Sahara Desert wanderings -

The part of the Sahara Desert we visited was quite surprising. 

It made me think of visiting Antarctica where one is 'there' but rarely gets to visit 

the actual South Pole. The Sahara is the largest hot desert, and third largest

 desert in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. Covering 9,200,000 square

 kilometres it is comparable to the area of China or the United States.

The Sahara comprises much of North Africa, excluding the fertile region

 of the Mediterranean Sea coast, the Atlas Mountains of the Magreb, and

 the Nile Valley in Egypt and Sudan. 

From the port of Dakhla, our fleet of twenty seven 4X4 vehicles, without

 air conditioning, drove us through the city to the Lagoon area and into the

 desert for the visit to the Sahraoui Camp - a rather long, very bumpy, uncomfortable

 drive to say the least! Accompanied by serious looking armed Police in cars, 

vans and on motor cycles, we felt somewhat over-protected.

We were there in the desert but despite the sand it didn't really feel like we had

reached the true desert. It was so vast and I wished we could go further with no

 views of water and kite-surfers in the distance! 

Me with our guide Rashid.

Dancing and afternoon tea. . . . . . . .Sahara Desert style.

Tasting Saharawi Tea.

"Do not regret the passing of the camel and the caravan. 
The Sahara has changed, but it remains a desert without compromise, the world in its extreme. 
There is no place as dry and hot and hostile."

William Langewiesche - Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert.