NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA
Life In Tunisia For British Expats
Hello and welcome to the site which is dedicated to English speaking expats resident in Tunisia.
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LIVING IN TUNISIA
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FRIENDS OF NO MARMITE Sousse (5)
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 www.nomarmiteintunisia.co.uk NEW - JOIN US! |
EXPAT GROUPS AND MEETINGS Sousse/Port el Kantaoui Every Thursday Morning, |
LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM TUNISIA
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If Mosquitoes Or Other Insects Are Making Your Life A Misery, Choose From One Of Our Natural Methods To Eliminate These Pests!
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MAISON DES JEUNES, TUNISIA
Finding It Hard To Keep Your Children Entertained During The Long, Hot Summer In Tunisia? Too Hot For The Beach? 
Find Out About The Maison Des Jeunes And What Is On Offer For Your Child This Summer? |
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RAMADAN 2010
The month of Ramadan will commence at a different time each year, but for the next few years will always begin during the summer! This is because it is calculated using the Hijri Calendar which is based upon the appearance of the new crescent moon. Each month will begin upon this sighting. Whilst the Gregorian calendar, based upon the sun’s movements, tells us that the year is 2010, the Muslim Hijri Calendar states that the year is 1431, having began in the year AD 622 when the Prophet Muhammad emigrated to Medina. Interestingly the Islamic years, being 11 days shorter in the year than the Gregorian calendar, are slowly catching up! But it will be many years before the two Although the month of Ramadan in Tunisia, as in all Muslim countries, is about fasting, it is also a time when the whole country becomes obsessed with eating! All advertisements sandwiched between Tunisia’s famous and most looked-forward to television specials, show food, food and more food! Special markets line the streets of every town offering an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, home baked breads and traditional fruit juices!
Thoughts were raised this year about how the tourism season in Tunisia may be affected, with the month of Ramadan starting in the height of the summer, meaning many Muslims heading to their home countries for the special month. The tourism ministry indicated that many hotels would serve Suhoor, the pre-dawn breakfast, musical evenings would be laid on and swimming pools and beaches would stay open at night so people could make the most of the time when they were not fasting. Taxis and buses would also be provided to ferry tourists from their hotels to nearby mosques for the special night-time prayers offered during R Five days into Ramadan the evening crowds and lack of seats in Nabeul’s local cafes, prove that spending time in Tunisia at this time of year is proving to be just as popular! TUNIS 2050 Each year in Tunisia, the month of Ramadan brings new episodes of the favourite soaps shown only during Ramadan, as well as new series which prove to be just as infectious! Creating a storm this year and currently broadcasting on Hannibal TV is Tunis 2050! Said to be similar to America's 'The Simpsons,' and made entirely in 3D, the programme shows a humorous insight into life in Tunis in the year 2050. Shown on this page are some of the characters creating much laughter amongst Tunisia's citizens! Although set 40 years in the future, the characters have not moved on and still live by the same traditions and think in the same way as today's Tunisians, even still encountering obstacles, such as the infamous 'Error 404 page not found' computer message!
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It’s that time of the year again and what a scorcher! The longest days and hottest time of the year is upon us in Tunisia and in 2010 this coincides with the holy month of Ramadan! For many in Tunisia, this will mean up to 15 hours of abstaining from food or drink during daylight hours! Astonishingly compared to other parts of the world Tunisia seems to be getting off lightly! Muslims in the Arctic Circle will be facing 17 hour or longer days, and in a few years, when Ramadan falls during the solstice, there will be 24 hours of daylight for some!
coincide. The 1st day of the 5th month of C.E. 20874 in the Gregorian calendar will also be (approximately) the 1st day of the 5th month of AH 20874 of the Islamic calendar!
A traditional Tunisian dish for eating at the meal of Suhoor (the meal before daylight begins) is Al Masfouf. This is couscous, but with a delicious twist! Instead of the traditional meat, chickpeas and peppers, it is made with hot milk, butter, sugar, raisins and nuts or dates! It is not unusual also to see Tunisian women preparing the mixture for vast amounts of sweet cakes and biscuits and taking them on huge trays to cook in the ovens at the local bakery, ready for celebrating the special night in Ramadan, Laylat al Qadr, and for the festivities of Eid el Fitr at the end of Ramadan!
amadan. 
