Desert Adventures

January may bring a lot of things but at home... it only means Dakar time. We watch the daily summary every day and sometimes even twice (first in the catalan channel and then in the spanish one). This year it was specially exciting to see Nani Roma and Peterhansel fighting for the 1st place and Laia Sanz standing out among the other riders. After two weeks of sand, dust and sacrifice were very very happy to see two catalans as the winners, Coma and Roma.

All this reminded me of the days I spent in Tunisia with my father for the Desert Raid. As I told you some posts ago my parents have a big 4x4 and we all love driving it off road and of course through the desert. The Desert Raid is a competition organized by a catalan 4x4 Club that takes place in the Sahara Desert (Tunisia). I think it was my 4th time in a car trip to the desert, but it was my first time in the Desert Raid. It's a real competition but you know, very far from what the Dakar is: not as hard, long and famous as it is. But hey once you're there you do find it pretty hard indeed!

The adventure started in Marseille where we took a ferry to Tunis and then we spend a day driving to Matmata, where the desert "starts".

There is a motorbike on that car. A motorbike!

And yes, there is a cow on that pick-up... 
As you can see a road trip through Tunisia is rather entertaining! And road safety rules a bit more relaxed than here...

Sadly, my Mum could not come to that trip... But it was also very good to spend some time with Dad only. We're a good team! :)

Let's get it started! 

Okay, my collaboration that time was more an emotional support than a real physical help... I can only laugh when I see myself alone up there with arms on hips just staring at them.

A set table ready for dinner after long hours driving! Is that a mirage? It's not! There are no "regular" hotels in there but there are some companies that organize a camp for your group. Haimas and meals under the stars and then stories and anecdotes of other adventures by the campfire. That is for sure one of the best parts of the trip.

More in the next post!!