Djerba, Tunisia 🇹🇳

Phil's Journey through Journalism

Where to start. Home of Star Wars and fun in the sun beach hotels. The Raddison Blu has a great beachside location with private security and a health spa.

Last day in Sidi Bou Said meant early lunch then short internal flight
Lamb a little like Turkish Kebab

The flight from Sidi Bou Said was short and if not a little bumpy on landing but wild flamingoes on the drive in made the trip worthwhile instantly. Keep posted.

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Sidi Bou Said, Tunis

Phil's Journey through Journalism

Welcome to Sidi Bou Said, the Santorini of Tunisia. Among the blue doors and white roofs are 500 year old houses full of wares and ornately decorated with Islamic inscription. I stop for a mint tea, buy a Chechia, hand made rug and an olive tree decoration.

I’ve been welcomed by many, not too pressured though I’m well used to the bargining game. The views to Carthage are great. Potentially steer clear of the cheap jewellery but the ceramics are well renowned. It is already only day one and I’ve been tempted by leather bags. Temperatures of 20oC is not too warm though hot enough to be out in shorts and nylon shirt.

Yellow and Blue doors are works of art
View towards the Roman ruins of Carthage
A Medina in the town centre
Shops hide rich architectural designs

Carthage, Bardo Museum and Djerba are all to play for.

St Patrick’s homeland and the Lecale way

Phil's Journey through Journalism

Took a visit on a Monday morning to Downpatrick. Failed attempt to get to the new Athlos store though the Quoile River proved a remedy to intense work patterns.

Stroll along the Quoile was relaxing

Highlights included St Patrick’s grave overlooking the Mourne Mountains, Quoile Castle ruins and a male-female duck pair. Work being completed on Jane’s launch meant I had to reroute towards Downpatrick Mound.

Bridge on the Quoile is well preserved
The area is well signposted

Ksiaz Castle, Walbryzch

Phil's Journey through Journalism

Spent a day an hour south of Wroclaw. Enjoyed learning about transport gold tunnels from Germany during WWII and looking at a selection of stimulating art.

Ksiaz Castle

In particular, I enjoyed paintings of Willhem I at his grandfather’s grave. The exhibition was short but focused mainly on the Hochbergs. I was a little surprised about the condition of some of the paintings. Certainly the tapestries in the UK Royal residence compete with the condition though themes quite adept.

What the interior may lack is made up for by the articheture/facade. Also worth a visit and perhaps overshadowing the zamek is the 1794 battle of Raclowice panorama. See below.

Battle scene is a 360 delight

This afternoon/evening I visited the shopping centre Wrotslawia. Like most cities it is modern and warm with a food hall. I visited Guess, Colombia and a couple of Polish outlets. I finished my day with dinner at the Maddalena with a view of the Odra River.

Wroclaw, Poland

Phil's Journey through Journalism

Neon parks, an epic battle panorama and many ornate Baroque roofs have enamoured me and I’ve only been here one day. Early this morning I went for a run around the city and despite my track back function on Garmin, I arrived back at the hotel in a taxi 2 minute taxi. The subtlety of the street names is confusing on one hand, endearing in another much unlike Moscow’s ‘shosse’.

My highlight was potentially a full plate of ribs at a communist nostalgia student cafe near the Rynek district centre. See picture.

Commie restaurant Complete with Amstrad comparative Amiga.

At night the place comes alive. During the day navigation is made possible only by Church steeples poking their heads above 60s flats.

Churches in the Tumsk Ostrov region
Rynek Square during the day

Tomorrow I will visit Ksiaz Castle and sample some of Poland’s greatest architectural feats. I’m also looking forward to some shopping in Wrotslawia and a nice dinner out on the Odra!

Benevenagh, Limavady

Phil's Journey through Journalism

A short jaunt up a rainbow trout-filled mountainside. The hardest part is finding the start. Once located, a winding forest path takes you North West towards Donegal. Despite some ageing signs, getting lost is still possible. Follow walks NI to the letter. Especially watch out for high winds atop the coll.

Sign at start is misleading! Don’t follow the sign.

Views are spectacular. I can see why the Ulster Gliding club use this area for flights. The winds are very dangerous. While taking photos I could imagine my rucksack being pulled a little too much to the North-side! Total climbing time 2hrs (3 miles).

View on descent is as good as it is on the summit
Sheer Cliff drop.