Safely away from Algeria now and 4 days into the Sahara :-
---- landscapes as beautiful as any in their own sort of way.You wouldn`t believe the height of these dunes.
It is quite hot ( 35 .C. ) here with the most intense pure blue sky I have ever seen.
We travel from oasis to oasis.The journeys are long and hard but worth it.
I hope to post some memorable oasis pics later.
Ken.
---- landscapes as beautiful as any in their own sort of way.You wouldn`t believe the height of these dunes.
It is quite hot ( 35 .C. ) here with the most intense pure blue sky I have ever seen.
We travel from oasis to oasis.The journeys are long and hard but worth it.
I hope to post some memorable oasis pics later.
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 03 May 2008 09:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Firefly » 18 Mar 2008 11:00 amGlad to see your back on your travels Ken. Look forward to more pics. Wont be posting much(cant type now) but I`ll be reading them all with interest.
Babs
Babs
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by Catweasle » 18 Mar 2008 04:34 pmKen ...have you squared the oasis photos with the Gallagher brothers ?
Thats a bramer picture of the sand-----------at Redcar after the tides gone out.
Seriously though,do enjoy every moment of another countrys lifestyle.
and keep the diary going.
Thats a bramer picture of the sand-----------at Redcar after the tides gone out.
Seriously though,do enjoy every moment of another countrys lifestyle.
and keep the diary going.
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by Ken » 18 Mar 2008 10:29 pm Cheers Firefly and Catweasle. Unfortunately I`m having probs posting pics but will try again as soon as poss.Ken.
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by Ken » 18 Mar 2008 11:55 pmAfter a long hard thirsty days journey , water at last :-
A boat as well ? ---- and some rocks ?
Not so I`m afraid . This is actually a mirage ( they can be photographed after all ! ). There was nothing there -- just like a rainbow that gets no closer. Just another 80 miles of barren nothingness.
Ken.
A boat as well ? ---- and some rocks ?
Not so I`m afraid . This is actually a mirage ( they can be photographed after all ! ). There was nothing there -- just like a rainbow that gets no closer. Just another 80 miles of barren nothingness.
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 19 Mar 2008 12:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 19 Mar 2008 12:08 amWorth it in the end though --- civilisation nears !! :-
I hope they have a hand-pulled pump !
Ken.
I hope they have a hand-pulled pump !
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 21 Mar 2008 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Benny » 19 Mar 2008 07:41 amAs always Ken, superb photos.
Have a great trip and keep the 'home thoughts from abroad' coming.
Good luck with the hand pulled ale!
Have a great trip and keep the 'home thoughts from abroad' coming.
Good luck with the hand pulled ale!
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by Ken » 19 Mar 2008 07:10 pmThe oasis varies considerably --- from a picturesque one as in above pic to a small group of palms in the middle of nowhere like this one :-
Wherever water nears the surface --even in very small quatities.
Ken.
Wherever water nears the surface --even in very small quatities.
Ken.
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by Ken » 19 Mar 2008 07:24 pmThis one , taken as we left Algeria through the Selja Gorges , shows in the background,a larger,more elongated oasis in a higher , more rocky situation:-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Ken » 19 Mar 2008 07:42 pmBy the way , not all my modes of transport have been as comfortable as the one shown above :-
Ken.
:-Ken.
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by Ken » 19 Mar 2008 08:03 pmOthers are quite vast,such as this one which contains over a hundred thousand palms :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by WillyLad » 20 Mar 2008 02:42 pmYes me too. They just get better. It looks quite warm out there Ken. What sort of temperatures ?
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by Ken » 20 Mar 2008 11:32 pmCheers. Its always reassuring that some of you enjoy some of the pics as much as I do sharing them.
Back to the various types of oasis --- many of the ones we got to were only accessible by 4x4 , camel or donkey and it was sods law that the most beautiful spots we got to were the most difficult.
Its hard to imagine the sahara being anything other than flat but believe me it can be anything but :-
Ken
Back to the various types of oasis --- many of the ones we got to were only accessible by 4x4 , camel or donkey and it was sods law that the most beautiful spots we got to were the most difficult.
Its hard to imagine the sahara being anything other than flat but believe me it can be anything but :-
Ken
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by Kattaddorra » 21 Mar 2008 07:56 amWonderful pictures Ken ! I'm enjoying your travels with you, as always.
Katt
Katt
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by Ken » 21 Mar 2008 05:59 pmAgain -- cheers !
Benny mentioned people & cultures. I`ll just post one last oasis pic & then as we progress much further East , I`ll touch on the different peoples we`ve had the pleasure to meet.
Ken.
Benny mentioned people & cultures. I`ll just post one last oasis pic & then as we progress much further East , I`ll touch on the different peoples we`ve had the pleasure to meet.
Ken.
