The port of Bejaia is a sight to behold, especially from de Pic des Singes peak above it. While I've since reached my home port, not documenting the final city of my Algerian trip would be a grave omission. Prior to independence, the city was known as Bougie, a word that should be quite familiar if you speak French. It signifies a wax candle. The bougie was named after this city, known where they made such candles since time immemorial.
The streets of the older part of Bejaia, where the old medina once stood and later rebuilt during the French era.What seemed like the most popular cafe in town. I hope the locals don't mind the photo, but this sidewalk arrangement of theirs was just too lovely not to document.The newer, more modernist, part of town brought wider avenues, but a bit less charm.The entrance lobby of a fish restaurant. Pick your poisson here. A flower so attractive, that even I wanted to pollinate it.Port of Bejaia from above. Photo taken en route to Pic des Singes (Monkeys peak) rising just above the city.Luckily there was a pit stop to replenish the water and energy with a sweet mint tea near the top. Most locals drive up to here and walk just the last 10 % of the route, but my Slovenian mountaineering genes would not allow for such a hiking travesty. Pic des Singes finally proved that its name was not a lie.A monkey expressing some scepticism regarding the capabilities of my phone's telephoto lens. "You're waaay in the digital zoom territory now", it thought. Its every gesture exuded what I already knew, but was afraid to admit; "There is no digital zoom,my primate friend, only cropping by another name" A friendly gentleman selling various herbs collected around the mountain. They heal everything from the fear of death to hemorrhoids, whichever comes first.Early morning train back to Algiers.Another look around the colonial-era streets of Algiers.After diligently insisting on traditional Algerian cuisine for most of the trip, I gave in to the easy and ever-present option of pizza. The "oriental" pizza toppings consisted of chorizo, peppers, egg, camembert, mozzarella and melted cheese (not mayo) and a bit of harissa (traditional spicy pepper sauce) that I added on top. While the cheese trifecta was a bit over the top, the crust was very nice and a tasty meal overall.A visit to Algiers would be incomplete without seeing the El Hamma botanical garden.Martyr's Memorial.