Even if you have not yet mastered the Tunisian dialect, to admire the visions of a futuristic high-rise city of Tunis in 2050, is an absolute must!|
Tunisia Grows Great Olives! Many British expats living in Tunisia have olive trees in their garden! A neighbour, or local farm worker will often ask if they can pick these olives for you and present you with a couple of bottles of extra virgin olive oil, made from your own olives! |
Tunisia is the 4th largest producer of olive oil in the world having sold for 100s of years to other countries in the Mediterranean. However this usually gets packaged under that country's label, so whilst you think you are tasting olive oil from Italy for example, it could have actually been "Made in Tunisia!" TunisOfficial - Tunisia Is The 5th Destination In The World For Clubbing!
Now Aiming For The Reputation As Number One!
International DJs from all corners of the world will descend on Tunisia this summer!
Names such as Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery, Marcus Schulz and the top 3 DJs in the world in order, Sven Vath (1), Tiesto (2) and Paul Van Dyk (3) will all be performing during the months of June to August 2010, in night clubs in Hammamet such as Bora Bora and Calypso!
Sven Vath - The World's No. 1 DJ
In Hammamet Summer 2010
Officially number 5 destination in the world for clubbing after the UK, Greece, USA and Spain (the number one destination,) it has not gone unnoticed that the clientele attacted to Tunisia's nightclubs think nothing of spending 300 Euros and upwards per evening, all extremely encouraging for tourism
in Tunisia! Hotels in Tunisia are hoping to encourage "Clubbing Weekends" to further enhance Tunisia's excellent reputation!
All encouraging news for local expat DJ, Neil Hornigold, who recently emigrated from the UK to the village of Beni Khiar near Nabeul. Neil will be djing at the new beach club, Nomadz, operating on the sands of Hammamet Yasmine, opposite the Mouradi Hotel. Catch him, afternoons and evenings until 11.00 pm!
Neil Hornigold
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Chott El Jerid Tunisia
The team, led by Dr Felipe Gomez from the Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC) in Madrid, in collaboration with Jamel Touir from Sfax University, a specialist on sedimentology of the Sabkhas (the Arabic name for salt flat deposits in deserts,) will drill down to a depth of three metres to study the structure and mineralogy beneath the surface and to collect samples for microbiological analysis. The project, which links planetary scientists from more than 100 laboratories and institutes in Europe and around the world, has been organised by the Europlanet Research Infrastructure. The Europlanet project, offers scientists access to a range of planetary analogues - places on Earth that resemble environments found on other planets and moons in our Solar System - to test out instrumentation for future missions and to understand more about how geological systems observed on places like Mars and Titan are formed and evolve. Chott el Jerid is a seasonal lake that is completely dry for most of the year. Its sun-baked surface, composed of a hard crust of sodium chloride, conceals sources of underground water and the area has a vivid red colour due to the high iron content. This environment appears to resemble closely layered deposits of chloride salts discovered at Martian high latitudes by recent missions, such as Mars Odyssey, using data from Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It is said that the new site at Chottt el Jerid will be a unique facility for European planetary scientists!
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Nine scientists and geologists are currently analysing one of the most Mars-like places on Earth, Chott el Jerid in South West Tunisia, in preparation for future missions to the Red Planet! Studies will be made to seek 
CARREFOUR MARKET NABEUL
DRAWS IN THE CROWDS!
More shops...More choice....Better prices?? The opening of Carrefour Market on Wednesday 7th April 2010, in Nabeul saw thousands of expectant Nabeuliens all wondering and hoping for exactly the same thing!
If you didn't mind fighting the crowds, or the security staff on the door checking every single bag and every single receipt didn't ruffle your feathers, you were rewarded with two floors of great shopping! The Carrefour staff who were spotted spying in Monoprix a month ago (you know who you are!!!) certainly did their homework and although not as large as the hypermarket in Tunis, it certainly offers some interesting and welcome choices!
