You'd think after 5000 years, they'd know at least one song!

Today we headed out for probably the highlight of the entire trip; a camel ride into the Sahara desert and the berber camp that would be our home for the evening. Even the drive out there was eventful. Our driver got us stuck in the sand so it ended up becoming a team effort to get us moving again, as you can see by the photos.

Once we arrived we stored our bags, bought our berber scarves, tied our turbans, grabbed our saddle (a blanket) and met our camel. Having a camel stand while you are on its back is an experience. So once we were all settled onto our mounts, we were led to the beautiful dunes of the Sahara. It's a feeling that's really hard to describe so I will let the photos due most of the talking. We arrived at the camp just as the sun went down and it wasn't long before we were all laying on our backs looking up at the stars.

It was so clear, you could even see satellites moving across the sky.

Soon a group of us decided we weren't content to just sit under the stars, we had to climb a dune to get closer. Whew! That is a workout. My technique; a funky looking crab crawl with breaks every fifty steps or so. The reward at the top was worth the huffing and puffing. Awesome. A sight that can't be beat; a quarter moon shining over the sand dunes. 

After taking in the scenery and catching our breath, down the dune we went.  I tried a skip and slide approach, whereas others played it safe and slid down on their derrieres.  Whilst we were clamoring over the dunes, Erin and our guide were making our dinner of Khalia, a meat stew which was one of my favorite meals of the trip.

  Or maybe it was because we were in the Sahara and eating under the stars that made it so tasty.  For our post dinner entertainment we were treated to some Berber drumming, more singing by George, and Wesley's now famous (or infamous) line "you'd think that after 5000 years they'd know at least one song!"

So with much laughter, sore muscles from camel riding and dune climbing, and with our bellies full, it was to our tents for a good nights sleep.  Well, almost.  I over-dressed and woke up sweating and had to peal off some layers and just as I was about to fall back asleep, the snoring commenced.  Sorry for hitting you, Mara.  I could have sworn it was coming from you and not Mel!

The next morning we awoke early so we could catch the sunrise over the desert.  Once again, words cannot describe.  The sand and dunes take on amazing formations and as the sun rises higher into the sky, the colors and shadows continously change.  Our reverie was short lived however and it was time to pack up camp, load the camels and head back to "civilization".  If only George could have resisted from singing Dear Liza yet again.