Tunis is the capital and largest city in Tunisia. It sits along Lake Tunis, just inland from the Gulf of Tunis. It has a population of approximately 600,000 with 98% being Arab. The country became a republic July 25, 1957. Tunisia is a Muslim country. The center of Tunis is the Medina, a world heritage site. Jasmine is the national flower. 40% of the land is the Sahara desert. Their main source of income is from olive oil and dates (3 million trees).
Carthage was established in 698 AD but came into its hay day in the 12th century when it became the most important city on the Mediterranean Sea. The area called Carthage was the 2nd largest city outside of Rome. It was established by the Phoenicians. It was overtaken by Rome after the 3 Punic Wars.
Today Carthage is a suburb of Tunis with the old archeological areas in and among the current city.
Our tour was to see Carthage. Unfortunately the day was like this, cold and windy, drizzle, cold, heavy downpour, sunny, and then drizzly. Carthage was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
There were 2 main gods that the Phoenicians prayed to the god of fire and the god of fertility. We saw an area that our guide indicated was used to bury the sacrifices. Most were animals, but some were human. We toured 2 different sites.
We then continued on to the main area of Carthage. We saw the various buildings and saw the harbors that made Carthage the prime port and hub for trade and war that it was.
Our next stop was the blue and white city of Sidi Bou Said. We saw their mosque from the outside and then strolled the streets. We climbed to the top of the hill and then did some shopping.
We then returned to the ship which had more holiday decorations.
More adventures to come.
Bette and Bob See the World 
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