Tozeur
by croisbeauty
On the first sight, there is nothing much to see in the town of Tozeur, it looks as a buff low-lying town marked only by three minarets. But as you approach you Tozeur's far more distinctive feature, its brickwork. The town is built in the architectural style which best suited to this oasis: facades, arcades, house-walls and minarets, all of them fashioned in desert exotic and dusty-ochre brick. Actually, Tozeur is one of the biggest oasis in Tunisia, rich of water and vegetation. The whole town is surrounded by huge and densely palm tree woods, especially date-palms.
Into the palm-grove
by JLBG
This picture was taken in 1974, when Tozeur had not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. There has been so much changes, road work, building of hotel, etc, that I have been unable to find this place anymore on our 2002 visit.
Close up on dates
by JLBG
On this picture, in August, dates look almost like green olives. Dates grown in Tozeur and in the other oasis of the Djerid are considered as the best in the world. They are called "Deglet nour" (fingers of light) and are sweet and almost tasting like honey
Fighting the Heat - Part I
by aliante1981
Travels to places like Tunisia involves a lot of fighting the heat, especially if you, like me (I am still surprised as to why I did that), go there right in the middle of the summer. Here’s a list of useful items to take:
- Hats and other covering: Large brimmed hats that provide head covering and some shade. For women, they are also a proof of modesty, welcomed when visiting old churches and mosques. Scarves and the like covering shoulders and arms can keep the sun off during treks. A cloth hat or scarf can be soaked to help keep the head cool.
- "Squeeze Breeze": this is a water bottle with a sprayer and a battery-operated fan attached. The beach toy to take with you!
- Sun block: While sun blocks may be purchased in Tunisia, people tend to prefer sticking with their own favourite brand (the skin, too, ‘gets used’ to it), and there’s not guarantee you’ll find it on the spot. So take your own, if you have preferences!
Camel rides
by brazwhazz
While most travel guides say that Douz is the place to try out a camel ride, our experience in Tozeur was hard to beat. While we were at the Belvedere Rocks, our newfound friend Chebbi took us to the owner of the camels who seem to hang around the rocks. We were offered a variety of camel tours and ended up choosing an excursion that would take us to an authentic Berber encampment south of town late in the afternoon, where we would have supper, and then back to Tozeur after nightfall.
It cost us 30 dinars each for the camel rides (supper was not included). The rustic authenticity of the Berber encampment where Chebbi took us was unforgettable: we were truly now in the land of the nomads. The ride back, in the black of night, was something to remember as well. To be (relatively) alone in the desert after dark is almost like a spiritual experience.
The man running the camel-ride excursions can be found at the Belvedere Rocks. Ask around if you don't see him.
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Yours truly getting to know his camel
Tomb of Sidi Bou Lifa and jujube tree
In a quiet neighbourhood, except for the roosters
Sidi Ben Galleb Mosque
