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| Marsala |
Time to set off in search of a less bumpy anchorage and a decent sized supermarket to stock up with Italian goodies before setting sail for Tunisia. We found the latter but had three more nights rocking and rolling anchored just south of the marina breakwater in Marsala, Sicily. We dinghied ashore, shopped until we dropped and explored the town famed for Garibaldi's landing in 1860 and of course Marsala wine. The elegant historic centre was full of baroque buildings. On our last day we visited the Cantine Florio, leading producers of Marsala wine, for a tour of their extensive cellars followed by a wine tasting. Contrary to what we thought Marsala wine isn't all sweet and we tasted some delicious chilled aperitivo wines accompanied by parmesan and gorgonzola cheese.
Marsala Cantine Florio Marsala
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| The last time we saw our dinghy... |
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| Sailing past the Ribat as we entered Monastir marina |
Disaster then struck. Our dinghy was not where we had left it and was nowhere to be seen. Bastardi! We went into the marina and begged a ride back to the boat. The next morning we set off, dinghy less, on the 140 mile passage to Tunisia managing to sail almost all the way there. We had a small weather window so decided not to stop at Pantelleria on the way. We continued on to Monastir where we arrived the following morning passing the familiar Ribat (as featured in Monty Python's Life of Brian and Franco Zefirelli's Jesus of Nazareth) on our way in. The marina staff greeted us and directed us to the police and customs who were equally as welcoming. A customs lady and policeman then boarded the boat and asked to see some of the various items we had declared. We even got by without being asked for "presents". We had arrived in north Africa and couldn't wait to explore.
Traditionally a fishing port, Monastir is now a major tourist resort. The marina itself is a dusty blue and white affair full of predominantly French boats. It has a nice feel to it and is surrounded by restaurants, shops and even a laundry. Thanks to the laundry lady we discovered after three days that Tunisia is an hour behind Italy! We were now back on UK time. The town itself and all the shops including a daily market are only a ten minute walk away in or around the Medina. We had a wander around the Ribat, originally built in 796 as a coastal fort but subsequently added to, that once protected the Islamic empire from the heathens to the north. It also afforded great views of the marina and town as well as the swathe of hotels dotted along the coast.
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| Ribat, Monastir |
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| Monastir marina |
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| Monastir beachfront |
Time to get on with what we came here for - getting the boat's bottom scrubbed, cleaned and repainted. We had booked in for a three day stay in the boatyard and opted for the first time not to do the work ourselves as the quote we received was so reasonable. Instead we checked into a nearby hotel and let the Tunisian workers get on with it. They worked hard and fast and in no time at all the boat was polished with a couple of fresh coats of antifouling on the bottom and we were back in the water.
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| Ride of a Lifetime looking shiny after her paint and polish job |
We have decided to return in October when it is cooler to go travelling inland and explore the desert, oases, ancient sites and the various delights Tunisia has to offer. No luck finding a dinghy here so back to the computer to continue scouring the ether in the hope of locating one in Malta...
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| Fishing boats in Monastir marina |
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| Monastir |
