it before. 🤔
And I admire your courage.
Honestly. 👍
I do a lot and have already done stuff and driven myself into corners of the world where I think to myself today:
Oh, oh ... Racheli...😱🧐🤔
But of course it is different to travel alone as a woman without a male companion.
Where you are now, I would not dare to go there alone as a woman.
A pity, really. 😔
All the more reason for me to be happy that I can ride with you. 🥰
Warm greetings
From the Racheli
It should be "driven around" and "I"!
Unfortunately, it is not possible to check the written comment again before sending it.Because the text cannot be moved. 🤷
At least on the mobile phone it doesn't work.
Unfortunately, you can't insert a photo, otherwise I would have sent a screenshot 😉
Hello you love
yes, I write alone. Gerd doesn't seem to like it that much 🙂
and I love to write. That's actually the whole explanation...
Courage is one of those things that you only realise afterwards that you were brave. Or sloppy in your research.
I often ask myself whether I would visit these countries on my own. Thank God I don't have to make such a decision at the moment, because I wouldn't know. But Tunisia itself is really very good to travel to even as a woman, actually really easy. Everyone is very friendly and accommodating.
And yet: with two, everything is simply twice as easy.
Best wishes and have a wonderful Christmas week!
Kind regards - Heike
Good morning Heike.
Thank you very much for your answers.
You busy writer! 😍
I really like reading your stuff.
Honestly?
I don't want to try to be alone in such countries.
I follow Margot on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/margot.flugelanhalt
She makes great trips.
But she is not really alone either.
The guys from the film crew are there.
Still, I think what she's doing is great.
And above all, how she turns it into money 😉
Maybe there will be a book from you one day. 🤔😇
Kind regards from Racheli