The Opening Of Carrefour Market, Nabeul, Draws In The Crowds!
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THE GOLDEN EYE CAVE |
Lying 3000 metres deep in the Sarej Mountain, the second highest in Tunisia, in the region of Siliana is one of the geological wonders of Tunisia! In 1615 a very wealthy man lived in Tunis in a magnificent home constructed with marble and alabaster stones! He was described as very short with little hair, a swarthy face, and beard. He spoke little and was almost always swearing! He was drunk from morn till night!
His name was John Ward and he was born and bred in Faverham, Kent, England!
Later converting to Islam and changing his name to Yusuf Reis, he has also been known as 'The Arch Pirate Of Tunis,' having pillaged, plundered and traded in slaves!
The slave markets of Tunis and Algiers were full of Christian mariners for sale, numbering 32,000 of them in 1632, 3,000 being English. Many never saw home again and settled in these countries!
John Ward lived in his palace in Tunis until the age of 70, dying of the plague in 1622!
Opération Plage Propre 2010 Congratulations to Raf Raf is situated in the region of Bizerte in the North of Tunisia. Yet to be discovered by many Brits, it is extremely popular amongst Tunisians, having spectacular cliff top views from the town down to its stunning beach of pale golden sands!
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NABEUL EXPATS
Brooks Cafe, Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Nabeul, 25th February 2010
Thursday 2
5th February 2010, we finally got together, spurred on by the success of the regular Thursday lunch dates of the British expats in Sousse! We are hoping to make it a regular thing, so any expats living in or around Nabeul, or anywhere else in the country and perhaps visiting for the day, who would like to come along, just email us here at No Marmite In Tunisia, and let us know.
nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr
REGULAR MEETUPS FOR BRITISH EXPATS IN THE SOUSSE AREA
Join British expats every Thursday in the Sousse area for coffee, lunch and social activities!
Mid November 2009 and they are still enjoying Port El Kantaoui cafe life in glorious sunshine!
THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE SNOW OF SWITZERLAND
IN TUNISIA
Most, when thinking of Tunisia, conjure up visions of exotic, hot, Saharan desert sands! Few would believe that by travelling to the opposite end of Tunisia's beautiful and diverse country
, would mean stumbling across a mountain resort resembling a Swiss Alpine village! Ain Draham, with a name meaning 'a source of money,' is a spectacularly, attractive town built 1000 metres above sea level by French colonialists. There are houses with pitched, red roof tiles and dense forests of cork and oak, full of game, including wild boar, and at one time even lions and panthers, attracting a very different type of visitor, wishing to take part in the regular hunting season!
Yesterday, January 11th 2010, the town was covered with snow! Ain Draham holds the national record in Tunisia, with 2 metres of snow recorded in 2005. Many Tunisians even travel there to enjoy winter activities such as skiing! Sportsmen in search of pristine air, also regularly visit the town's fully equipped international sports centre which has attracted high level Tunisian and international football, as well as handball teams!
A town, still waiting to be discovered by many, is yet another jewel in Tunisia's crown!
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN TUNISIA
Wedding dress hire collection available for purchase. See the page, Noticeboard
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DISCOVER MAHDIA! In the 10th century Mahdia, for 50 years, was the capital of one of the Muslim world's most important line of rulers, the Fatimids! Ruins of their ancient port can still be seen hugging Mahdia's coastline, gradually being washed away into the sea! Jenny and Frank from Nottingham live there for the winter months of the year. Discover what else Mahdia has to offer by reading Jenny's report and the new report Christmas in Mahdia! http://www.nomarmiteintunisia.co.uk/mahdia.htm
FASCINATING KERKENNAH! Kerkennah was a place of exile with prisoners shipped over there for centuries! The islands were originally called Cercina as legend claims that the witch-goddess Circe was supposed to have imprisoned Odysseus there, believing him too handsome to let go! Furthermore, it is also home to one of Tunisia's oldest native population, the Amazigh. They blended first with the Phoenicians and later with the Romans. These are just a few of the fascinating facts that have led an Australian television channel SBS TV to broadcast a 30 minute documentary this week on the islands! The documentary showcased the history of ancient Mediterranean civilisations, as well as the islands' strategic position which has been explored by famous figures, tourists, researchers and photographers namely from Greece and Malta! A major source of living for the inhabitants of Kerkennah is fishing, said to be sometimes collected using palm branches, as well as octopus. The Festival du Poulpe (Octopus Festival) is normally held during the Spring (2010 this may be changed to December) and the Festival de la Sirène (Mermaid Festival) is held in the Summer. For more pictures of Kerkennah, view our page, Our New Life In Kerkennah! http://www.nomarmiteintunisia.co.uk/ournewlifeinkerkennah.htm |
PROMOTING THE TUNISIAN CHECHIA
The Chechia is the close-fitting traditional red skull cap worn in Tunisia. The history of the Chechia in Tunisia dates back five hundred years, to the time when Andalusian 
Arabs arrived from Spain. A cousin of the European beret, the head piece comes in several types and colours, but only the Tunisian Chechia is red in colour.
Before Tunisia's independence in 1956, all civil servants wore the Chechia. The industry is now in severe decline, despite attempts in the 1990s to revitalise it by manufacturing new varieties in different colours. Wearing the Chechia is now typically confined to holidays and religious occasions, or is associated with the elderly! Figures show that the number of Chechia makers, which used to exce
ed 100, has fallen to fewer than 50 craftsmen!
Discounts of between 5 to 20% were offered from 15-30 November 2009, to promote the Chechia, in the second traditional Chechia promotional campaign, to encourage Tunisians to buy more traditional products! Every year, March 16th in Tunisia marks National Traditional Industries and National Dress Day, when all civil servants wear traditional dress, including the Chechia!
This summer, 2010, Tunisia will organise 'The International Festival Of Chechia.' Programmed in, are carnivals, stage shows, theatrical events, an operette, as well as lectures and documentaries on the subject. During the festival Tunisia will also attempt to enter the 'Guinness World Records,' by creating the largest Tunisian Chechia! The event is set to visit different countries, starting with France and Spain in future years!
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RESTORATION OF TUNISIA'S MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
Toujane, Taoujout and Zraoua are three mountain villages included in the project of The National Heritage Institute (INP) which is to preserve Arab and Berber specificities, including religious monuments, as well as integrating them into the tourist track! Works will focus particularly on building walls throughout the mountain slopes to prevent landslides, as well as the paving of the main streets of these three localities. Zraoua Well worth a visit, as these spectacular spots are so very different and seem a world away from the more well-known and popular resorts of Sousse or Hammamet, the villages are strategically located on the map of new mountain roads linking tourist attractions and archaeological sites to southern Tunisia.
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SNOW IN TUNISIA?
Snow appeared for the first time of the winter in Tunisia yesterday, (but only fake) on the set of Hors La Loi!
"Off set," the skies were as blue as usual!
FILMING CONTINUES IN TUNIS
HORS LA LOI BY RACHID BOUCHAREB
Filming continued in Tunis this week of the movie Hors La Loi by Rachid Bouchareb.
Following the lives of three Algerian brothers after the Massacre of Setif in 1945, the story tells of the fight for the independence of their country! Expats Katrina Benna and Sue Ellen Reyes Johnson are pictured on the set, in scenes from the 1950s with the actor of numerous well-known films, Jamel Debbouze.
