as with any trip, our honeymoon did have a hiccup or two. the principle one was the ordeal that was getting to the ferry which would take us to tunisia. we got up at an ungodly hour so that we could check in by 6am, as our ticket indicated that the absolute latest we could check in was FOUR HOURS before departure. we were fairly certain this would prove to be untrue but we didn't want to take any chances. so we woke up in the wee hours of the morning and made our way down the steps of the hotel. our cab ride to the port took all of 5 minutes and cost us 15 euros in a textbook example of highway robbery. of course we were too tired and out of our element to even attempt arguing so we paid and tried to move on.
we went into the building near the port which looked something like an empty shopping mall. most everything was closed (naturally) so we wandered around for some time, trying to figure out if there was even anyone we could talk to. eventually we saw someone who seemed to be a security agent and he gestured upstairs. we eventually made our way to the ticket window, which, naturally, didn't open until 6am. so much for that four-hour window. after waiting for the window to open and checking in we were told the ship wouldn't start boarding until 8am. great. when we asked where to board the ship the woman gestured vaguely towards the water and said 'number one'.
we made our way past the many closed shops and out the building. we walked down the steps following arrows indicating the numbers of the ports. number one of course was conspicuously absent. on the way down the metal stairs we passed a woman who seemed to be carrying everything she owned, including at least one small dog. we followed the arrows on the ground until they ended abruptly and we were left in a parking lot bounded by a chain link fence. we noticed someone else walking around the curve of the road and so we blindly followed him.. until he got into one of the big rig trucks parked there. cool.
we continued on until we saw some folks milling around with luggage, a good sign, we figured. we sat around with them for a moment, unsure of what to do. eventually some employee (again maybe a security official?) looked at our tickets and pointed for us to go inside the fence toward a building. finally we could see the ship! we entered the building next to it and were again not sure of what to do as nothing was labeled, except for the vending machines that were very clearly marked 'SNACK AREA'. we saw people in line at windows so we went to one where our tickets were examined and we were told to go to the customs line when it opened. as soon as it did everyone who had been waiting rushed to get in line so we jostled in too. after 10 minutes or so in line we reached the front and were told we needed a customs form (makes sense) which the man at the first window had failed to give us. so back to get the form (JR prevented me from yelling at the guy but i was quite cranky and definitely wanted to) and then back in the customs line again.
we thought from here surely it would be smooth sailing (pun intended) but in fact despite being right next to the ship it was not at all clear where to go. we watched a few people but most got into cars that were waiting to board. finally we saw someone walk in on the far side of the ship so we followed suit. we were told to walk to our room and waved off when we said we didn't have a key. we walked and walked down to the opposite end of the ship only to find, as expected, the room was locked. i left JR with the bags and walked all the way back. upon returning i was told there would be someone down the hall. i explained that there wasn't and then i was told to go up to the 8th floor which i did. here i was told our room had been changed and i was given a new key. so back down two flights to retrieve JR and then back up to the 8th floor and down the hall. finally we reached our room. i was incredibly glad we had decided to splurge for a room with a bed. people do fend for themselves, snatching sleep in the many chairs and couches that line the various parts of the ship. although in the case of the woman we saw earlier she decided to park herself and her many belongings in the middle of a stairwell..
once in the room we collapsed on the beds, pulled closed the blackout curtains, and got some much-needed sleep.
we went into the building near the port which looked something like an empty shopping mall. most everything was closed (naturally) so we wandered around for some time, trying to figure out if there was even anyone we could talk to. eventually we saw someone who seemed to be a security agent and he gestured upstairs. we eventually made our way to the ticket window, which, naturally, didn't open until 6am. so much for that four-hour window. after waiting for the window to open and checking in we were told the ship wouldn't start boarding until 8am. great. when we asked where to board the ship the woman gestured vaguely towards the water and said 'number one'.
we made our way past the many closed shops and out the building. we walked down the steps following arrows indicating the numbers of the ports. number one of course was conspicuously absent. on the way down the metal stairs we passed a woman who seemed to be carrying everything she owned, including at least one small dog. we followed the arrows on the ground until they ended abruptly and we were left in a parking lot bounded by a chain link fence. we noticed someone else walking around the curve of the road and so we blindly followed him.. until he got into one of the big rig trucks parked there. cool.
we continued on until we saw some folks milling around with luggage, a good sign, we figured. we sat around with them for a moment, unsure of what to do. eventually some employee (again maybe a security official?) looked at our tickets and pointed for us to go inside the fence toward a building. finally we could see the ship! we entered the building next to it and were again not sure of what to do as nothing was labeled, except for the vending machines that were very clearly marked 'SNACK AREA'. we saw people in line at windows so we went to one where our tickets were examined and we were told to go to the customs line when it opened. as soon as it did everyone who had been waiting rushed to get in line so we jostled in too. after 10 minutes or so in line we reached the front and were told we needed a customs form (makes sense) which the man at the first window had failed to give us. so back to get the form (JR prevented me from yelling at the guy but i was quite cranky and definitely wanted to) and then back in the customs line again.
we thought from here surely it would be smooth sailing (pun intended) but in fact despite being right next to the ship it was not at all clear where to go. we watched a few people but most got into cars that were waiting to board. finally we saw someone walk in on the far side of the ship so we followed suit. we were told to walk to our room and waved off when we said we didn't have a key. we walked and walked down to the opposite end of the ship only to find, as expected, the room was locked. i left JR with the bags and walked all the way back. upon returning i was told there would be someone down the hall. i explained that there wasn't and then i was told to go up to the 8th floor which i did. here i was told our room had been changed and i was given a new key. so back down two flights to retrieve JR and then back up to the 8th floor and down the hall. finally we reached our room. i was incredibly glad we had decided to splurge for a room with a bed. people do fend for themselves, snatching sleep in the many chairs and couches that line the various parts of the ship. although in the case of the woman we saw earlier she decided to park herself and her many belongings in the middle of a stairwell..
once in the room we collapsed on the beds, pulled closed the blackout curtains, and got some much-needed sleep.
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