This morning we headed back to Siwa, changed cars and drivers then headed out on the road to Bahariya Oasis.

Now on the map it says in brackets and small print (paved road in poor condition).  I’d say there not kidding.  Now the start from Siwa is a perfectly serviceable road with a few pot holes and in between a good gravel road.  It starts going down hill from there.  While not as bad as I expected it really isn’t a very good road.

Not much to say about the day other than we had to change tires, twice.  On the first flat the driver discovered that his car had the wrong type of jack which did not help matters at all.  Dad couldn’t help himself and went to assist.  Just as well he did I think otherwise I have the feeling that we’d have been there a lot longer than we were.

Lou, Katty, Mum and I stamped our names into the sand with our feet to kill a little time.  Lou and Katty started up choreographing the ‘Great Western Desert Shirt Dance’ or some such thing in the middle of the road.  I really wish I’d had the video out at that point since it was quite funny watching them.  Unfortunately it was in the car which was in the process of having its tire changed so you’ll have to imagine it.

We arrived in Bawiti (in the Bahaiya Oasis) just after lunch time and sat down in a small cafe and had a beer while waiting for our driver and car to come back.  We also dashed across to the hotel across the road in ones and two’s to use the toilet.

Late in the day we headed off once more, driving through the Black Desert to reach the White Desert although thankfully the road was in better condition and we didn’t get another flat.

The White Desert

We finally arrived at the White Desert and drove slowly in to find our camping spot for the night.  While not what I thought it would be it is quite spectacular.  We arrived in our camp to find the sun well and truly setting over the desert and we set up camp with little day light left to spare.

We encountered the white fox that night.  The animals come close enough to take food from your hand before scampering off out of the light to eat there prize.

That night we slept out under the stars on mats and in sleeping bags, except of the occasional mouthfuls of sand if you faced the wrong way it was a nice way to sleep in the desert.