Arrive in Algiers from Madrid

Arrived early afternoon at Algiers International Airport, Houari Boumediene in Algeria. Officially, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, just an hour and a half flight from Madrid.
This country in North Africa is bordered to the northeast by Tunisia; to the east by Libya, and to the southeast by Niger.
Algeria has been at the crossroads of numerous cultures and civilizations for millennia, including the Phoenicians, Numidians, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantine Greeks. Its modern identity is rooted in centuries of Arab Muslim migration since the seventh century and the subsequent Arabisation of indigenous Berber populations.
It has a population of 47 million and is the world's tenth-largest country by area and the largest in Africa.
It took some time to obtain and process my visa on arrival, but I happily got it all sorted, then transferred to Hôtel Des Beaux Arts in the heart of the old city. Along the promenade and passing the Sablette gate, built in 2015 as a symbol of the French Arc of Triumph. From the hotel, I immediately went out to explore the surrounding streets, the labyrinth of alleys and stairs connecting the different levels of this steep district. Many of the old buildings showed some of the past grandiose architecture, but are now somewhat faded, but an interesting first impression.
A distant picture of the Martyrs' Memorial, an iconic concrete monument honoring Algeria's independence.A view towards the harbour and Bay of Algiers and the distinctive chimney-like concrete, brutalist tower of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Looking very out of place.
Also some of the many cats which I pictured in the Freedom Park Garden.Read more