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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Sep 27, 2025 12:00 AM Timgad - far from the beaten track
I was reading about Timgad many years ago and it was long time on my wish list... Romans built 2000 years ago a military colony to control caravans going in and off the Sahara. The stone city was well-planed and once has 60 thousands inhabitants. Today is the property of Algeria and UNESCO placed it on World Heritage list. It is some 45 kms from Batna.
Instead of taking an expensive taxi I took in tje morning city bus for 25 dinars to the long dostance bus station. Minibus charging 70 dinars was waiting there to fill-up. It took us around 1 hour in the traffic to get to the ruins of Timgad. They charge 130 dinars entry fee and the same amount for the little museum with the mosaics and heads inside... But I wanted to see my dream... The cobbled with huge stones main street took me to the world of columns, arches, baths. In front of the forum I turned right to the Arch of Trajan - the best presedved and visible from the distance. Then I went to the Capitol with two 14-m columns remained. Far in the south Bizantine fort did not impressed me, so I went back to the theatre. Her, on the upper seats is probably the best observation point. I was sitting and enjoying sun on the ruins. Few visitors only, no crowds or nasty guides, but like in Djemila - prepare for zero info. One more travel dream came true!
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Sep 26, 2025 12:00 AM In the rain to Batna
It is strange country. Even city maps are not available (Top secret!) and this creates the problems for newcomer. Google maps for this region offers a outdated garbage. What I can recommend now is mapy.com - still not perfect, but better than nothing... In the morning I left a hotel in Setif and took a tram to gare routiere. On Fridays regular buses do not operate, so the only solution was yellow shared taxi - I paid dirty 400 dinars for 2-hours trip to Batna. It was raining all the way. In Batna driver left us on the peripheral bus station. No city bus on holy Friday! Taxi costs hefty 300. There is hotel worth to recommend: Hayat is opposite city theatre. Clean room with bath and breakfast for 3500 dinars (14 euro on the free market). One recepcionist ,Elas speaks fluent English. Batna has little to offer. But I am here for famous Timgad - I hope that tomorrow the weather will be clear!
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Sep 25, 2025 12:00 AM The beauty of Djemila
Expecting storm in the afternoon I wanted go fast to the UNESCO-listed roman ruins of Djemila (some 70 kms). I used local Uber-Yassir, the driver confirmed, price was good, and gthen he wanted almost twice more. Shame!. I went to the bus station an using two consecutive buses (40 dinars to El Eulma and 60 dinars to Djemila)
Entre fee they charge is 130 dinars (65 for seniors). You pay extra 120 if you want to enter small museum.
I spent there 2 hours wondering between basilica, theatre, column-fringed streets and forumns. I saw there no more than 10 other tourists. Landscape with hills around is fantastic, but zero info so bring your maps and guide-book with you. Bring also your passport - police at the gate required it. Sneakers will give more comfort? :). I had fantastic day!
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Sep 24, 2025 12:00 AM Back in Algeria after 46 years!
Yesterday in the evening I took the flight from Lyon to Setif in Algeria. Already on the plane I found Algerian friends. After long paperwork inn imigration control they helped me to find acommodation, change money on free market rate and organize a transport to the town (taxi costs 1000 dinars).
Today the sun is shinning and I had a chance to adjust to the new conditions, take a walk in the center (they have even tram line!) to visit museum and the main mosque. People are nice but most ladies still wear traditional Arab "costumes". After some trials I also managed to install a local SIM card with internet package. Only ooredoo operator offers such a service to foreigners! It cost me 1500 dinars for 40 GB. I am back in Africa on the level about 900 m above the sea - relaxing and enjoying!
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Sep 23, 2025 12:00 AM Marseille - transit only. And then Lyon...
