Friday 24^th April – Bizerte, Tunisia (More Like Africa)

37:16.424N 9:52.819E

Today was quiet (the wind much lighter than expected), hot and sunny, with blue skies, much more what we expected from Africa.

This morning we did our regular trip to the market for today's dinner (really liking this) and then went off to the aquarium with Otwin and Rosi.  On the way out of the harbour we stopped to look at a very large twin masted superyacht that had just come in from Mallorca.

The aquarium entrance fee was the equivalent of 25 pence for adults and half price for children.  The first tank had a large turtle in it.  Then once inside, it was beautifully done with small dark rooms with tanks in, and low arches connecting the rooms.

In terms of specimens, it was like walking around a tropical fish shop in the UK and I recognised a lot of the fish from having my own tank.  However, there were a few exceptions that are not usually seen in a tropical fish shop, like my favourite room that had everything I love to eat - lobsters, crayfish, mussels on ropes, oysters.  My overall favourite was the hermit crab that I obviously christened Sebastian from 'The Little Mermaid'.

From the top of the building we had some great views out across the Vieux Port and surrounding buildings.  It was great to see the town in bright sunshine, the colours were much more vivid.

After the aquarium we walked around the Vieux Port and then into the old medina, exploring a bit further into it.  As it was a Friday, many of the men were at prayer either in the streets or in the mosques.  Up near the Spanish Fort we looked around the large amphitheatre.  We came back via a patisserie and bought a few pastries which we ate on the hoof as we headed for our usual tea shop for some peppermint tea.

On the way back to the boats, Otwin and Richard could not resist the donner kebabs (I think that's what they're called) at one of the cafes we pass on the way into town – they have been eyeing them up each time we have gone past.  Anyway, they had a bit of everything with them and they came with chips too so I was able to help there.  We went to sit on the beach to eat them as the shop is very near the beach.

We then came back to Pyxis for the afternoon and I even donned my bikini and sat painting in the cockpit whilst Richard read a book on deck.  This is more like it!

This evening I had a shark steak that I had bought fresh in the market this morning.