ROUND TRIP THROUGH TUNISIA 3 - Chott El Jerid, Tozeur

Chott el Djerid is a large salt lake in southern Tunisia and lies in the middle of Tunisia, close to the Algerian border. It is the largest salt pan of the Sahara. Due to the extreme climate with annual rainfall of only 100 mm and temperatures reaching 50 °C (122 F), water evaporates from the lake. In summer Chott el Djerid is almost entirely dried up, and numerous fata morganas occur.

Earlier, many caravans were lead astray by the mirages out on the chott. Souvenir stalls and cafés are found all along the causeway.

Chott el Djerid was also used as a filming location for the Star Wars series.



It was a fabulous view all along the road to the place we stopped.




Little shops and a "Normal Toilet" I think it was meant that it is a toilet we are used to and not a hole in the floor.



The views reminded me the "Death Valley" in the States which I had seen many years ago, but on a far smaller scale !



This man had a little desert fox for taking pictures with the tourists. I didn't do it, I pittied the little fox.



and then we saw the salt



From far away our bus in front of a range of souvenir shops.





Then I discovered sculptures made of things the artist had found in the desert



it looked quiet amazing







The sculptures were extremely well done and very creative !



There was a huge choice of sea roses (desert rose) and other souvenirs, but bones and dried animals weren't so much my taste. It would have been much nicer if our Tunisian guide hadn't mixed up the program or I don't know what he had in mind instead of arriving early we were there around 11 am when the sun was burning and we had 50°C (122 F) in the non existing shade !

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Tozeur in ancient times, before the advent of motorized vehicles, is an oasis and was important for the transportation through the Sahara, which took place in caravans. It also was an important Roman outpost.

In the medina (old city) of Tozeur, one can find traditional architecture, fashion and workmanship.
The old town is an exquisite example of the local brickwork. Mandated by the local government, the narrow streets, walls and facades were decorated with bricks, resulting in one of the most distinct and beautiful architectural styles of Tunisia. This work took more than 10 years to complete and really worthwhile to see.

You don't need to have a well filled wallet to find some cheap summer interesting find some cheap summer interesting getaways ideas !





Just after lunch, our guide took us to the Medina (old town) to also see the market. His sunburnt brain had forgotten that markets are only open in the mornings and all shops were closed because of the heat ! Again around 50°C !



The entrance where two curious locals admired the crazy tourists walking around in this heat !





We didn't see a single soul, not even a cat !



but the brickwork was just gorgeous. The museum was closed too of course.



The senile guide asked one souvenir shop owner to open his shop ! There were lots of things to buy and he even sold beautiful carpets, but we only went in because the shop was airconditioned and we got a free cup of tea while we had to attend a carpet display. Nobody bought anything, we only wanted to go back to our comfortable bus and drink water ! I think I never drank so much water, I felt like a camel.



We stopped for a drink at this beautiful place where it was not so hot, it also was an olive oil museum, but honnestly I didn't go, I prefered to rest with the others under the palm trees.

To be honest mid June is already too late to visit the South of Tunisia because of the heat !



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