2013 August Algiers

Algiers

All hotels in Algiers have taxi companies providing transport for guests.

In the hotel, they speak English, in the taxi not, which is a problem when you are alone and need to deal with the taxi driver. Unfortunately, I've paid more than I should have done. Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique is one of the most famous places in Algiers. The basilica is open from 11:00 till 12:30 and from 15:00 till 17:30. It is a beautiful place with good sea view. It's good to ask the driver to stop is the 'Grand Poste' in the city centre.  Within 20 minutes walk from this place there are many other old buildings, some minarets and markets.

The city is crowded and dirty. I visited a few places not in the strict centre and I wasn't concerned about my security.

What is important, taking a picture of policemen, gendarme and soldiers is forbidden as well as pictures of strategic buildings.

Welcome to Algiers

Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique

Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique

City Centre

Ups

Place to swim

Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique

Place to swim

2013 August Hassi Mesaoud Algeria

Hassi Messaoud

Hassi Messaoud is an industrial city in Algeria. A lot of oil and gas companies decided to allocate their camps here.

The first discovery was neither gas nor oil, it was water.

The camps are like fortresses with armed guards, defensive walls and check points. Same happens on the roads leading to them. In order to enter the town, you need to go through few police and military check points.

Long distance travel by car is forbidden for expats due to security reasons. The city has many checkpoints that why Hassi is a kind of 'green zone' where expats can travel safely from camps to the city or the airport.

Mild desert storm

Entrance to one of the base

Ceck point

During the weekend, local people organise BBQs on dunes around Hassi. Sometimes you can see.

BBQs on dunes

BBQs on dunes

I found departure procedures at the airport really strange. They include several checks. At the entrance to the building is the first scanning of baggage and a simple body search. What is funny, smoking inside is forbidden, however, no one respects it.

Afterwards, an immigration form should be filled and checked by a policeman together with your passport and then, once completed, you need to have your hand luggage checked again by a scanner. Finally, you can enter waiting area. When the boarding starts they will check your ticket and you will be taken by bus. After getting off the bus, the boarding card is checked again and near the plane, on the ground, registered luggage is waiting for passengers. Before boarding your flight, you have to pick it up, put on a big trolley. When they collect all luggage they will take it to the hold.

Time for the last hand luggage check by a policemen (sometimes they do very detailed check), a simple body search. After all this checks, passengers can take a seat on the plane.
This procedure is for national and international flights and is slightly different if you have international flights from Algiers (there is no need to carry your own registered baggage to the hold using trolley). 

The procedure is for locals and expats.
If you ever travel to Algeria - enjoy the trip. :-)

Local shop

Dirty dunes

At the airport

Hassi

Hassi

2012 December Algeria

 Algeria

 I was planning to go there for more than a year as I am working for a company which has a business there. In November, we started  applying for my business visa to Algeria. It took more than 3 weeks but I got it. My flight was from Gatwick to Hassi Messaoud. 3 hours flight passed quickly for me. I saw another plane somewhere on the horizon. All the way, it was cloudy but when we were above Algeria I saw the desert. Near our destination I saw the oil rigs. The airport is a small one but the board control is very scrupulous. The road leading to our base is safe but there are police check points. They told me that the area is quite safe but I can’t go outside alone. J One day, I visited the town, we took a circus road. Everywhere you will find defending walls, all companies located here have own guards and the desert is really dirty, a lot of rubbish are near the road. I was travelling only nearby the town, probably a little bit further the desert is nicer. Around there are oil rigs and you can see the fire and fumes from here. During the day the temperature is around 18 or 22 degrees but nights are very cold, even freezing cold. Near the road there are small ‘shops’.  Maybe next time I will be able to show something more about this amazing experience.

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