tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post2683708170373608846..comments2024-03-28T01:19:35.439-04:00Comments on Travel with Kevin and Ruth: Camel riding in the Sahara Desert!Kevin Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-6683687910027682982017-04-11T04:03:36.186-04:002017-04-11T04:03:36.186-04:00We so wished we had slept out under the stars! Whe...We so wished we had slept out under the stars! When we went to bed it had clouded over a fair bit and we didn't get a real good look at the stars so we decided to sleep in the tent. Wrong move, it cleared up beautifully and apparently the stars were fantastic. Luckily we didn't have poop around our tents but even if we did it would have just been dried up poop! :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-10698774178150347672017-04-10T19:28:30.270-04:002017-04-10T19:28:30.270-04:00It could always be worse...several of us on my tou...It could always be worse...several of us on my tour chose the "sleep outside" option. We were told to carry our sleeping mats outside and lay them down anywhere. The dark of night seemed to eat the light from my headlamp. The next morning, I learned the "pebbles" in the sand were actually camel poop. Memorable. TakeToTheHighwaydotcomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872573574006897572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-55117359868036973672017-04-09T05:06:47.756-04:002017-04-09T05:06:47.756-04:00We did love the experience, warts and all but we w...We did love the experience, warts and all but we wrote it this way so people would know what to expect so that they can make a fair judgement themselves before signing up. We just know it could have been an even better experience had we rented a car and taken our time. The actually desert part of the tour wouldn't have been a whole lot different because you have to hire someone for this part, although we could have then paid to have a private tent with a bed but we actually enjoyed the majority of the desert part of the tour being with the group rather than just by ourselves and luckily we had no snorers in our tent. :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-35216013600347894522017-04-09T05:01:05.886-04:002017-04-09T05:01:05.886-04:00It boggles my mind why more people don't care,...It boggles my mind why more people don't care, maybe they are too lazy! We can only hope that it will improve in time and hopefully that is sooner than later.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-85729266140512485192017-04-08T20:38:34.836-04:002017-04-08T20:38:34.836-04:00Yes, I think it is a disgrace to hear of our beaut...Yes, I think it is a disgrace to hear of our beautiful planet being trashed this way, no matter where it may occur. Why do so few people who live on this earth (I don't care which country) seem to care about the legacy we are all leaving for the future generations? Really bothers me, and I don't even have children or grands!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15572905521059358017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-54477592370457111052017-04-08T15:13:36.882-04:002017-04-08T15:13:36.882-04:00Fascinating read thank you. I would have loved it ...Fascinating read thank you. I would have loved it warts and all. Dewit's Tavelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16538120561960608790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-63056113490715401902017-04-08T04:52:12.601-04:002017-04-08T04:52:12.601-04:00Yes, I have to agree with you. We certainly wouldn...Yes, I have to agree with you. We certainly wouldn't have wanted to have paid any more for that trip, that is for sure. I think this is a typical Moroccan desert tour if you compare it to all the others selling the same thing. However, I think if you do a private tour it would be much better but then again, you get what you pay for.<br /><br />We are enjoying our time in Morocco but we do find it hard work because you are always trying to make sure that you aren't being scammed or parted from your money more than you should be! ;-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-7515449803840497592017-04-08T04:47:09.477-04:002017-04-08T04:47:09.477-04:00Well if we did it wasn't by much! The most cos...Well if we did it wasn't by much! The most costly part would have been the van, gas and driver. The first hotel was clean but basic the diner meals were good and of course the camels but the night in the desert would have cost nothing really, you could have slept outside for nothing. Still it was a fun experience, even though it was a long and busy three days.<br /><br />I agree the bathroom facilities were not good! They would have been better to just not have one at that point because most people went behind a sand dune rather than to use the toilet. Personally, we think they should have a couple of composting toilets out there, they work great and don't require a lot of care and would be much better for the environment.