At Oulad Driss our group split into two and headed off into the desert in 4x4s. Our driver was named Mohammad and quickly realised that as the younger group, we loved going as fast as possible and over as bumpy ground as the 4×4 could handle. Showing off we whizzed through the desert, over taking our fellow travellers. We stopped a couple of times so the other group could catch up, though this gave us time to explore a little.
We noticed everywhere there was cracked mud-like ground. When you stood on it cracked like weak pottery. Apparently there had been some rain a few weeks back. The rain had changed the terrain of the desert
and, as Mohammad pointed out, caused fields of rocket to grow! He picked some and offered us it – it was unbelievable peppery! So much stronger than the stuff we’re used to. Not living far from a hipster part of Manchester, I couldn’t help but think how much of a fortune you have made from it back home.
When we arrived at camp we had some mint tea as way of a welcome in the roasting main tent, then wondered off to explore our home for the night. I wasn’t sure what to think of things until I discovered that behind our tent was a dune. Not overly high but gave a beautiful view of the surroundings and beyond.
Toilets at the camp weren’t so great. Thinking back, I would have preferred to have gone behind a sand dune. The ‘toilet block’ stunk and there was no light. Both these things I expected, though stooping in an unfamiliar position, with a torch in my mouth trying not to touch the walls did result in me ruining a pair of shoes. As far as toilets went, it was a complete adventure.
As the sun set we climbed the highest dune (bloody high about 150ft) and watched across the
desert. Ali pointed out the Algerian boarder and where we would be heading the next day. Looking behind us you could see fields and fields of rocket, and the 4×4 drivers coming back from picking bags of it.
We ate outside by moon light swapping tales of home and listening to Ali read a story from a book he had bought before heading to bed.
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep in the tent. I’m quite claustrophobic yet the tent was a lovely size. The night was so quiet, don’t think I’ve ever slept so well.
The next day we woke to find little prints in the sand. Several that appeared to be gerbil size and something bigger, fox like. Me and Tim followed them for a while, but were called back for breakfast. Whilst eating, a caravan of camels came through the camp on it’s way to offer rides to another tourist group.
Leaving the camp would have been harder if it wasn’t for the fact that I knew we we’re going to get back in the 4×4 with Muhammad.
This time we had many more stops to check out fossils and to hang out in a big dried lake. We came across an Oasis which few of us wanted to leave.
After lunch, we left the 4x4s (sad face) and jumped back into the mini van which took us to Tata.
Tata was an oasis settlement along the West African trade route. Close to the Algerian border, the small town has a very military feel, with 4 types of police and military stationed there.
Despite walking around the town, my favourite thing could be seen from the poolside/bar area of our hotel. Upon a hill was a military complex with a coat of arms/crest on the side that flashed like Christmas lights.
The trip into the desert was amazing. Writing about it will never do it justice so all I can do is stress that if you get the opportunity to go, you do so!