Fall Break, Exploring Southern Tunisia, Ksar Ghilan & the Sahara - Oct, 2014

Fall Break, Exploring Ksar Ghilane & the Sahara  - Oct, 2014

   After spending two nights in Tozeur, we headed off for Ksar Ghilane and the Sahara desert.  We drove a good portion of the day and the scenery became, ah... very sandy.  We drove through miles and miles of salt "fields".  There is an area that becomes a giant lake in the rainy winter months but then it dries up every year and the salt is collected.  Centuries ago, they traded this salt and it was worth as much as gold.

     Our destination is Ksar Ghilane, which I would describe as a camp type resort area in a small palm oasis out in the middle of nowhere.  As you drive into Ksar Ghilane, the place is made up of a few cement buildings, sand everywhere, a few tents and ram-shackled hovels.  Lots of dogs, mules, and camels hanging around.  This desolate area was obviously where the workers lived.  When you drive into the palm oasis, that is where the tourist hotels and shops are located.  Not much around, but our hotel/camp is made up of a few large buildings, a restaurant, a spa and pool with a lovely deck area surrounding it and then all of our large tents.  Inside these tents, is a nice bed, a few chairs and a table and then a small bathroom.  Pretty luxurious for camping, but then again, it was quite expensive too.  You have to keep in mind that all of the food supplies are brought in from many miles away.  It makes the beer taste really really good.  And we figure this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  not many folks that we know can say that they rode camels and slept in the sahara desert.

There are protective nets around the dates to keep them safe.  Mainly safe from the birds.

The lone camel.

Never mind, there are a few more.

Hazy sand storm off in the distance.

Camp is within site.

We are here?

   We pulled into camp late in the afternoon, threw our luggage in our tents and then had a quick bite to eat.  Some of us took a quick nap, others a swim in the pool.  We had to be ready for our sunset tour of the desert.  Mark and I decided to take the camel ride out to an ancient fort, others stayed at camp and relaxed and then others rode the 4-wheelers around the desert.

Wow, what a setting!

Meals were served "family style".
Lovely vegetables, lamb and couscous.
Tunisian salad which is mainly cucumbers and tomatoes.
And we could even order a beer!

Fall Break, Exploring Southern Tunisia, Tozeur - Oct, 2014

Fall Break, Exploring Southern Tunisia, Tozeur - Oct, 2014

   We finished our train ride and then went back into Tozeur for a late lunch.  And a cold beer.  Both of which we found.  A few folks even tried the local specialty:  camel.  Eating it I mean, not riding it.  After lunch we wandered around town for a little while, walked through the medina and looked through a few shops.  The weather is very warm, in the low 90s.   We are doing our best to get acclimated with this new climate, from our last few years of being on the WA rainy and cool coast.

Frameworthy?  Almost.  Next time I will have to take the photo without that ray of light.

A really nice medina with a few modern and lovely shops.

I love all the windy narrow cobblestone streets.  They beckon for exploration!

Mosque in the background.

This town/area is known for it's brickwork.
It is the only area in the country where
they have brickwork like this.

The doors are so amazing.
There is a new and beautiful door
around every corner!

    A few of us decided to go to a local hilltop which is known for it's lovely sunset view.  We had a hard time finding it at first so we asked a local fellow on a camel.  Little did we know that he took off and wanted us to follow him!  Nothing like following a galloping camel down the road.  He led us to the spot and persuaded Mark to sit on the camel for a photo op.  Mark almost fell off but we got the photo.   People here are so great about directions, most of them just take you there!

   We then climbed the hill to view the sunset.  There were a few other couples hanging around and a few guys with camels for the tourists.  It was a weird spot with lots of large fake plaster-paris type animals for decor.  

Nothing like following a camel down the road.

Gotta love him!  He is always up for an adventure!

Ooops, almost fell off!

The camel is grunting!

We always have a great time together!

 

   We headed back to the hotel to meet the rest of our group.  It was time for sharing our days adventures on the beautiful rooftop deck with a few bottles of vino.

I was very intrigued with the set up on this rooftop patio.
I would like to make one similar back at home in Tunis!