West Africa Odyssey 2012 - Western Sahara

Western Sahara: Dakhla

April 24, 2012

Aboard National Geographic Explorer

Tuesday, April 24, found us in Western Sahara which is a large, mostly flat desert country bordered on the north by Morocco, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the south and east, and the Atlantic to the west. It is considered one of the more sparsely populated territories in the world.

After Spain relinquished rule over the colony in 1975, control of it has flitted back and forth between its neighbors and various political factions. Today it is considered a non self-governing territory by the United Nations.

We docked in the small city of Dakhla for a daylong adventure out into the Sahara. It seemed like they had rounded up every available 4X4 vehicle in the city (I counted 34) to drive us out into the desert to the White Dunes.

After a brief stop in town at a local church, for an orientation briefing in the park across the street, we all climbed back into the vehicles (4 in each one) for the hour-long caravan drive, first on paved road, then off road across the dunes. The drivers set the four wheel drive and locked the hubs but even then some of the vehicles got stuck in the soft sand.

It was a very bumpy ride but as we came over a hill we saw an array of white Bedouin tents set up especially for us. There were two large tents with tables. In one tent the tables were low in the traditional style and people sat on the ground, which was covered with carpets. In the second tent, where we ate, the tables were regular height and we had chairs.

While we waited for lunch some went for a walk with a naturalist. He explained how archeologists were exploring the area where there were obvious signs of early human life. Others walked along the beach while still others enjoyed the musicians.

There was even a shopping opportunity as they had filled a separate tent with many antiques, and types of souvenirs representative of the Moroccan and Bedouin lifestyle.

The food was typical Moroccan and served with large pieces of bread. It really was good, although a little gritty because the wind blew hard the whole time and sand was in everything.

Eventually it was time to leave and we did appreciate all the work they had gone to to see that we had this type of typical Saharan experience.

The trip reversed as we drove, caravan style, back through the desert, then to the paved road and back to the ship.

We set sail about 3:00 for Tenerife, Canary Islands, the next day’s destination.

That's it for now. Grace and Paul