2013 Jun 22-26 and 2015 Nov
14-20
Nota: publicado en Inglés: vamos a editar e incluir versión en
español pronto.
Algiers is not exactly a
frequent tourist destination however we had business there in 2013 and also in
2015 so were able to see something of the city and its surroundings.
On our visit in 2013 our
business hosts imposed significant restrictions on movement, although we were
hosted to a dinner at the Aurassi, with a great view over the city and harbour.
Also we were fortunate enough to lose our
luggage on the flight into Algiers (you will not hear this statement made
often) which meant that we had to go into town to buy clothes for the following
day and so saw something of day-to-day life in the evening.
We were taken to a shopping
area, without much variety of options, however found items which were going to
work OK, then went for dinner. It took a little persuasion however we convinced
our driver that it would be OK and the three of us then dined in a local
restaurant; the owner was extremely welcoming and we ended up with enough food
for a week, with delicious local specialities. We suspect that the number of
tourists visiting his restaurant in the last decade could be counted on the
fingers of one hand.
The following evening we
were treated to an delicious couscous at the home of Alain, Aida, and Samir,
friends from when Alan had worked in Algeria. It was great to catch up with
them, and to gain some insight into living in Algiers from them.
Marce was able to get into
Algiers one day and visited Notre Dame d'Afrique, the Monument du Martyre, the Musée des Beaux Arts, the
Jardin Francais, the Grotte Cervantes, and the zoo.
We were able to take advantage of a free day to visit the Roman ruins at Tupisa
(A UNESCO World Heritage site) and see a little of the coast (and of the local kids, who clearly wanted their picture taken).
Our visit in 2015 was even
more restrictive in terms of seeing anything. We stayed at a guest house in the
city, and were able to escape only twice together: once in the evening when we
were able to walk around the immediate vicinity of the guest house, and once
when we negotiated a brief tour of the Monument, followed by dinner at a
seafood restaurant in La Madrague, allowing us to get a feel of this small
fishing port. Marce also had the opportunity to visit the Bardo Museum.
We really want to visit the
Casbah, and this trip caught a glimpse at one point, which was more than we had
achieved in our previous visit. Next time…
So, two brief visits, with
opportunities to get a taste of the city, encouraging us to seek to make the
most of future opportunities.
Photos
may be used for non-commercial purposes with credit to alanymarce@gmail.com
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