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by Wilf » 21 Mar 2008 10:50 pmHope you haven't copyrighted these Ken, 'cos they make pretty good desktops.
Wilf.
Wilf.
- Wilf
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by WillyLad » 25 Mar 2008 02:46 pmKen wrote:Benny mentioned people & cultures. I`ll just post one last oasis pic & then as we progress much further East , I`ll touch on the different peoples we`ve had the pleasure to meet.
Yes please.
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by Ken » 25 Mar 2008 09:10 pmThis next pic is a good example of the different types of desert :-
In the foreground is the edge of the "rocky desert" , then a barren stretch of the sahara , then the grey/blue of the "chott desert" ( more on that later ).
Ken.
In the foreground is the edge of the "rocky desert" , then a barren stretch of the sahara , then the grey/blue of the "chott desert" ( more on that later ).
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 25 Mar 2008 10:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 25 Mar 2008 09:57 pmThose palms are part of a "rocky oasis" resulting from this spring at the head of the valley :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Benny » 26 Mar 2008 07:37 amSimply marvellous, Ken.
Please keep them coming...and oasis of warmth on these wintery days! The coldest Easter for 40 years, I'm told. I'd rather be where you are.
Please keep them coming...and oasis of warmth on these wintery days! The coldest Easter for 40 years, I'm told. I'd rather be where you are.
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by Ken » 26 Mar 2008 12:59 pmYes -- its been fantastic weather. Pure blue skies and temps ranging from 26 to 32 degress C.(The 35 degree afternoon was an exception.).
Most of the locals we met were of course Arab (as was my trusty guide for most of the journey) but we also came across many Beduines and even more Berbers , the latter being the most freindly and also colourful :-
Ken.
Most of the locals we met were of course Arab (as was my trusty guide for most of the journey) but we also came across many Beduines and even more Berbers , the latter being the most freindly and also colourful :-
Ken.
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by Ken » 26 Mar 2008 05:25 pmThe Beduines were much more difficult to get to meet as they were always on the move in remote places or camped up somewhere (and I was a bit reluctant to knock at the door & ask for a chat !) :-
Incidently , things have been made much easier for me to understand by my exellent Arab guide ( with the exotic name of Sammy would you believe ? ) and also thanks to my friend Catherine, who sits next to me at The Riverside & who`s been teaching me Arabic for the past few months whilst waiting for kick-off .
Ken.
Incidently , things have been made much easier for me to understand by my exellent Arab guide ( with the exotic name of Sammy would you believe ? ) and also thanks to my friend Catherine, who sits next to me at The Riverside & who`s been teaching me Arabic for the past few months whilst waiting for kick-off .
Ken.
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by Ken » 27 Mar 2008 10:47 pmThe Arabs of the north are relatively pale skinned but the further south you go , the darker they get :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Benny » 28 Mar 2008 01:08 pmI agree, Michelle. The photographs are superb, the colour is astonishing, the light quality must be perfect.....and the bloke behind the camera obviously knows what he's doing.
Keep 'em coming, Ken
Keep 'em coming, Ken
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by Ken » 28 Mar 2008 06:47 pmBenny wrote:....and the bloke behind the camera obviously knows what he's doing.
If only !! The bloke behind the camera actually had a camcorder as well ---- till he dropped it on the second day.
The annoying thing is that I`ve spent 98% of the time over sand or soft ground but I had to drop it on rocks !
Yes the light is perfect and some of the colours astounding.All the pics I`ve posted were taken with a tiny Nikon S3 which slips comfortably into my shirt pocket.
The spice markets are so atmospheric --- the colours ,the lovely exotic smells & the constant chatter of arab bartering. The chanting of that day`s verse from the Koran from the top of the minnerets just adds to it all.
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 30 Mar 2008 11:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 28 Mar 2008 08:21 pmFirst though another interesting type of people --- the Trogdolytes , who still live in caves and holes in the ground where the Sahara meets the Jabal Dahar mountains on the border of Libya.
Some of these homes you can see from a distance but others,like this one,you could easily fall into. They climb in through the rim or an opening as in the case of this one :-
--- and then climb down to the base on a rope or poles knocked into the wall. I took that one at night from ground level using a flash.
Ken.
Some of these homes you can see from a distance but others,like this one,you could easily fall into. They climb in through the rim or an opening as in the case of this one :-
--- and then climb down to the base on a rope or poles knocked into the wall. I took that one at night from ground level using a flash.
Ken.
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by Ken » 29 Mar 2008 12:00 pmWhilst the "courtyards" of some are reached through narrow cuts such as this one :-
Ken.
Ken.
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by Ken » 29 Mar 2008 12:02 pmOn reaching these "courtyards" , I found some of them empty & abandoned :-
whilst others were obviously still being lived in & contained simple pieces of furniture :-
In which cases I beat a hasty retreat , not wanting to intrude on peoples privacy. However, the following day provided an excellent opportunity to see for myself at close quarters how these people lived,when my arab guide,"Sammy" arranged for me to meet a family in their home.
