Shanini Travel Guide

 JLBG Says:  This picture shows the stairs that lead to a room. As we were camping, we did not stay there and had only a meal in the restaurant, in another ghorfa. We were alone, though it was in March and there should have been other customers. I guess this is why it is now closed. 

 JLBG Says:  When we visited Ksar Ouled Debbab, in one part of the ksar, the ghorfas had been turned to a hotel. In each ghorfa, each of the two levels made a room of the hotel. The strairs were made of stones and the whole was perfectly coated in white. It seems that the hotel did not... 

 JLBG Says:  If needed, it will be very easy to secure the ksar as t is the only entrance. The door is made with very thick logs of palm tree. It is not really wood but as it is very fibrous, it is very strong and it is very difficult to brake it. 

 JLBG Says:  The outside of Ksar Ouled Debbab is not very friendly, but it is on purpose : no doors, very small windows with iron bars that would not allow any intruder to come in. If you want to come in, you have to look for the door and there is only one. 

 JLBG Says:  As already said, a ksar is a fortified village built for protection from looters and plunderers. In Douirat, the protection came from building high on the hill. Here the protection comes from building houses ("ghorfas") around a square pattern, closed to the outside, open... 

 JLBG Says:  Though Ksar Ouled Debbab is only 13 kilometers away from Douirat, it is completely different. The first characteristic feature is that it is not clutched to the mountain but laying in the plain. At first, you will not see it on this picture. You will have to enlarge it to... 

 JLBG Says:  Leaving Douirat, this is a view from another angle towards the village. On this side of the village, there is a "ksar", a fortified housing of the same kind that will be found on the next tip with Ksar Ouled Debbab, but which is a part of Douirat. 

 JLBG Says:  At the end of the visit, the young boy that was our guide posed in front of his village. He asked us to send him the picture. It is very important, when you promise to send the picture of some ones that, once home, you actually send it. Otherwise, they will never trust next... 

 JLBG Says:  On this picture, the intermediate part has collapsed. The picture is taken from the troglodytic part and shows what remains of the "tunnel house". On this picture, you can see that the intermediate floor was built on strong palm tree logs that can last centuries. The boards... 

 JLBG Says:  However, when it is not maintained properly because the inhabitants have left the village, would you bet what will last the most ? The troglodytic part, of course ! Then, in Douirat, you will often see houses where the troglodytic part is kept, with the wooden floor at mi... 

 croisbeauty Says:  During this second visit to Tunisia, I was much more satisfied with my travel agent. The stuff in Tunisia have provided to our group sufficient number of quality vehicles and skilled drivers. Our exploring adventure of the country was above all my expectations. 

 croisbeauty Says:  When exploring Tunisia, especially the desert and mountain regions, jeep is the best possible transportation. However, it is not easy tusk to get one in the August because demand is much higher then the offer and the rental prices start becoming wild.One thing you have to... 

 JLBG Says:  This picture shows a "marabout". You will find many of them in Tunisia (much more than in any other country of the Maghreb), especially in the south. A marabout is built to honor a saint. In the largest one, such as this one, a family lives and takes care of the marabout.... 

 JLBG Says:  On this picture, taken close to Douirat, a donkey is carrying both a large metal can of water and two children. In these areas, donkeys are perhaps more useful than camels; They might be weaker than camels (this is why they are less expensive) but they are more versatile. 

 JLBG Says:  The woman on this picture must be from a wealthier family as they own a camel, which is much more expensive than a donkey. The camel can carry heavier loads. Here, it carries both a heavy load of fresh grass for the cattle and a jerry-can of water.