<br /><br />The camel ride and the sand dunes were the best part of the whole tour. We loved it!<br /><br />Never noticed a smell at all, they were really well behaved and calm. The camels looked like they were well treated and cared for.<br /><br />Dee, we never saw any of the camels spit!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-80310005262688407882017-04-08T04:36:29.978-04:002017-04-08T04:36:29.978-04:00Yep, definitely one of our more interesting times ...Yep, definitely one of our more interesting times but then we have had quite a few interesting times in all of our travels!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-30825995947801145322017-04-08T04:35:07.806-04:002017-04-08T04:35:07.806-04:00Yep, way to much time sitting in the van. They wer...Yep, way to much time sitting in the van. They were good about taking breaks every couple of hours so that you could get out and stretch your legs, get a refreshment and also a bathroom break. Still way to much for our liking, next time will rent a car and go at our own pace.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-26235095346507828782017-04-08T04:32:40.019-04:002017-04-08T04:32:40.019-04:00Can't say we have ever had olives for breakfas...Can't say we have ever had olives for breakfast either but we have now, lol. <br /><br />The two gorges that we saw were beautiful, even just the little that we saw of both. We would have loved to have hiked in them, guess we will have to come back again some time and do that.<br /><br />Not sure why you wouldn't want to ride a camel, it's really not much different than riding a horse. It was fun, just a little uncomfortable by the end of it but we feel that way after being on a horse for a while.<br /><br />Actually because we didn't have any snorers in our tent, everything else was fine. We were comfortable enough and we knew were weren't going to be staying at the Hilton out there in the desert. If you do a private tour, or a more expensive tour then you can get a private tent with a proper bed in it. Paul could ask all the questions that he wants and get the answers but that doesn't mean that you will get what they say as we found out. Still we are happy we did it, it as fun despite it not being exactly what we told we would be getting.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-72862415598415135562017-04-08T04:22:38.548-04:002017-04-08T04:22:38.548-04:00Yes, once you head out in the van you are definite...Yes, once you head out in the van you are definitely at their mercy. We did have a good time we were just disappointed about certain aspects of the tour.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-61876625233136956192017-04-08T04:20:35.085-04:002017-04-08T04:20:35.085-04:00Overall we really did have a good time, we were ju...Overall we really did have a good time, we were just disappointed that some of the things we were told about at the time we purchased the tour didn't actually happen. There really wasn't enough time. One way to improve on the tour is that they really should make it a 3 nights 4 days tour or better yet 4 nights 5 days but then they would have to charge more and some people don't have that much time on their holidays. Other than doing it yourself the only other better option would be doing a private tour but that costs quite a bit more and really is out of our price range.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-78941121929360679542017-04-08T04:13:54.735-04:002017-04-08T04:13:54.735-04:00So true! Nothing really went wrong, just not quite...So true! Nothing really went wrong, just not quite what was "sold" to us! We still had a good time, it was a fun the experience and we did learn something about the Berber and their culture.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-69845409648475079382017-04-08T04:11:00.337-04:002017-04-08T04:11:00.337-04:00Riding the camels was fun but we certainly wouldn&...Riding the camels was fun but we certainly wouldn't have wanted to go much further on them though, it's not a super comfortable ride! The bathroom facilities didn't bother me much because if I were hiking in the woods and needed to go, I would just find a tree or bush to hide behind. Not so good for a #2 though! I think a composting toilet facility would be much more environmental out there and wouldn't be all that hard to do. The problem we had was seeing all the used toilet paper lying around out there! I think that after every group leaves, they should be out there cleaning up all the garbage before the next group arrives. I guess that is just the Canadian cultural part of me thinking, it's a different culture here and they do things differently, I just feel bad for the pristine desert here.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-7547342658058667842017-04-08T04:00:16.347-04:002017-04-08T04:00:16.347-04:00I had toilet paper and wet wipes with me plus a sm...I had toilet paper and wet wipes with me plus a small plastic bag to put that and any other garbage we made in it and the next day put it in a trash can back at the hotel/restaurant. We didn't want to contribute more to the garbage out in the desert than we already were with doing this tour. I also had some rice cakes and mandarins in the bag. To be totally honest the tour was more or less what we were expecting, except for the fact that we didn't see or do some of the things that we were told we would see or do and it was our fault for thinking and not asking about a private tent.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-45246044774730364632017-04-07T18:39:41.712-04:002017-04-07T18:39:41.712-04:00Brigitte, and the camels spit, too, if they don...Brigitte, and the camels spit, too, if they don't like you or feel threatened. Kevin's camel seemed to like him because he looked as though he was kind to the camel. Dee Tillotsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01602508098099644096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-13932288432046727442017-04-07T17:46:47.065-04:002017-04-07T17:46:47.065-04:00LOVED this post . . . LOL! But, guys, I'm thin...LOVED this post . . . LOL! But, guys, I'm thinking you pretty much got what you paid for, and in no way should other readers think this is typical of all Moroccan tours. Having been to both Egypt and Morocco, we are getting more use to the way things are done over there, but have to admit that it is always a big relief to return to western civilization. :-)Tamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248579159497266955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-21186805573622811642017-04-07T15:50:38.259-04:002017-04-07T15:50:38.259-04:00Too far away for me to be even the littlest bit co...Too far away for me to be even the littlest bit concerned.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-53320993669585413192017-04-07T15:49:11.692-04:002017-04-07T15:49:11.692-04:00YES! Exactly! And that's what it's all abo...YES! Exactly! And that's what it's all about!Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-17929328898381638902017-04-07T15:43:48.517-04:002017-04-07T15:43:48.517-04:00You HAVE been there, DONE that ... been to the Sah...You HAVE been there, DONE that ... been to the Sahara, walked a dune or two, saw the amazing Sahara sunset, rode a camel. Never mind the shoddy tour, you guys HAVE BEEN THERE! Very, very cool.Nickie and Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11566506168550004304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-76798259876009413162017-04-07T15:02:01.273-04:002017-04-07T15:02:01.273-04:00Well so far a very interesting adventure! I think ...Well so far a very interesting adventure! I think you may have over paid for this tour but a good lesson none the less. The bathroom facilities are deplorable but what can you do in the middle of the desert anyway. Camel ride looked like the only thing that would have been an interest to us. I heard they really smell , do they? Well you both are true adventurers for sure. Get back safe and looking forward to you next post. In the mean time the rest of the world is falling apart!Brigittehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10915098922563865618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-83942041739648479162017-04-07T13:30:50.783-04:002017-04-07T13:30:50.783-04:00Chalk that up as one of the most interesting and e...Chalk that up as one of the most interesting and entertaining things you've participated in!!Connie and Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324923679408549696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-1203452393454655212017-04-07T12:01:28.695-04:002017-04-07T12:01:28.695-04:00We rode camels in India. Not sure that would be u...We rode camels in India. Not sure that would be up to that tour, too much sitting in the van.Contessa https://www.blogger.com/profile/01482663305121297253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-52179719392152365702017-04-07T09:02:35.417-04:002017-04-07T09:02:35.417-04:00Trying to think if we had olives for breakfast in ...Trying to think if we had olives for breakfast in Italy. I think not. Strange.<br /><br />I bet that gorge ride would have been an adventure in itself. WOW.<br /><br />I am not falling for the carpet salesman's pitch either.<br /><br />This is the post I couldn't wait to see. I love it. Would I ride a camel...heck no. But I love seeing you two having so much fun. The camel shadow shot is awesome.<br /><br />Super photo of you two in the Sahara Desert.<br /><br />No way would Paul have survived the sleeping accommodations. But, he would have asked a ton of questions ahead of time and would have never gone on the tour in the first place. lol What an adventure y'all are having. Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009https://www.blogger.com/profile/04066424117005030170noreply@blogger.com