Ken.
whilst others were obviously still being lived in & contained simple pieces of furniture :-
In which cases I beat a hasty retreat , not wanting to intrude on peoples privacy. However, the following day provided an excellent opportunity to see for myself at close quarters how these people lived,when my arab guide,"Sammy" arranged for me to meet a family in their home.
Ken.
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by WillyLad » 29 Mar 2008 12:51 pmKen wrote:In which cases I beat a hasty retreat .......
Blimey ... that sounds dodgy.
Dont think I`d have dared venture out in the dark at all, let alone snoop around strange holes in the ground !
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by Kattaddorra » 29 Mar 2008 02:10 pmWelcome home Ken ! I've enjoyed armchair travelling with you very much again this time. Wherever are you off to next ?
Katt
Katt
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by Ken » 29 Mar 2008 06:54 pmYes. I enjoy travelling but its nice to be home again --- although as you know , Katt , I`ve had a pretty grim last few days.
On the night I took the last few pics , I got bitten on the leg. I developed an infection which put me into a 2 day fever , during which I dehydrated & got a kidney infection. In good care now though & had a good day today.
It was my own fault. I knew full well that I should wear high-sided shoes and long trousers at night in that sort of climate but on that occasion forgot !!
In answer to your question , Katt ---- nowhere adventurous. Just a relaxing holiday in Madeira next month. ( I`ve a few other surprises lined up over the rest of the year though !
).
Ken.
On the night I took the last few pics , I got bitten on the leg. I developed an infection which put me into a 2 day fever , during which I dehydrated & got a kidney infection. In good care now though & had a good day today.
It was my own fault. I knew full well that I should wear high-sided shoes and long trousers at night in that sort of climate but on that occasion forgot !!
In answer to your question , Katt ---- nowhere adventurous. Just a relaxing holiday in Madeira next month. ( I`ve a few other surprises lined up over the rest of the year though !
).Ken.
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by Kristof » 30 Mar 2008 11:34 amKen wrote:
Ken.
Is it just me or does anyone else see a resemblance to Alan Wicker in some of these pictures.
You could have a future in broadcasting if you keep this up Ken. Keep up the good work.
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by Ken » 31 Mar 2008 09:40 amIt was certainly an eye-opener, Daffy. The people of this area are so poor and have had such a rough time. Their "wealth" in any one year can be measured in olive oil. They live mainly on olive oil,grain,honey and oranges & any left over buys luxuries like fabric , a replacement donkey,etc.
They are very isolated and almost totally self-sufficient.They are also very proud -- this family shared food with us but wouldn`t think of taking any payment ( we made sure that "Sammy" went back with a generous gift after we`d gone ).
Here`s how they still grind the "flour" for the daily bread ration :-
Ken.
They are very isolated and almost totally self-sufficient.They are also very proud -- this family shared food with us but wouldn`t think of taking any payment ( we made sure that "Sammy" went back with a generous gift after we`d gone ).
Here`s how they still grind the "flour" for the daily bread ration :-
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 01 Apr 2008 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by Ken » 31 Mar 2008 06:34 pmThe bedroom was surprisingly civilised :-
This was similar to the one I slept in. The beds are strange though. They`re on sort of rock stilts and are very hard. This suited my back injury to a tee & I slept well. There`s no need for air-con as these rooms are very cool -- even when the temp is around 30 degrees C outside.
Ken.
This was similar to the one I slept in. The beds are strange though. They`re on sort of rock stilts and are very hard. This suited my back injury to a tee & I slept well. There`s no need for air-con as these rooms are very cool -- even when the temp is around 30 degrees C outside.
Ken.
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by Ken » 01 Apr 2008 06:11 pmSadly, fate has dealt these people a cruel hand. They struggle to survive as it is ,but no-one could have envisaged the devastation which befell them a few years ago and wiped out more than half their population over the whole of North Africa.
Ken.
Ken.
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Ken's March Postcard
by Rosebudkid » 04 Apr 2008 08:31 amKen-I'd just like to add my thanks to the many others-your photos were very interesting and informative to 'stop-at-home' types like me. Well done.
And to think WE grumble about life's little inconveniences....!
And to think WE grumble about life's little inconveniences....!
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by Benny » 04 Apr 2008 09:33 amAnd the same from me, Ken.
I've done my share of travelling in my time but not to as many unusual places as you.
Keep them coming and thanks again.
I've done my share of travelling in my time but not to as many unusual places as you.
Keep them coming and thanks again.
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by Nortonbeak » 04 Apr 2008 06:16 pmBlack Knight wrote:Lets hear about the devastation then.
I don't know if this is the devastation that Ken referred to
http://www.pbase.com/beunard/agadir_earthquake
But, it was devastating
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