Expats Katrina Benna (right) And Sue Ellen Reyes Johnson (left) On The Set Of
"Hors La Loi" With The Actor Jamel Debbouze Filming Taking Place In Tunis
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Djebba National Park, Tunisia
If this photograph looks familiar, it is perhaps because this picturesque area, located in the district of Beja, in the North-West ofTunisia, is not unlike the Cheddar Gorge and its caves in Somerset, England! Try climbing to the top of Djebel Goraa, just a little over 900m, on the steps built into the cliff face, for superb views over Beja Plain. In May 1903, the missionary society, The White Fathers erected a statue of the Virgin Mary on a high ledge on the cliff, to create the "Notre Dame of Goraa!" The statue survived right up until 1998, but is now locked away in a concrete bunker under the cliff face, with a broken arm, following the attempted theft by some young bright spark, who dropped the statue after being surprised by the park warden! |
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RENTREE SCOLAIRE
Although the delightful sunny days of the long Tunisian summer seem to go on forever, Tuesday, September 22nd was finally the start of the new school year! Cameras and camcorders were at the ready to record the moment, especially for the 6 year olds starting in Year 1! The Tunisian Government has allocated 300 million dinars for the new school year, including 50 million dinars for the recruitment of 4000 teachers, trainers and primary school teachers, 23 million dinars for extension works and 50 million dinars for the creation of new educational establishments! The Education and Training Minister Mr Hatem Ben Salem also made it top of his agenda to call in on several schools to check on preventive measures for H1N1, as well as viewing a pilot project in Soukra, Ariana, intended to provide the most brilliant students with close guidance and advanced training!
Expats all over Tunisia are now breathing a huge sigh of relief and enjoying the peace and quiet after the long summer break, extended this year to fit in the Eid celebrations after Ramadan! |
CHECK THIS OUT!
Kite surfing in Tunisia has arrived! The extreme sport, taking the world by storm and one of the hottest crazes around, is now becoming a "must" for expats in the Tunis area! Office, bank and embassy staff are spending their weekends taking lessons with Francesco Corte's kite surfing school, the Blanko Kitesurf Club in Gammarth.
A websit
e in Italian, English and French describing the location, sport, beach bar and regular soirèes, means there is no excuse not to both keep fit and have a great social life at the same time! http://www.blankokitesurfclub.com
Facebook users can become a fan of the Kitesurf club and keep up-to-date with all the latest events and happenings! A packed-weekend, planned for the end of Ramadan, included a barbecue on Friday 18th September, tonight's event is "Hat night" on Saturday 19th September, a cocktail party with a prize of a bottle of wine for the best hat and an "Eid Mubarak party" from 12.30 pm on Sunday 20th September.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=94121516758
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New Article On Tunisia |
FUNNY TUNISIA!
The month of Ramadan in Tunisia, brings with it an excellent choice of television programmes, especially comedy! 2009 also saw many unforgettable advertisements, with the prize undoubtably going to the creators of the publicity for the soft drink Boga Cidre! Starring the actor Dhafer el Abidine, the actual filming of the advert was interupted by an elderly lady, who preceded to reprimand the star for his womanising ways, acted out by his character in a local soap opera! It has yet to be determined if this was just a publicity stunt or the dear, little, old lady had actually got carried away with the storyline from his show!
Both the hilarious adve
rt, showing an attractive, young lady stealing Dhafer's can of Boga Cidre and the video of the old lady giving him a piece of her mind can be viewed on Facebook, using the following link :- http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1109913516838&oid=61616718043
La Presse, Tunisia's daily newspaper also carried the joke one step further by publising an advertisement in the small ads, entitled SOS PERDUE (SOS LOST,) asking for assistance in retrieving the can of Boga Cidre! To attract attention the ad was created to seem like it had been encircled in pen and the contact led to the website where a competition was held to find the Boga Cidre with the prize being a day on the film set with the actor himself!
http://www.bogacidre.com
RAMADAN IN TUNISIA
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JET2.COM |
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THE TUNISIAN MACHMOUM The intoxicating smell of the Machmoum, made from the flower “Fell,” and the Arabian Jasmine tree, unique to Tunisia, is the scent that Tunisians believe, “Feeds The Feelings!” FAST FACTS
It is impossible to be in Tunisia in the summer without spotting the Jasmine arrangers, found abundantly in differ Sold on the beaches, in cafes, or even at road junctions, and produced specifically for the Tunisian bride and groom on their wedding day, many of the vendors are often young boys anxious for extra pocket money and usually dressed traditionally with a bouquet of Jasmine pinned between the top of the ear and head. They carry and exhibit their wares in a wicker basket placed on their head or carried under their arm. To celebrat |
ent towns and villages! Whole families, men, women and children alike are kept busy throughout the entire summer 
e this flower, the city of Radés, near to Tunis, devoted a festival for 15 years. In 2007, Ferjeni Alaghrbi prepared a giant bouquet, which was recorded in the Guiness Book of Records! It took a whole day to prepare for a giant "Machmoum" and the cost of production was estimated to be about 200 dinars! HINDI - TUNISIA'S WONDER FRUIT!
