Day Seven
Date: 4 May 2013
Place: Midelt -
Merzouga
Weather: Sunny and
hot
Accommodation: Sahara
Desert!
Today had an exciting feeling about it as we knew we were
headed to the Sahara Desert and the Berber camp! We had quite a bit of driving to do before
arriving at the edge of the desert.
The restaurant where we had dinner the previous evening.
Our sandcastle hotel.....a fantastic place to stay!
It was a couple of hours before we reached our first stop
for the day at Er Rachidia with a few photo shoots at panoramic view spots of a
major dam and the spectacular Ziz Gorge along the way. Er Rachidia was set up by the French and it
has been maintained as a significant military base in the region due in part to
the nearness of Algerian territory claims.
The changing landscape.
I'm glad we went by bus!
Camel trains began to become more frequent!
We passed a busy souk (market) on the way before heading to
lunch at Aoufouss which is in the Ziz Valley.
Along the valley are palm groves, walnut trees, date palms and general
food being grown. We had our first taste
of Berber omelette which was delicious – whole eggs cooked in a tomato, onion
and herb base. It was served with
freshly baked flat bread.
The souk (market) we passed a little way after Er Rachidia. Very busy!
The delicious Berber omelette.....saffron gives it a wonderful colour.
Forty minutes down the road we stopped at a distributor and
seller of fossil products. The area is
known as the Jurassic area for its world famous fossils – all dating backwards
from 360 million years. There was an
amazing array of products to purchase but they are all very heavy. We came away with a fossilised snail key ring. We wandered around the yard and it turned out
to be one of the hottest days so far so we were grateful to head in doors.
Fossilised jelly-fish.....an astounding display of fossils.
At Rissani it was to be our last stop for water before
heading to the desert. Of course, we
bought the Berber head scarves to look the part on our camels – on the
encouragement of our lovely guide….then we had to learn how to tie them!
Some people needed more help with their Berber scarf tying.....our guide laughed when he saw this!
The excitement was building as we caught our first sight of
the sienna hued sand dunes in the distance.
Small camel caravans dotted the landscape and Berber camps were becoming
more frequent.
Getting nearer......
Looking out to a Berber camp from the hotel.
We finally arrived at the base hotel where we were to leave
our luggage. Our small bag was already
packed with essential items (toothbrush
and toothpaste and warm gear). The tour
group sat on the verandah sipping mint tea and organising our head scarf tying
before our camels arrived. The scene was
truly memorable as we looked over a Berber camp, camel trains walking past and
the huge dunes in the background!
A Berber princess we met on the way!
....probably the hand-maiden!
Laurence of Arabia finally got it right (with a lot of help!)
Our shadow Peregrine group was coming to the camp with us
and we formed two camel trains of about eight camels with a Berber leader at
each. Three of our group stayed behind
at the hotel as it was going to be a bit difficult for them as they are all in
their late seventies or early eighties.
The three lovely ladies gave us excited waves as we left with a bump and
a grind into the desert.
It was an hour to the camp and I loved every minute of
it! It’s hard not to take photos at
every turn as the colours change from soft amber hues to pinkish tones. The sharp lines of the dunes form a crisp
contrast of colours and every now and then small hardy spots of grass appear.
How about this?
David, Desley and I.....the runt of the group got the runt of the camels!
Yep, pretty amazing!
We passed several Berber camps along the way before we
awkwardly (and gingerly!) climbed down from our camels.
The camp was a lovely surprise with mats over the sand floor
and a sheet covered mattress on the floor. We wandered off in all directions to see the
sun set on the dunes and enjoy the complete serenity.
Outside our Berber tent....mats on the floor and a mattress. Pity we missed the blanket instructions!
The camp taken from a sand-dune....we didn't make it all the way to the top!
The Peregrine groups sat around in a circle on mats and
enjoyed mint tea, olives, nuts and dried fruit before couscous, chicken and
vegetables were served for dinner.
After dinner entertainment!
The stars became clearer in the jet black sky as we were
lucky to have a new moon. The two
Berbers played the traditional tom-toms and our guides joined in. Most of us were co-erced into the dancing around
the fire and we copied the Berber who was great fun.
About tennish we wandered off to bed, tired and exhilarated
after a truly amazing experience.
This was a day to be remembered!
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