Last day in the Sahara. The actual real desert; sand, no trees, wandering for hours and days without water Sahara... (not me, but what I imagined).
We got back to camp after our camel ride in the desert, just in time to watch the sun go down. We all gathered again for a short evening around the fire where a fellow made us traditional bread in the sand. They had coals that were under the sand, they stuck a loaf of bread in there, and voila, in a little bit we had a wonderful loaf of bread. It was not sandy either. We asked about that and they said that because the sand was so fine it did not stick to the bread. I can't imagine doing this in WA state. We would just have dough full of sand!
Off to our tents for a good night's sleep. The next morning we took a quick dip in the pool, had breakfast and then Mark and I went to the spa/hammam where we had a massage booked. I know, I know: a spa in the desert? Yep, and it was great! First the steam room, next a massage. Our spa fellow was not weird about massaging people (women) because he had been in the business for years and worked at a busy resort on the Sea.
The others lounged and read at the pool while they waited for us. One fellow traveler went to put on her swimsuit and found a scorpion inside. So glad she looked first before she put it on!
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| Such a beautiful setting and experience! |
The morning arrived too early but we wanted to watch the sun come up over the Sahara! We climbed up the "watch tower" which I think was just built for either a movie or for views such as this. Nothing in this big tower except stairs and a view point for tourists. But it is a great spot for photos. Parts of the movie "The English Patient" were filmed in areas around here. We suspect that this camp was built for the film crew? We can't figure out why something like this would be built out in the middle of nowhere when there there are so few tourists to keep it in business? Lovely spot. A bit expensive, I think the tents and meals were over $350US a day for a double. It was much more than any other spot in Tunsia. But worth the cost for a day or two; just for the once-in-lifetime experience and the great photos!
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| Waking up early to trek up the stairs in this tower for the sunset shots! |
There are many beautiful sunsets to view in this world. But it was a magical experience to see the sun come up over the Sahara. Especially after a night of sleeping soundly in a large tent while recovering from the muscle aches from riding the camels out to see an ancient fort in the middle of all that sand!
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| Yes indeed. Oh, the places we will go! |