August in Tunisia is the month to try Hindi, the fruit from the Cactus plant! Sometimes known as Prickly Pear or La Figue de Barbarie, the Hindi can be found from roadside sellers or green grocers throughout Tunisia! With a refreshing taste, very similar to Passion Fruit, Hindi also has a host of health benefits. Just 100 grams of this fruit will provide the following :-
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27% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C
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24% copper
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7-8% of magnesium
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6-11% of iron
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6% of calcium
Known to reduce the blood sugar level, cholestrol and used to treat diarrhea and diabetes, the leaves contain a gel said to be an
excellent healing and anti-wrinkle cream!
Our builder and a laughing 12 year old boy, taught me today, to no longer be terrified of the fruit! To harvest the fruit, simply pick with covered hands, brush with some leaves and wash the spines away with water. Top and tail and then peel and enjoy!
LABLABI IN TUNISIA
For those who like their food spicy and the hotter the better, try Lablabi, a dish eaten throughout Tunisia!
Made from a broth of chickpeas, bread pieces are broken up and soaked into the dish. Topped with cumin, sometimes an egg and lashings of raw garlic, as well as huge spoonfuls of the traditional, fiery chilli paste, harissa, this dish is definitely not for the faint hearted!
For expats and visitors living in, or visiting the town of Beni Khiar near to Nabeul, dishes of Lablabi, priced at only 1 dinar 500, (2009) are served throughout the day at the popular beach cafe with its lawned, family garden and handy beach access!
Customers will, traditionally, often break up their own bread into their bowl, in the cafe, whilst waiting for the broth to be added!
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SUMMER IN TUNISIA 2009 Residents and regular visitors to Tunisia will know that summer in Tunisia is not only about soaking up the sun on its miles and miles of glo |
rious sandy beaches!
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HAPPY TUNISIA - JULY 2009!
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In a report recently published by British think-tank "New Economics Foundation" (NEF), Tunisia is ranked 29th out of 143 countries in the world, according to the institution's "Happy Planet Index." 
ssessment of peoples' happiness, which is measured by life expectancy (health), environment protection (rational utilisation of natural resources) and life satisfaction (living quality), is calculated on the basis of a score ranging between 1 and 10 from individual surveys carried out on a sample of population.
32 degrees in Hammamet today - 23 May 2009!
Springtime In Beautiful Nabeul, 24th March 2009
Lovely To Walk Through Sousse Medina, With The Weather Hotting Up Nicely!
19th March 2009
The National Handicrafts And Dress Day - March 16th 2009
Friday 13th March 2009 saw school festivities celebrating the National Handicrafts And Dress Day! Children at a Beni Khiar Nursery School were treated to traditional singing and dancing, cakes and a pretty, little woven basket as a gift!
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* New For 2009 * |
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VILLAGE D'ENFANTS AKOUDA SOS |
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SPENDING THE WINTER IN TUNISIA?
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DIY IN TUNISIA!
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BRICORAMA - 2010
Tradesmen not up to scratch? Missing those Sunday afternoons browsing at B & Q? Tunisia's first DIY store, Bricorama, creating many new employment opportunities and a lot more choice for the house and garden, all under one roof!
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SOLAR ENERGY FROM THE SAHARA ENERGY PROJECT OF THE CENTURY? Read More
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Website detailing the best events, clubs, soirées, disco bars, djs, where-to-go and the top music across Tunisia |
Zarina 2007 - A Proud Brit In Tunisia!
