Posts Tagged 'Constantine'

Jul 15th
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Since The Algerian War of Independence against France from 1954 to 1962, Algeria has been off the travel radar. Although close to Europe and bordering heavily touristed Morocco, not much is known about the vast nation, 9th largest in the world, by the traveler community. Years of instability followed the Revolution, and Algeria was often aligned with movements unfavorable to the West. Income from vast oil and gas reserves provided income for the government and its’ people making the necessity for tourism a low priority. Above Is The Interior of Emir Abdelkader Mosque iin Constantine.

Indeed, even as tourism is opening up, it is still quite a process to procure a visa. TotalAdventure had to submit, along with the form and two photos – work and residential history, name and birthplace of parents, passport, driver’s license, 3 months of bank statements, complete itinerary with name and address of hotels ( changeable ) and reservation plan for transport in and out of the country. Once this is all submitted with the US $ 160 fee,it’s approved in about 7 business days. My visa is multiple entry and good for two years – I shall return !

Algeria is 99% Islamic. The Mosques are beautiful and also open to non-Muslim observers.

Just after Mid Day Prayers.

Street Scene.Algerians are extremely friendly and happy to meet foreigners. Never are there aggressive sales tactics.

A Sealed Portal.

Sharia Law does not apply. Alcohol is permitted in private,but not widely availabe ,except in international hotel bars. About half the women wear the hijab, while many also wear modest Western style attire.

TotalAdventure’s hotel in Central Algiers. The city architecture is Parisian with an Arabian mix. SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

An interior of an apartment building.

Fending Off Pirates And Infidel Invaders.

The National Post Office. The postcards I mailed from there have yet to arrive

Notre Dame d’Afrique. Beautiful Moorish design to blend in with Mosques. Algeria is 1% non Muslim – including Catholics and Jews.

SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF ALGIERS !

The view from Notre Dame d’Afrique.

The Martyrs Memorial , high above the city. Underneath is an amazing museum of the Revolution, however no photos are permitted.

A Fighter Against France.

The Algerian Dinar is officially 130 to the US Dollar ; the street rate is 220. This makes prices very low compared to the USA or Western Europe. By paying in cash your hotel rate can be less than half. Large delicious meals are $8 to $ 10, with several courses, coffee and mineral water. Do not keep any more than for souvenirs, as the currency is unconvertible anywhere.

Lunchtime. Tasty lamb and chicken kebabs.

My lunch order was about $3.50 and could not finish it.

Red and purple olives, like I’ve never seen before.

About 120 km West of Algiers is the ancient seaside Roman City of Timgad. It was built around 100 AD and is mostly in original form – nothing has been rebuilt.

Arches With A Seafront View.

Timgad overlooks the effervescent Mediterranean . Algeria has great potential for resorts, but let’s hope it doesn’t happen the way it has in Europe.

There are so many coliseums in the Roman Empire that they must have been a chain.

The Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, also known as Kbor er Roumia, is a large, circular tomb located near Tipasa, Algeria. It was built in the 3rd century BC and is believed to house the remains of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene.. The monument is a significant example of Numidian funerary architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

On Tuesday May 27th TotalAdventure hired a car to Bou Saada – about 4 hours southeast of Algiers – The Gateway To The Sahara. Temperatures in summer reach 50 C , but it was only 36 on this late spring day.

Center of Bou Saada.

Poolside Lunch At Hotel Caid.

A Very Fertile Stork.

Modesty And Beauty.

From the desert we ascended to the eastern highland city of Constantine.Perched upon the mountaintops it is united by chainlink suspension bridges. Above, is Algeria’s second largest – Mosque of Emir Abdelkader.

Islamic Stain Glass.

Minarets Reaching To The Heavens.

Children Taking Part In Bismillahkhani  – Introduction To Learning The Quaran.

Open To Everyone.

Travelers -Your Phone Is As Important As Your Passport. Soon Even More So. See http://www.adventuretravel.ai To See The Future Of Travel.

From Near And Far. The Gorge Is 150m Deep.

By Night From Igherssan Restaurant.

Lamb With Couscous.

Sparkling Water Cocktail.

Arabian Nights.

SEE THE BRIDGES IN THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE.

On the final day in Algeria I explored the Roman Ruins of Tiddis, in the hills about 40 km from Constantine.

I had the entire site to myself – a benefit of being in sparsely visited Algeria.

Ancient tales live on.

Shelter From Summer Sun And Winter Cold. It snows in this part of Algeria.

Nightfall in Constantine.

The Crescent Moon Heralding The Arrival Of Eid Al Adha.

On Sunday June 1 , TotalAdventure boarded the Anaba – Tunis Express, only recently resumed running after many years. Three hours later I crossed the border into Tunisia . We will soon return to Amazing Algeria !