Off again, and this time it is a mission to a new country. An early morning start to get to Vienna airport for the 0705 Austrian flight to Frankfurt; a one hour wait and then off on Algiers with Lufthansa on a B737-500, a rather older aeroplane than the Austrian Airbus 320. I say wait but of course it was spent taking a bus to the terminal from the plane, a bit of a walk, pass through passport control (going out of the Schengen zone) and then another security check and a basic lounge to sit in for 15 minutes before another bus to the very furthest end of the airport toboard the old plane.
The flight was OK as the plane was barely half full; great views of the Alps with lots of snow still to be seen but no camera to hand this time. Two hours and we have passed over Lake Geneva, Marseille, Majorca and Minorca and begun the descent into Algiers.
A great sight with the blue Mediterranean, the green of the fields and the white of the houses and apartments of the city and the snow on the mountains at the back! Sadly, again no camera. Lots of soldiers with guns on the ramp all around every plane which was a surprise – but more to come.
A bit of a slow queue at passport control but a nice smile from the lady who was interested to see an Australian passport. Then more security checks and a man asking for me by name. Not my host but a Government protocol officer. Then straight through customs (hand baggage only for 3 days), and a welcome by two guys from the Nuclear Authority so I thought that was it and now off to a taxi as it is the weekend here (Friday for Muslims).
A lot of fussing about at the check-in but all very good natured, and then my hosts were away for their weekend. Business begins at 0830 tomorrow. The room is on the 6 floor and vast. A balcony with great views of the harbour and the first line of hills - but no snow!
The weather is hot and sunny and as it is midday Friday the air is full of the haunting sounds from the mosques as the imams call the faithful to prayer. I am back in the Arab world again. Maybe after the prayers there will be quiet as everyone takes a lunch and siesta, then later all the shops may open again and people will be out and about.
Hotel is about 40 years old and gives the impression of needing a bit of an upgrade and refurbishment – but it is reputed to have good restaurants; but it has no Wi-Fi! And the business centre appears to be open only at odd times.
So, I have a quiet afternoon to watch snooker from Sheffield (beats CNN) on Eurosport but it is in English, unlike Vienna. Sadly, no sightseeing as I am restricted to the hotel by UN Security rules. Later I will have a look at the gardens and the bar. Turns out walking in the garden is a problem too so that leaves me only the balcony bar with a view of the harbour and Tango beer! Could be a lot worse.............................
Hotel is about 40 years old and gives the impression of needing a bit of an upgrade and refurbishment – but it is reputed to have good restaurants; but it has no Wi-Fi! And the business centre appears to be open only at odd times.
So, I have a quiet afternoon to watch snooker from Sheffield (beats CNN) on Eurosport but it is in English, unlike Vienna. Sadly, no sightseeing as I am restricted to the hotel by UN Security rules. Later I will have a look at the gardens and the bar. Turns out walking in the garden is a problem too so that leaves me only the balcony bar with a view of the harbour and Tango beer! Could be a lot worse.............................
The harbour at night was ablaze with lights and quite a different sight
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