The list of three’s

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Sidi Bou Said doors

Anyone who has travelled with me knows that I love to ask about the 3 favourite meals, experiences, countries, activities or some subject each week. The list of threes is fluid and changes regularly after an experience or a meal jumps into number one and displaces the previous favourite. So over three months I have compiled my list of three favourites.

Favourite meals

Injera in any form in Ethiopia comes in at number one. Injera with anything, such good food. My favourite by a mile. Love it so much I could write a whole page on it! The paella in Algeria made by Amine’s mother in Tlemcen, was not only a surprise but also the best paella I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat. Maybe it was due to it being home cooked, or the spontaneous invitation that made it so good. The veg couscous in Kairouan, Tunisia, was amazing and again among the best ever couscous I’d eaten, the Kairouan sandwich Kafteji deserves a special mention here, it was a spicy, oozy, taste sensation and for under $2 amazingly satisfying.

Favourite new friends

Liben in Ethiopia for my one day off the cuff tour. When google maps failed me, I asked a police woman for a coffee shop direction, she knew no English, I was kindly helped by a local, Liben. Being taken to Tomoca coffee shop in Addis Ababa by him was a fabulous bonus, then he offered a city tour, a memorable day, an Ethiopian highlight. Sonya in Algeria for a couple of days of fabulous hospitality, Sonya’s enthusiasm to showcase her country was infectious. Met her at the airport when my flight to D’Janet was cancelled. She made herself available for a day around Algiers and Tipasa, such a joyful day. Nassim in Tunisia initiated a chat on a crowded bus from Sidi Bou Said to Tunis, that turned into some amazing recommendations of places to visit, his knowledge of foodie joints and sites to visit was incredibly helpful.

Favourite days

Perhaps the hardest list to compile, as most days were special. Gorilla trekking in Uganda clearly comes in at number one this was a fabulous day. Being able to spend time with these incredible animals was indeed very special. Closely in a tie for second and third is a day to Tipasa which wasn’t in the initial itinerary so a lovely surprise, the royal mausoleum of Mauritania and Roman ruins were stunning. Tabarka to Bizerte, having three Mediterranean swims and then a lovely hike into Cap Engela was another wonderful day. Honourable mentions were the balloon trip over the Masai Mara, safaris in general, the Star Wars experience, Zanzibar, Ethiopia as a whole, it’s a tough category!

Favourite animals

Easy one - Twiga, giraffes took on a number one fave after my first African trip, they continue at number one, lilac roller birds with their splendid colouring, and the black rhino, are incredible. The safaris showcasing sub Saharan animals are very special. Anyone who goes on a safari seeing these animals in the wild is very fortunate.

Favourite country

Of the countries travelled in this adventure episode, Ethiopia comes in at number one, the people, the culture, the sites! A must explore more country, my visit was too brief. Uganda was fabulous, the animals, rich fertile land and lake Victoria was amazing. It felt like the food basket of sub Saharan Africa, such good locally grown produce. Seeing the start of the white Nile was thrilling! Algeria as a closed country was a big surprise. Everyone there welcomed you, and seeing so few other tourists was fabulous. This is the country I spent the most time in whilst away.

Favourite airlines

Algerian airlines, for their service, punctuality and all internal flights under $40 including all service! Precision air - seriously you could fly with these guys every day just for the food! Including the drinks and the packaged cashews which are incredible! Ethiopian air, international and internal flights, on time, and service. I had quite a few flights this adventure and sadly my Qantas flight home came a sad last, terrible service, food not that great, and uncomfortable seats!

Favourite hikes

A morning hike into the gorillas in Uganda, Vito guiding me and carrying my pack. Waiting a surprise at any corner for the first sight of the boss gorilla of this area, Tinadine. Slippery, heavily forested, amazing guides cutting back thick vines as we hiked in and out, being careful not to step on big gorilla poop, what a treat! A hike in Jinka in Ethiopia to the top of the hill to watch sunset with a surprise flyby of three hornbills made it very memorable. The hot and sweaty hike in Tataouine, Algeria, up to Ksar Tounket was so rewarding. Seeing the Berber dwellings and vacated buildings all built so long ago. Honourable mention to Dougga hiking around the Roman ruins site.

Favourite coffee experience

Tomoca - loved my two visits to two Tomoca coffee cafes in Addis Ababa, they sure know coffee! A fun coffee experience was in Arabic speaking Tataouine, asking in animated charades for a long black coffee in my keep cup, ending up with assistance from a young fellow who learnt English by watching Hollywood movies. The jasmine coffee in Kairaouin was a new taste for me and one I was surprised I enjoyed. Honourable mention goes to Jaipur where coffee is great, with so many new coffee shops springing up this tells the story of the evolving coffee culture there.

Favourite beer

Although I did not drink much or often whilst on the adventure, drinking beer in various countries was an interesting way to compare the countries. Bottled beer - Tusker in Kenya was a winner here, followed closely by St George in Ethiopia, Kilimanjaro beer in Tanzania. Then an honourable one - a nice draught beer in Algeria called Beaufort, I only had one beer in Algeria, whilst sitting in a bar with Sonya, high on a hill in Algiers overlooking the Bay of Algier, it was delightful. I did try a Tunisian red wine too which was pleasant.

Favourite accommodation

A tree house for three nights in Uganda for my birthday treat complete with a verandah overlooking the lake was a delight. Waking to an amazing African sunrise complete with acacia tree in the safari lodge in Omo valley was amazing, and a view overlooking a fort built in the 1500’s and the Mediterranean from the air BNB completed the three top accommodation.

Favourite museums

Addis Ababa - “Lucy lives here”, it’s a great museum, only small but well presented and seeing Lucy after reading about her was fabulous. Doha - Qatar national museum was amazing, no expense spared here, it’s swish, modern and amazing. It’s over a few floors and in a very geometric building, such a find. Tunis - Tunisia’s Bardo museum, fascinating to say the least, amazing mosaic works and so fabulously presented in an old Bey palace was a treat.

Favourite playlists

I was shared some playlists in Algeria, I really hadn’t listened to much Arabic music, the shared list gave me new music to listen to a couple of which are now on my favourites. Ethiopian jazz, Rasta, chillhop and lofi music has also popped into my playlist. African music Jambo bwana is included in the favourites after the Zanzibar dhow cruise. It’s great to have some new music recommended by locals.

Favourite books read on the journey

“We are all birds of Uganda” by Hausa Zayyan, set the scene for Uganda. The description was surprisingly accurate, I felt once in country the author had described it so well. The richness of the countryside was so apt. “The first Man” by Albert Camus set the scene for Algiers, an enjoyable read indeed. “Home going” by Yaa Gyasi has set the scene for west Africa - put that destination on the list for 2025!

Now it’s time to give the backpack a short rest whilst preparing for the next adventure. Stay tuned, it’ll be here before you know it. Thanks for the messages and responses, much appreciated. Dehna Hun for now.

And just like that it’s over.