Come to think of it, I'm not sure I have ever seen a sign like this before.
As we continued south the topography changed to be more arid.
In medieval times, Tozeur was an important cultural and market centre, due to its strategic location on the caravan routes.
Merchants from North and West Africa gathered in this thriving oasis to trade such goods as wool, dates, gold, ivory, salt and slaves.
Some of the finest dates of the world are grown in the region. Medieval accounts state that over 1,000 camels, per day, used to leave here laden only with dates!
The workers would climb the trees, barefoot, and cut down the bunches of dates.
Tunisians are also very proud that Star Wars scenes were filmed in the area. This is the cave home which appeared in the first Star Wars film (1977) and was later converted into Hotel Sidi Driss.
It was not an easy drive. The “roads” are not clear because of winds, shifting sand and unreliable dunes. It reminded me a lot of driving in Canada after a blizzard snow fall.
I think John must have been a little apprehensive about snakes and scorpions. He claimed to be a lifeguard. Ahem. He empathically boasted that no one had drowned on his watch!
Within the desert and mountains there were mirages in the distance.
And there were also real oasis's with palm trees.
TOZEUR
One such oasis is a town called Tozeur.
In medieval times, Tozeur was an important cultural and market centre, due to its strategic location on the caravan routes.
Merchants from North and West Africa gathered in this thriving oasis to trade such goods as wool, dates, gold, ivory, salt and slaves.
Some of the finest dates of the world are grown in the region. Medieval accounts state that over 1,000 camels, per day, used to leave here laden only with dates!
We visited a palmerie and they were harvesting the dates.
The workers would climb the trees, barefoot, and cut down the bunches of dates.
DESERT MOUNTAIN OASIS
We also visited a mountain oasis.
There used to be a Berber village in this oasis, but they had a devastating flood years ago and the villagers were relocated. Remnants of their village still remain.
Our guide was sporting the whitest teeth ever, which he proudly proclaimed were "all natural".
You can see other small oasis' in the background.
MOVIES
A number of movies have been filmed in Tunisia. Scenes from the movie “An English Patient” were filmed in this area.
Tunisians are also very proud that Star Wars scenes were filmed in the area. This is the cave home which appeared in the first Star Wars film (1977) and was later converted into Hotel Sidi Driss.
MATMATA
In Matmata there are rock-hewn dwellings ("troglodyte" homes), some of which are over 400 years old.
DESERT CAMP
For safety convoys are recommended when going offroad and deep into the desert. One convoy choice is camels.
My guess is this boat was not a good choice.
We opted for the Toyota Landcruiser convoy choice.
It was not an easy drive. The “roads” are not clear because of winds, shifting sand and unreliable dunes. It reminded me a lot of driving in Canada after a blizzard snow fall.
Our driver was a champ. It had to have been an exhausting 2 1/2 hour drive for him.
Our destination was an overnight stay in a desert camp.
The sand was so fine it was like powder.
I think John must have been a little apprehensive about snakes and scorpions. He claimed to be a lifeguard. Ahem. He empathically boasted that no one had drowned on his watch!
Before we leave the desert, I'd like to post one last photo and make one last comment......
John insists he got "the memo" about a casting call for local lead characters in the next movie.
Personally, I think he would have a better chance of snagging the role without the plaid shirt.
1 comment:
I like my plaid shirts - sort of a “signature look”
The river to the desert camp was fun. part of the ride was over a gravel plain with no roads. But part was over a road that was almost completely covered by the shifting sand dunes. A highlight for me.
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