In the morning I disembarked the ship. It is about 1 km from the pier to the port gate where free shuttle bus is waiting (departures every 35 min). It took to the Place Joilliet. From here it is still about 2 km walk (uphill) to St Chales railway Station. I was on time for 11.54 TGV train to Lyon. It is really fast - non-stop. Wow! Booking well ahead I paid just 10 euro for 1,5 h high speed travel. TGV stops in Lyon not in the city center but st the modern airport only. Flying off only in the evening I wanted to leave my pack in the locker and visit the city. Forget it! Shame on you LYS airport. In both terminals they don't have any lockers or left luggage room! I eas forced visit Lyon with my backpack!
They have fast tram from aorport to the city, but they charge hefty 16 euro each way. I'll tel you the secret: you can do the same for 2.30 euro taking local bus E200 or 47 to to Mayzieu ZI tram station and boarding there silver tram T3. It goes, like airport express to Part Dieu station in Lyon.
Lyon have old city between two rivers: Rhone and Saone. Interestin Notre Dame basilica is visible on the hill aboer the bridges. Nice city!
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Sep 22, 2025 12:00 AM Meeting my friend in Barcelona...
Today my ship was docking only half a day in Barcelona but I decided tale the opportunity and meet my friend Jorge. Jorge had a problem to come to cruise terminal so I was walking to see him in the center of the city - more than 2 kms. Imagine that we spent two hours talking about the world and travels under the palms, enjoying the cookies taken from the ship and sipping the rum from Trinidad. I was happy to gift a fancy backpack for the Jorge's son (father can use it too!). Jorge signed for me his book about the wonders of the world full of old, historic black & white pictures. Thank you my friend! I had a great time. It was sunny lovely day!
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Sep 21, 2025 12:00 AM Sunny Alicante
It took us whole night and half of the day to reach the port of Alicante on the Spanish coast. When I was here last time it was cloudy and rainy soI was visiting city under umbrella. Today we are lucky: beautiful sun. I left the ship at 1 pm going directly to the lift taking people to theassive castle Sta Barbara, overlooking the city. Oops! Seniors from EU use it gor free but today cashing machine was broken so everybody was taken for free. Views from the top were great. Then I went by foot down to the old town and to walk the coastal boulevard - probably the nicest in Spain. Great day!
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Sep 20, 2025 12:00 AM Passing Gibraltar
Day at sea. Cloudy weather, bot no rain. In the middle of the day ot was possible to see around more commercial shops and African coast in the distance. It was 4.30 pm when wr were passing the Rock of Gibraltar - still happy that it was daytime! People was partying till the night. At 11pm the ship's cooks offered Magnificent Buffet. But how much you can eat?? Something new on this ship is special offer: a bottle of table wine of your choice for just 11 euro! It is mich less than the drink package!
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Sep 19, 2025 12:00 AM Day in Lisbon
I like picturesque Lisbon! The cruise terminal is located here just steps from old Alfama quarter and it is for me each time to walk narrow, cobbled streets uphill, enjoying the views. Today I was walking to discover new places: Basilica Estrela. National Panteon, St Vincent monastery. More than 10 kms in total but in the afternoon we had beautiful sun and I managed to implement all my plan. Tomorrow we have day at sea and we will be passing Gibraltar Straits. The next port will be Alicante in Spain the day after tomorrow...
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Sep 18, 2025 12:00 AM Vigo in the sun!
Strong sun since the morning. Everybody goes to the open deck to enjoy the view of Vigo - the capital of the Spanish province Galicia. I an first time here! Already at 10.30 I have been ashore. Many fellows paid for the excursions to Santiago de Compostella, I did already Camino de Santiago, so I decided to climb the castle hill for the view, enjoying the sun after stormy days. From the castle it was worth to step down to Plaza Espana to see great "caballos" monument and then - down Gran Via to the modern complex of the railway station. Many shops are hidden here. I bought the 0.7 l bottle of Caribbean rum for just 6 euro. Your health dear friends!!. Tomorrow I will see charming Lisbon again!
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