Tozeur is one of the country’s most beautiful oases and contains some 3,000 palm trees as well as fig and pomegranate trees. It is known for growing some of the best dates in Tunisia and I am taking it upon myself to substantiate that claim!
Even the palms by the pool are laden with fruit.
The town is situated on the edge of Chott el Jerid a huge salt lake created by tectonic plate movement some 1.5 million years ago. It is the largest of the north African salt lakes at over 19,000 square miles. For most of the year it is dry with shimmering salt crystals in different hues. Sunset views are beautiful and mirages are a common occurrence.
Our first visit today was to the Dar Cherait museum, devoted to the history and everyday life of Southern Tunisia. This is a privately owned museum full of wonderful costumes, jewellery, art and glassware.
These are the beautifully decorated boxes that a bride would take to her new matrimonial home full of linens and items for her new life.
Some of the beautifully hand embroidered costumes
And the jewellery
Some of the traditional glassware
Then onto the historic 14th century medina, famous for its geometric brick architecture and traditional doors.
One of the doors in the medina with three door knockers, one for men, one for ladies and one for children. The lady of the house would be able to tell who was knocking by the sound and if it was a man she would know to cover up before answering the door.
This lady had a small museum in the medina and explained about the local life and crafts, here she is demonstrating spinning the wool before weaving
The local petrol station!
A short walk around the town and in the Market and the purchase of some dates!
An exciting afternoon taking a 4×4 vehicle to the Sahara sand dunes.
Onk Jemal rock formation
Met with some camels
A young boy had a desert fox, also called a fennec, is a very small nocturnal animal famous for its big ears.
This part of the dessert is a famous film location and is where the plane came down in the English Patient. Possibly more famous for Star Wars and some of the original buildings still remain.
Some more pictures of the terrain. On more than one occasion I thought I hope this driver knows where he is going!
These are pieces of the desert rose, usually found under several meters of sand. It is made up of gypsum that crystallises from underground water and takes the form of a rose.
This was the vehicle behind us, we just came down that dune!
Palm trees in the oasis town of Nefta
