Pat

Retired. Have time for the things I love: travel, my cat, reading, good food, travel, genealogy, walking, and of course travel.

TROGLODYTE TRAILS

25 March 2026

Every breakfast combination known to Man and then some appears spread out in the dining area. No known soup, salad, sliced meat, cheese, olive, date, egg, bread, jellies, and mystery stuff is lacking. A boiled egg and yogurt, plus very strong coffee, and I am fortified for another day of desert adventure.

Today, we explore unique architecture, walk in the steps of Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca, and I will continue an attempt to capture the essence of unbelievable landscapes. And, I hope, find a glass of wine!

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4 X 4 JEEPS TO OUR DESERT CAMP

24 March 2026

Google Maps and my eyes tell me – there are no roads where we go. In fact, our destination, a desert camp in Tembaine, appears not on a map. But dessert car wrecks appears. Sounds like a fun direction of travel. 

Although Tozeur roads are generally paved near towns, once we venture into the salt flats and true Sahara, our bus will park and we will travel in 4×4 drive Land-rovers.

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A DAY FOR STAR WARS  

23 March 2026

Climbing aboard a 4-wheel Landrover hints at what our day may be like. While we travel mostly on paved roads thru low hills, sand cliffs and dunes, we seem destined for a distant time and place: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” In reality, our destination – Tatooine.

In 1976, this desert region of Tunisia took on an entirely new look, not geologically but spiritually. Tatooine was born. Its life-forms became cinematographers, gaffers, foley artists, directors and Luke Skywalker.

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Destination: Tozeur

22 March 2026

After breakfast, we board our bus for the 300-mile drive to Tozeur, Tunisia. There are 12 of us on a 29-seat bus so very comfortable. Thankfully, we enjoy a few interesting stops along the long route.

The drive also allows me to observe the Tunisian driver. It appears they took their lessons from the same driving school as the Egyptians. However, it seems drivers here were better students.

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Tunis and Karthago 

21 March 2026

Our lesson this morning is Eid Mabrouk, which translates to Blessed Eid or Happy Eid in English. This represents the traditional greeting used by Muslims to celebrate the a major Islamic holiday: Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan). 

We walk from our hotel down a broad pedestrian passageway toward the Rue de France and Tunis’ Medina. Large, impressive and, historically, this represented one of the wealthiest and most influential Islamic cities between the 12th–16th centuries  

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Tunis, Tunisia

20 March 2026

May your morning be as radiant as a blooming flower. 

EgyptAir

EgyptAir blessed us to have a good day as it transported Gabrielle and I from Cairo. We return to Tunis. The plane departs slightly late, allowing for the crew’s Call to Prayer on this auspicious holiday of Eid Al-Fitr.

We arrive into the Carthage-Tunis Airport on Fête de l’Indépendance. March 20 marked the end of 75 years of French protectorate rule in 1956. We celebrate Tunisian Independence Day!

Brilliant Tunisian flags fly beneath a bright blue sky. The air is clear and clean, a very welcome change after the smog of Cairo.

Everything runs smoothly as we speed thru customs and are met by Kamel, the guide for our ElderTreks tour. For the next few weeks, our lodging, meals, and activities will be the onus of someone else. It always seems a relief as I surrender myself to my one responsibility of each day: “What time am I to be on the bus?” 

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Museums and Mummies 

19 March 2026

This morning, I see the pyramids from my balcony. This bodes well for cleaner air today. We join our guide, Galal, for a final day exploring some of Cairo’s most interesting museums.

I find it difficult to believe the GEM didn’t have it all. However, there exists several other sites around the city that warrant a visit.

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By Pat, ago