The Big Adventure - Algeria

The most adventurous part of our trip happened on May 16 when we flew (via Air France) from Marseille to Algiers, Algeria.  Algeria is not a place that most people go, especially Americans, but we had made a close Algerian connection in the fall of 2012 when Rafik Medjoudj came to study with me for a few months and lived with us.  He was like a family member and we grew very close to him.  He is not an Arab, but a Berber of the Kabylie people.  This group of people are Muslim but quite liberal and very ethnically diverse with much northern European blood.  There central city is Bejaia, a port city of Algeria east of Algiers.  These people lived traditionally in the Atlas mountains which surround Bejaia.  We had obtained our Algerian visas quite easily from the consulate in New York (by mail of course) and took the quick flight across the Med for six nights (five in Bejaia and one in Algiers).  We were hosted by Rafik's university and family.

Rafik and his oldest brother Rabah (Rafik is the youngest of 11 children!) picked us up in Algiers and we took the four or so hour drive to Bejaia.  Some of this was by good highway but the latter part of the trip was over a two lane road that was busy and not the best.  We stopped for a rest stop along the way and enjoyed the scenery and sunny weather.  The special treat was the series of stork nests with the storks ensconced in them along the way. 

The surprisingly modern and comfortable airport of Algiers

Our very special Algerian - Rafik Medjoudj

His eldest brother, the friendly and urbane Rabah Medjoudj

Alice and Randy were so happy to be reunited with their Algerian "son" Rafik

One of the storks with its massive nest along the road to Bejaia

Randy, Rafik and Rabah enjoy a cold drink along our route

Our hotel in Bejaia (the Royal) was basic but clean and had a good restaurant (as we were to find out through frequent meals there).  There was wireless internet (yea!) and AC.  The bed was hard and the pillows lumpy but the water pressure was good and size of the room was O.K.  In short, it was a big step down after the comforts of Europe but it was acceptable.  We were surprised that the concept of helping with luggage has not yet reached Algeria - you are on your own to get your stuff to the room.  And, should you be mobility challenged (we are not), you are out of luck!

The Hotel Royal in Bejaia - we were a little surprised at its basic quality but found it reasonably agreeable after we got used to the change in standards from the U.S. or Europe

We took a brief evening city tour by car with Rabah and Rafik then ate dinner at the hotel with Rabah (Rafik left for home).  The dinner was tasty and we sampled our first bottle of Algerian wine. 

The port of Bejaia in the evening - the port is both a container port on one side and a petroleum port on the other

Another view from a stop in the old city above

Alice and Randy prepare to enjoy their adventure in Algeria

Alice was happy to expand her wine knowledge by sampling this red from Medea - not the finest but definitely drinkable.  We finished it all.

Alice enjoyed her hearts of palm salad at the Hotel Royal restaurant

The fish soup was made even tastier by the addition of French baguette topped with garlic and harissa mayonnaise - yum!

The fish platter that we shared for dinner - very delicious grilled fresh fish from the Med