Tamerza

Next stop, Tamerza, the largest mountain oasis in Tunisia.

This shepherd has a precarious job!

The canyon cut into the desert with magnificent strata patterns

Lots of dates

This section shows the old village, abandoned in 1969 after 22 days of flooding

Couldn't help but think of Matt's beloved Bradford City here!

Fresh water - a precious commodity in Tunisia

 For film buffs, scenes from 'The English Patient' were shot in this area.

Chebika

The weather was a bit disappointing but the journey across the desert in a 4X4 wasn't! Our destination: Chebika, an oasis near the Algerian border in the eastern Atlas Mountains

In the middle of nowhere, water provides a reason for building a settlement.

The original village was abandoned in 1969 after two successive floods. The people now live not far away in a safer zone.

That's the desert in the background - nothing for miles and miles.

The tree-line follows the water-course.

I think this woman was stalking me!

Two very excited children after Tine showed them a frog in the pool!

Here we have one of the water sources, straight out of the mountains.

Like in Madeira no water is wasted but channeled for use in the village and in the plantations.

Chott el-Jérid

Chott el-Jérid is a salt-water lake which often has water in the winter months but we saw very little. The temperature can reach 50ºC in summer: thankfully not the case for us! This means that natural evaporation takes place and salt is harvested, mainly for use on European roads in winter. There is a long, very straight route across the lake along a causeway. Apparently in the hotter weather it is renowned for its mirages.

The first two photographs, taken from the coach, show hot water towers where naturally flowing water reaches the surface and is cooled for agriculture & home consumption.

Next we have 'rose des sables' or desert rose, a naturally formation that you see for sale everywhere.

Sometimes they're coloured, not naturally of course.

There are a few roadside cafés in the middle of nowhere

Previous customers?

Very welcoming toilets!

Did I say the road was straight?!

So here's the salt I mentioned

Various constructions to remind us that some scenes in the original Star Wars were filmed here

Same dried lake on a sunnier day!

The market at Matmata Nouvelle

What a bustling place was Matmata Nouvelle with its weekly market in full swing! The locals seemed very happy to see Western faces with many a 'bonjour' as we explored the stalls. French is the 2nd language in Tunisia, taught from 9 years old (English is taught from 11 years old). We were very pleasantly surprised not to be hassled.

Petrol is often sold by the roadside from plastic containers, much of it imported illegally from Libya and costing 35 c (30 p) a litre. Mind you a car costs double the European price!

An olive oil press over the road from a toilet/coffee stop...

...and a couple of Tunisians passing the time of day

This spice seller was more than happy to have his photo taken 

Puts our spice cupboard to shame! 

Live chicken anyone? Plus one of many 'we sell anything' stalls

Not to my taste but I'm sure there would be some takers for octopus! 

Massive green chillies...

...fresh dates...

...and fennel. We enjoyed fennel in salad and braised with tomatoes back at the hotel.

Ladieswear...

...and menswear

Most men preferring a coffee at one of the many cafés