Douz-y

If you take a look at the photos you'll see us on the bus getting to the town of Douz. Then you - if you can - tolerate some arty pics of a nicer hotel we stayed at for one night for the pool. Then the good stuff. We walked from our second hotel to the edge of the Sahara desert and took an hour camel ride. Quite something - the drifting and blowing sand reminded me of snow in a blizzard. It was actually chilly. C. said was OK to post the pic of us in front of our camels after the ride with the camel driver so there it is. There are other pics of the camels lounging around waiting for tourists - but there were none. The apex of our trip?

I have to talk about the bargaining since bargaining for a camel ride is classic. The guy at the tourist office said the official price is 3.5 dinars but I should be happy with 8. This is per person for an hour. For the three of us on two camels, the bargaining began at 30. I got it down to 20 and left it there. 10 dinars per camel. Not bad.

On the bus to Douz. Too bad the desert outside isn't visible. Everyone likes to sit near the front.

Flip flops on tile floor at first hotel in Douz

Ceiling shows on pool surface at first hotel in Douz

Sunset over palmery in Douz

Chandelier is part of a constellation in gift shop at first hotel in Douz

After our hour camel ride around Douz's "Great Dune" in the Sahara. With camel driver and smiling camels.

Camels waiting for more riders

Sandy playground beside the desert

A camel caravan sets out

Rosters hang out in district of Douz behind the bus station

Building hangs out in district of Douz behind the bus station

Livestock area of Douz weekly market

Young camels for sale at Douz weekly market

Looking at the young camels