Thirsty Bees

Today we are in the port of Annaba, Algeria.  Quite an experience!  They are clearly not used to cruise ships or too many tourists here, and the whole disembarkation process was, to put it mildly, baroque.

No fewer than 20 officials had to come aboard to scrutinize our passports before they then had to have a "face to face" meeting with each passenger.  Only those passengers who did not have an Israeli stamp in their passport were allowed ashore.  Once we managed to get ashore, we had to stay in our groups on designated buses, which were then escorted by police cars and armed guards to our destinations.

We visited the archaeological site of Hippo Regius and its museum today -- more Roman ruins.  Very interesting, if a little wild and woolly!  Lots of open wells that would have been quite easy to fall into, along with large gaps between paving stones that were begging to break an ankle or two!

Some absolutely beautiful mosaics (see extra), and then this little scene which spoke to me ... an ancient column base, recently filled with rain water, from which modern day bees were gratefully slaking their thirst.  There's a certain continuity to that.