Arrived in Algiers on Sept 1. There is a blackmarket for hardcurrency - Euros & US dollars - but before we could get to the City Centre, we were approached at the airport and took advantage of the superior exchange rates.
We were not prepared for the first day. Being Ramadhan, everything (literally) is closed. At 7:00 in the evening we went looking for food, but could not find anything open. Luckily, we were invited by some locals to join them for a traditional meal. We offered to pay them, but they would not accept any money from us. Since then, we are now into a routine - buy stuff from the general store and eat in our hotel room; and in the evenings go and eat after 9:00 in the evening - a handful of restaurants open then. There is a festive atmosphere at night.
The main attraction here is the Kasbah - the only one in our entire trip that is considered dangerous, and therefore need to go with a guide. There are only a handful of guides here (hardly any tourists - we have not seen any to date), and the ones available do not speak English. The option was to venture alone - maybe 5 years ago the decision would have been different, but we opted not to take a chance.
Looking forward to leaving here and onto Morocco.
We were not prepared for the first day. Being Ramadhan, everything (literally) is closed. At 7:00 in the evening we went looking for food, but could not find anything open. Luckily, we were invited by some locals to join them for a traditional meal. We offered to pay them, but they would not accept any money from us. Since then, we are now into a routine - buy stuff from the general store and eat in our hotel room; and in the evenings go and eat after 9:00 in the evening - a handful of restaurants open then. There is a festive atmosphere at night.
The main attraction here is the Kasbah - the only one in our entire trip that is considered dangerous, and therefore need to go with a guide. There are only a handful of guides here (hardly any tourists - we have not seen any to date), and the ones available do not speak English. The option was to venture alone - maybe 5 years ago the decision would have been different, but we opted not to take a chance.
Looking forward to leaving here and onto Morocco.
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Hello Qamar and Salim,
ReplyDeleteReceived your email today when I got home. WOW, did not realize it would be difficult over there. We thought Pemba was bad but now coming to realize it, not at all.
Well, hopefull it was an experience for you and at least Morocco will be much, much better. You will really appreciate when you get there.
That is why we always go to Pemba and then stop and stay in Zanzibar to rejuvinate.
Take care and hope to hear from you soon.
Will say hello to everyone for you.
Love
Gulrose and Shiraz
Edmonton, Alberta