Travel

ISLAND MYSTERIES: TO DJERBA

27 March 2026       

Touring: not for the weak or the slow. It rewards those who can function on little sleep, adapt to early wakeup schedules, and climb vans and jeeps with the agility of a mountain goat. Usually, in-room coffee saves my morning. Bathrooms require timing, yet I constantly remain at the mercy of other women’s weak bladders.

Meals are aspirational and after a few days of planned 3-meals a day, entirely too long and too much food. Just a quick stop proves never quick. If you require slow mornings, naps, or emotional support when plans change, touring invariably separates you from those expectations by day two.

I hardly imagine I am currently on the Mediterranean Coast. The wind blows cold and strong, just the type of gale that blew Odysseus off course for years. We crossed the Djera-Zarzis Roman Causeway above the Boughrara Gulf on arrival to the small, resort island of Djerba. There appears much to see before we exit the island, this time by ferry, for other destinations.

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By Pat, ago

Tataouine Governorate – Out of Our Galaxy

26 March 2026

Tunisia’s Tataouine Governorate feels like stepping beyond Earth’s familiar into a landscape sculpted by wind, silence, and time. The horizon stretches endlessly, carved into rippling desert plains, honey-colored ksour rising like ancient fortresses, and villages seemingly grown from the rock itself. 

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By Pat, ago

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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By Pat, ago

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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By Pat, ago

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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By Pat, ago

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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By Pat, ago

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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By Pat, ago