Day 1 and I’ve already topped Table Mountain. Low season means no queues just unparalleled views. I’m slightly dizzied by looking up at the equator.

Day 1 and I’ve already topped Table Mountain. Low season means no queues just unparalleled views. I’m slightly dizzied by looking up at the equator.

Took a couple of days to explore Lisbon. Highlights Pena and Geronimoes cathedral

Ticked of my list Sintra Palace, Pena, Geronimoes cathedral, and Belém. Streets are lined with tiled buildings. Highlight was getting into Pena and seeing the high level dining rooms. Ferdinando II had some resolve to see his buildings to completion.

Lovely city, romantic and lively. Met friends at Praca do commerciale, scene of regal assassination in early 1900s. Dined in Pink area. Tomorrow Sintra Palace.

Long day on the beach. Got a decent tan, swam 20 mins for a cave named Benagil. Choppy waters. Did boulevard walk at night. Went to market had a cherry shot in a chocolate cup. Tomorrow Lisbon.

Two hours in the centre. I’m intrigued by the bone churches. Chilling yet perhaps important reminders of goulish colonial past. Ulster Folk and transport anyone?

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

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.

A little tender from the morning hill run but enjoyed the Souk known as the Medina. We bought a tablecloth and a leather bag for mother. The main mosque in Tunis is the fourth holiest site in the Islamic world. It was closed but was nice to see from the outside including minaret.

Brilliant mosaics were the highlight of this day with birds and peacocks showing on the ground. Backdrop of fabulous mountains range and out towards Sicily.

The Tunisian Flag is bright and prominent in most sites. The Romans left a rich legacy 2000 years ago with baths, shops and a theatre. Potentially more untouched than European counterparts and certainly raw in terms of display.