As regular visitors to the board know, I love North Africa; the people, the culture, the attitude. I hated the slaughter (West involved) in Libya; I wasn't convinced by the rebellion in Egypt and (read Three Months) I have reservations about the changes in Tunisia. I've always wanted to visit both Libya and Algeria; both impossible until recently. I hope to go to Libya this year. Algeria needs change but when, how, in what way? Not with external involvement (ITK knows I hated the Libyan invasion and I worry greatly about Syria though I like the Arab world less the further East we go).

I'm told Algiers is a beautiful city with a gorgeous harbour and bay. I'd love to see it before I shuffle off.