In camp we see all the four-wheel drive jeeps and expedition vehicles with double and multiple tyres and traction control in all directions. The tyres have profiles that you can hide baguettes in.
And then us: record-slim summer tyres. Probably also a bit overweight. No winch, of course. Getting stuck in the sand? Somehow a nightmare scenario.
And yet: we want to go into the desert. Our plan is as follows: the asphalt road leads about 50 kilometres into the Sahara (there is a natural gas drilling area back there), after that it's just "sändele". We hope to find a quiet spot on the side of the almost traffic-free tarred road. And to experience desert feeling-light.
So we roll into the desert, deeply moved by the possibility of being in the January still being north of the Arctic Circle at -30° Celsius and rolling into the Sahara in Africa today. The view wanders into the distance, the sand dunes are lightly overgrown with withered gorse and other undergrowth.
At the end of the tar road we find the last café, here we are the only guests, the landlord enjoys us, makes us a creepy powdered mint tea and sits down with us as a matter of course.
Now we learn all about his family, the military, gas drilling and rally drivers. He also advises us not to go any further with our Felix (of course, we super-heroes wouldn't have done that anyway) and then he comes up with some more stories. About his family, the gas wells and the rally drivers.
He seems to miss the fact that we are sitting right next to him. At some point, due to the loudness of the host, I have to let Gerd know with a look that I would like to move on (and actually: leave).
So we roll back a few kilometres and find a beautiful spot on the side of the former road, which is only a few metres from the current one and offers a bit firmer ground. And we cherish the hope that we won't get stuck.
We get out our chairs and actually camp in the desert. I keep a lookout for camels, Gerd wishes to see a desert fox. I collect scrub and dry camel poop and before we freeze to death in the sunset, we light a small fire and are a bit excited about ourselves.
We're really doing this, aren't we?
Merci for "travelling with us
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As always, great writing and fantastic pictures.
Wish you both only the best Xundheit and much gfreuts for's 2023.
Thank you for sharing.
Sincerely Jolanda
Thank you for the lovely compliment!
I'll gladly pass that on to the paparazzo with the pictures 😉
And the part about sharing: Always happy to! is also a bit of self-interest: after all, we don't want to forget anything!
Best regards - Heike & Gerd
Yes, you are really doing it!
Welcome to the year 2023!
May it always be kind to you and offer you many beautiful experiences and views.
Kind regards from Racheli.
Who unpacks the motorbike today at 16 degrees and has planned a little balloon ride tomorrow 😉
Dear Racheli, all the best for the new year to you too!
And hopefully you had a nice round trip on your bike?
Best regards - Heike & Gerd
Thank you you dear! 💖
Yes, it was only a short round trip.
But it was nice anyway 😉
Of course, I much prefer to travel by motorbike.
2024..... Iceland!
I'm looking forward to it. 🥰
Do I have to mention how impressive and beautiful and .... your photos are this time as well??? Just looking at them puts you in a good mood.
I love the desert too... it fascinates me.
Getting stuck, I know all about that...1989 on Isla Margarita in Venezuela on the beach, 2005 on the Outerbanks/NC and /2009 with a big one (there were 5 of us) on the Great Ocean Road in Australia, on a totally muddy campsite.
I'll let you know if we manage Iceland next month.
That you will always see at least the 1/2 full glass in 2023, although mostly overfull, is clear and pleasing!
Have a good trip!!! And maybe you will come and visit us in Berlin...we would be very happy!
Hello dear Sabine,
you know a lot more about sanding than we do! And you know what? We don't want to gain any closer experience!
But Iceland, how cool is that? That's another dream of ours, maybe we'll have to go there if our other plans don't work out. Let's see.
First of all, have fun with the mythical creatures ❣️
Hello Sabine.
I would also be interested in your experiences in Iceland.
However, we are on the road with motorbikes.
We are particularly interested in: Refuelling facilities and single rooms in guesthouses.
Have fun and a good trip.
Kind regards from Bavaria.
From Racheli 😉