Yayfor those who guessed Tasmania! Last month I was in
the Tasman Sea, and although I didn't get to see Tasmania, I did have a balcony
view of the Spirit of Tasmania. The ferry that goes from Melbourne to
Tasmania. A 13 hour overnight ferry ride. How about that commute?
This time we travel north. How
north? Well north of Tasmania at least, which is everywhere....haha.
Muslims, Ottomans, French, and
PIRATES ruled this land. in the 16th Century the coasts were pirate
strongholds. With thousands of miles of beautiful pristine beaches, this
place if an obvious paradise for tourists. I could list all the fun
things to do but well it is the same as all the other beautiful beach places.
So let's see if we can find some other interesting facts. Even though
tourists come for the beautiful beaches and the adventure opportunities, and
most of the country is extremely fertile, 40% 0f the land is a vast
barren desert. Don't get lost!
When you visit and get bored of the
beaches you can try the Ancient Berber Villages. Full of cave dwellings and
dotted with stark landscapes, granaries, and flea markets. Set off by
beautiful mosques. While most of the villages are ruins, they are
actually still inhabited.
Although most of the country speaks
Arabic, there is a high concentration of French and Jews as well. I
always find it interesting how cultures play into other cultures, and how they
make them how they are today. Speaking of cultures, this area is
known to be a part of the ancient Phoenician Empire, centered
especially on Carthage. It makes me wonder what historical Biblical (and
Book of Mormon) events happened here? Add on the Roman ruins and the
historical touring could be limitless.
Including
a landscape area so unique that Mr. Lucas chose it for his little known film...
Star Wars. The troglodyte lunar landscape, as per its name, looks like
the barren surface of the moon. And just like its sister state Utah, that
also has moon like vistas, this area has its own Great Salt Lake. A train
called the 'Red Lizard' which passes through wonderful scenery this 19th
train will take you on a journey through stony desert landscapes, mountains
tunnels, steel bridges, water springs, deep gorges, finally coming to a stop in
a green oasis. A fantastic adventure.
Further
into the desert, deep in the heart of the 140m sand dunes there is an festival
that started back in 1910. Tribes from
all over the Arab and desert world gather. They engage in camel races and
present Arab horsemen shows. The event also allows the discovery of the nomadic
way of life, the nomadic poetry and culinary traditions. The Grand Erg Oriental
(Great Eastern Sand Sea) is a large erg or "field of sand
dunes" in the desert.
So if it
is the beautiful sunny beaches, the wild fun deserts, or the ancient ruins,
there is always something interesting here.
