LOCATION: Sahara Desert Camp
What's happening?
What a hot old day that was. - by 10 am the temperature was 41 degrees and hovered around that mark all day. Genuinely should be described as a layover day. Well, half a layover day because we had a date with the camels at 6 pm!
The Adventure
The checkout time was noon which meant our first genuine sleep in for a while. It was late breakfast followed by a swim to start the day. A shower and then the long wait.
In theory, we had access to an air conditioned room for relaxation - um, no sign of the air conditioning so everyone had to find their own version of cool. @Mac set up in a doorway with a breeze. I opted for outside- in the shade by the pool with a breeze. There was a sandstorm in the area from 2 pm till 5. Everything got closed up - which made it even hotter. I nestled up outside close to the walls and needless to say, was covered in a fine film of red dust. The sand and dust is so dry, it doesn't actually stick to you - it just dusts off. Was not the sort of sandstorm you see in the movies just a bit of wind whipping over the loose surface.
Speaking of movies, lots of them made here and one of the alleyways featured the billboard posters of some of the blockbusters filmed here including Gladiator and The Mummy.
The water was being guzzled by everyone and by the time we were into the last bottles, it was positively hot. Could easily have brewed a cup of tea or coffee with it.
Our date with the camels was scheduled for 6 pm and we joined dozens of others at the camel parking lot for pick-up. Some travellers were there for a four night trek from camp to camp. I was pleased that it was just an overnighter for us.
First to leave were the quad bikers. They loaded up and climbed in formation over the dunes. @Liz was a non starter on the camels because of her back and hitched a ride with the luggage transport.
Leg over, lean back, hold on and arms straight. We were on board the ships of the desert for a swaying, undulating ride through the dunes. Not sure we ever got to the serene, comfortable and relaxed on our 50 minute ride but that was the vision @Mohammed had first the group. Lots of rubbing and chaffing happening - especially where a seam in your trousers was a barrier between the wide rough saddle and your skin. Some very sensitive spots got a shellacking. Very high temperatures even at this time and still that hot breeze blowing through open spaces in the dunes.
Our camels did a super job, chewing and pooping through the sand, hanging on narrow paths on the side of the dunes. Equally, our mgaddami (camel leader) was very engaged, taking the phones and running up and down the line taking photos and videos. The camels seem to know the path - mind you, there were always multiple paths leading to many camps - they just ambled on - occasionally deviating as they were distracted by a clump of grass.
We were all glad to be off the swaying humps and on the semi solid ground of the dune. @Bill had a bit of a slip and slide entrance to the camp and was flailing and out of control on his descent in the sand. Gave us a perfect heads up on what not to do - and we made a more elegant entry side ways down the slippery slope.
The end point for us was just outside of our "luxury" camp and we were encouraged to 'play' in the sand. Luxury and play probably need rethinking as descriptors.
The play was running up and down the sand dunes and jumping on a snow board to ski your way back down. Um, no. Just walking either up or down the slipping face was enough.
I took up a position in the love heart seat and @Mac did the ascent chasing the sunset. His estimate was four sunsets - as you scaled another dune and changed the viewing angle, it gave the illusion of another sunset as the sun dipped behind the next dune.
The camps are one after another in the valley between the dunes. Row after row of tents, divided by lantern lit pathway. Each camp featured an indoor dining area and an outdoor entertainment spot set around an open fire.
The tents themselves housed a bed and a bathroom with a settee outside. The luxury tag comes because there is an air conditioning unit in the room and five rolls of toulet paper! The luxury of the bed was a mattress set atop a raised concrete slab.
The sheets were gritty with very fine sand and the bed itself felt hot because the heat from the concrete was seeping through the mattress - sort of like an electric blanket.
Towels eventually were delivered and we were in real luxury, becuase our air con worked. @TheRoyals - not so much. Eventually sorted the problem with new batteries in tthe remote. They are both still heavily invested in loo rotations and found it very handy to be able to slip into the adjacent tent and take advantage of a second toilet.
Rocked up for a simple meal - only one other groups in camp woth us on this sode of the dune - a very strident group of 8 from somewhere in Asia.
Post dinner, wandered over to the next camp for the entertainment. An ensemble of guitar and drums - making noise rather than music to pur ears.. And surprise - who was one of the drummers? None other than out @Mahommed. Bashing up a storm.
The dancers we expected? That was us. The audience were invited to jump up around the fire to join in the spinning dervish.
Lots of people were filing in from adjoining camps amd many were gathered around tables in large noisy groups drawing smoke from the Long thin African pipe the sebsi. According to @Mohammed, it was fragrant herbs rather than cannabis.
We followed @TheRoyals in a very stealthy exit to avoid the outer and the dancing.
Camels at 6 pm, dune frolicking at 8.00, sunset 8.20, dinner at 9, entertainment at 10.30 and "luxury" tent at 11.30. Need a PA to supervise our schedule.
Survival Barometer
Steps: 13 877
Weather: hit 41 for quite a few hours
Can you believe that?
A little background from Co-Pilot.
🐪 Weird & Amazing Camel Facts in Morocco’s Sahara🌵 Hump MythThe hump stores 35–40 kg of fat, not water.Camels convert this fat into energy and even small amounts of water when food is scarce.
🚢 Ship of the DesertTheir slow, swaying gait feels like riding waves.Wide padded feet act like sand snowshoes, preventing sinking into dunes.
👀 Natural Desert GogglesCamels have long eyelashes and a third eyelid that works like goggles.They can close nostrils to block sandstorms.
💧 Extreme HydrationA thirsty camel can drink 100–150 liters of water in minutes.Their oval-shaped red blood cells keep circulation even when dehydrated.
Today's Spot the J clue - I think there is at least one
"I'm setting up in my luxury tent."
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