Carthage - Sidi Bou Said and comparisons with statues

Carthage seems like nothing when you first arrive, but as you explore more you start to get a sense of the scale and grandeur of the place. The best way to get there is to take the train from the Tunis Marine station - just walk past the clock monument down the Avenue Bourguiba (away from the Medina) and youll find it. There are a number of Carthage stations on the train - we chose to get off at Carthage Hanibal station which by name seemed to be the most central. Price was 900 millimes (for two or one? Cant remember). From the station we walked up the hill, turned left and ended up at the visitors center. Admission here gets you access to all the Carthage sites - you buy a ticket and simply flash it at the entrance of each subsequent site you visit. You buy a ticket for a camera also - we just bought one and made sure only one camera was out at any one time ....

The main site of the visitors center was ok, but not the best ruins experience Ive ever had. The view over the city of Tunis and surrounding ocean, lake and mountains is worth it tho. There's a small museum there, which is worth visiting. Youll undoubtedly get accosted by "guides" wanting to show you the relics and then asking for a gift in return - worth it if you want a running commentary of what you are seeing, but I chose to be left alone. Also, the toilets there are free to use - but youll have to remind the attendant of this fact when you leave the bathroom as he/she will want his gift and try hard for it.

The best Carthage ruin in my opinion is the thermals down by the ocean. The ruins there are extensive, and give you a great feel for how important the baths were to the Carthagians and later the Romans. The presidential palace is closeby here, and youll see signs saying "no photos to be taken in the direction of the palace". There's a heavy police presence also on the small roads outside.

Sidi Bou Said is towards the end of the TGM train line - this little village is a very picturesque place - the blue and white contrast of buildings and doors make you feel like your in a Greek island village. Lots of opportunities for photographers here - we couldnt help but take tons of pictures of doorways. The food options here are great also - we ended up eating at an outdoor courtyard restaurant called Le Chergui - just as the sun set, the couscous was excellent, as was the little cat who ate with us.





We couldnt resist the chance to do a comparison - apologies if it offends, but this was a huge cack for us at the time ... photo from the Carthage ruins in Tunisia (taken very quickly) ...