What do an oasis, ancient manuscripts and Mad Max have in common?

Africa » Mauritania » Trarza » Nouakchott
December 22nd 2023

Published: December 27th 2023

Nothing! And everything. Read on if you are curious. If not, also read on. Why not, after all. Reading is good for you. So, to start. An oasis. Terjit. It's in the north of Mauritania. Wonderful place. Quiet, peaceful (those two go together to be honest), green-ish... I mean, it's not like the Amazon transplanted in the desert of course, but it's what one expects. A few date trees, a little stream... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 49, Displayed: 21

Oudane to Chinguetti

Got stuck, so needed to take some air out of the tyres

Oudane to Chinguetti

Classic oasis

Oudane to Chinguetti

Bird hitching a ride

Oudane to Chinguetti

Ibrahim, our cool driver

Chinguetti

Blue on the streets

Chinguetti

Old mosque of Chinguetti

Chinguetti

Inside a library with the custodian

Chinguetti

Old book

Chinguetti

Somewhere below these dunes lies the first Chinguetti

Enjoying the sand

The girls and I

Sunset

The wind and the man

Goat

Chinguetti to Zouerat

Jackie liked to knit in the car

Chinguetti to Zouerat

Bleak, but impressive

Outside Zouerat

Getting ready for the train

Outside Zouerat

Waiting

Outside Zouerat

Friendly train driver, had a good voice as well, he sang some interesting tunes

Zouerat to Nouadhibou

On the train at night

Zouerat to Nouadhibou

Sleeping arrangements, early morning

28th December 2023

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

And a Merry Christmas to you!
And a happy new year full of adventurous travels.

29th December 2023

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Thank you
I wish the same for you. Many adventures, and interesting places, and of course good health!

31st December 2023

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Chinguetti
What a wonderful blog to read of your adventures in Mauritania, Ralf. Libraries of ancient Islamic learning...an opportunity you will savour all your days no doubt. We were fortunate to see ancient Islamic manuscripts in Timbuktu in Mali including of astronomy. only months before Al-Qaida marched into Timbuktu and started destroying hundreds of years of Islamic learning. Fortunately, some were saved as custodians buried manuscripts to preserve them from wanton destruction. I remember seeing the reports of destruction on TV with tears in my eyes. I wish I had taken more photos but the ones I have will endure. This pic of yours is a treasure, Ralf, handled with gloves as they are so, so precious. How lucky are you to have some pics to enjoy and take you back there.

1st January 2024

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Timbuktu
One day, I wish to visit Timbuktu myself. Not only to see those ancient manuscripts that are preserved there. But also for the people, and maybe, if things really change, a chance to visit the festival in the desert. Insh' Allah, as they say. Fundamentalist destroy much, but there are always brave people who save. And they often save more then you would think. And here's a fun fact, before Mauritania was named Mauritania, it was actually known as Chinguetti...

31st December 2023

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Zouerat to Nouadhibou
Mad Max has nothing on you Ralf...eating iron ore dust on a train...talk about understatement!!! I'll post this extraordinary photo on "Follow that Road" thread in the Photography Forum...maybe not a road but hey...a pic so good gotta be preserved for posterity. The Legend of His Dudeness has lifted that bit higher...hats off to you Ralf...couldn't think of a better person to carry the baton!!!

1st January 2024

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

I am honoured
So much praise, makes His Dudeness shy. Thank you

31st December 2023

David Fossey
non-member comment

Nice one!
Great report as ever, His Dudeness. Sadly, at 88 I'm unlikely to get to see the delights you serve 'the long distance stuff is in the past for us. Travel safely through '24.

1st January 2024

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Who knows...
What life will still throw your way, even at 88... It's a nice even number in any case, by 99 you might have done some or all of what I serve up long distance...

12th January 2024

Michael Emrose
non-member comment

Great report
Hi Ralph, you old peach. Fantastic report and images, you have again captured the magic of traveling freely and going with the flow. Best wishes for 2024.

8th March 2024

His Dudeness
Ralf Kreuze

Mick!
Good to hear from you! Thanks for the comment, and glad you it fired up your imagination.

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What do an oasis, ancient manuscripts and Mad Max have in common?

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