Mediterranean

Day 10 - Mon 22 Oct 07

Up at 07:00 and downstairs for breakfast in the very plush 'le dome' restaurant, so named for the stained glass dome above the restaurant floor. Paid up and walked up to the car hire place, getting 200dn from an ATM on the way. The car hire place is locked up when I arrive, but someone from the cafe across the road sits me down until another woman turns up. She drags me back across the road and does all the paperwork.

I'm now the proud driver of a rather battered Fiat Uno with 78,000km. I head out and put 36Dn of petrol before heading off down the toll road.

I soon realise that due to the distance and the lack of speed of the Uno I'm not going to be able to make it to Tataouine in a sensible time, so Plan B kicks in and instead of heading south I head west towards Kairouen. I can see the sights there and then head back via a big loop north westward. That seems a lot more sensible than driving, driving, driving.

The Hotel Splendid

I dump the car close to the centre of Kairouen and head in on foot to find a hotel. I locate the Hotel Splendid which is in fact just that - and all for 25Dn. I get the car and manage to park it outside the hotel under my window. I dump my stuff in the room, and head into the medina. If you want shoes, then this is the place for you! Interestingly the medina has more living accommodation than shops. Grabbed a stuffed sandwich for a late lunch and find an Internet cafe just around the corner.

Out again at dusk, and I hate to say it, but this place just doesn't do it for me. I think I was expecting a bit more than just one street selling tourist rubbish, and of course shoes. I'll visit the mosque and the water works tomorrow and then head out towards Cekef.