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!