We have found our Oasis!

 

And OMG, is it truly amazing!  I had read that the Anantara Tozeur Sahara Resort was the top rated place to stay in Tunisia, and I don’t think you could find a better place!  However … “finding” it in the first place was indeed a challenge!  So … to begin from the beginning today!

 

Up this morning about 6 am to another lovely day in Sfax.  Finally, a hairdryer with some UMPH, after a very weak excuse in Tunis.  We went down to breakfast about 8 and it was very good!  Nice well scrambled eggs and potatoes, as well as a lovely fruit spread.  There was also a gal there ready to make custom-ordered omelets.  And finally, juices other than lime and carrot – apricot, which was excellent!  

 

Down to the car and on our way out of town by 9:15 am.  There are two routes to Tozeur, one through Gabes and the other through Gafsa.  The Gabes route goes through the other large Oasis, Douz, and across the salt lake, Chott, while the Gafsa route basically went straight across country to Tozeur.  Gafsa was reported to be about half-hour shorter, so we opted for that – as it was, driving time was about 4½ hours.

Just beginning the desert!

Olive groves

And more olive groves

Some of the Atlas Mountains

Interesting drive!  Leaving Sfax, which is a coastal city, it was fairly green.  Acres and acres and acres of olive trees – Tunisia is one of the world leaders in the production of olives and olive oil.   And then, driving straight toward the center of the country, it is definitely getting sandier as one goes along!  Traffic was episodic, and of course, lots and lots of speed bumps along the way.  We’re both getting used to recognizing the signs that one is coming up – first a 50 km per hour marker, then a 30 km per hour marker … right after that, look out!  Here they start!  At any rate, for the most part, driving was fine, with long stretches of desert as we headed to Gafsa.  We stopped to top off the car with gas at a station outside of Gafsa, and truly, the bathroom ranks right down at one of the worst I’ve ever had to use!  At any rate, moving right along, we were able to get gas, and then back on the road to Tozeur!

 

Town entry sign!

Eastern dorsal; WWII battle site

Yep, that's a desert!

And then there were dates!

As we drove west, the olive orchards gave way to large stands of date palms.  Not surprising, since Tozeur – an oasis – lies within the “official” boundary of the Sahara Desert (at least, that’s what the map says, and we believe it.)

 

Also, as we drove away from the coast, we noticed that people (especially the women) dressed in a more conservative, Islamic style, and the bilingual signage (French/Arabic) became less prevalent.

 

R had been having a difficult time find the Ananatara – recently renamed the Mora as of October 1 – on any map – however, lucky for us, one of our pieces of information did include the specific coordinates of the place – otherwise, we would NEVER have found it!  If there was a sign pointing the road, we never saw it – although I have to admit that neither of us speak Arabic!

 

Finally, when we were about where we thought the location would be, we turned off on a side road to see if we could get any more specifics.  That was when R spotted the longitude and latitude coordinates on the reservation confirmation, and we put them into the GPS!  Voila!  We were actually on the right road!  However that was pure, dumb luck, let me assure you!  [R: Never underestimate the value of dumb luck.]

 

Proceeded a few km further along the road and came to a sign that we did understand – in English!  Saying “MORA” – and turned in there!  Arrived at a gate and were met with a security guard.  Gave our names, and after scanning under the car (I’m assuming for bombs), we were allowed in.  Nice bell men took our luggage, our car disappeared, and we were escorted in by a lovely lady!  She took our passports, and had us sit down – after all, it was only 2:20 pm and our room wasn’t ready until 3 pm … Okay… Given cold towels with which to refresh ourselves, as well as stuffed dates and a date drink that was delicious!

 

Stunning lobby to the Mora!

We were offered cold towels and wonderful drinks!

Outside the lobby with the manager, Rehab!

One of the amazing pools!

The view from our patio!

Our room, 107

Sunset from our terrace!

Absolutely huge, beautiful and peaceful lobby entrance, with lovely fountain burbling away.  R decided he wanted to move in … In just a few minutes, the reception manager, Rehab, came and introduced herself and told us our suite was ready.  She showed us a few places on the 40 hectare property from the overlook at reception, and then we were off in a golf cart with a nice bell man.  He showed us around the property – gym, tennis court, spa and hamman, the two stunning pools, the Majong restaurant where we’re eating tonight, the restaurant for breakfast tomorrow, the pool bar that serves food from 10 am – 6 pm … and on it goes.  Then, we got to our room – 107, with a desert view!

 

Absolutely stunning place – with both front and back door – back door leading to our private patio with chairs and desert view.  The room itself is huge, with king-size bed, amazing spa tub, large shower compartment, and on and on.  Also waiting for us was a lovely fruit tray with – surprise! More dates and more stuffed dates!  As Rsays, he could get used to this!

 

I’ve scheduled a massage for 2 pm tomorrow … figuring that tomorrow morning we will go into Tozeur into their Souk and see what we can see!  It’s what I call:  Taking the day off!  So, for now, I will head over to the bed for a lie-down before dinner at 7 pm!

 

Much love from our Oasis!

m

xxx

 

OMG!  Not only is this the most gorgeous place, the food at Makong, the Asian restaurant here, is FABULOUS!  Truly, the best meal we have had in Tunisia!  I know that may seem odd to say, but really – an exceptional meal!  

 

Walked over to Makong at 7, when they opened, and were the only people there!  (Not that there are that many people here; they’re not, but still!  One other couple did join us, when we were almost through with dinner.)  Lovely menu – we ordered chicken satay to start, followed by red curry shrimp and stir-fried beef to share, along with fried rice.  We also received an order of white rice “just to go with” the curry!  

 

Dinner at Mekong!

Complimentary salad with peanuts and sauce!

Great chicken satay!

Stir-fried beef, red curry shrimp and fried rice with egg on top!

As we have found here in Tunisia, no meal can begin without some starter, and this was a lovely Asian salad of greens and cucumbers in an Asian dressing; wonderful!  Lots of carrots and sprouts, along with peanuts and a lovely dressing.  Our chicken satay came with a fabulous peanut sauce, which was terrific, and both of our entrees were amazing!  I laughed when they put down our fried rice – it came with a fried egg on top!  That was new, but I was able to relieve R’s mind by taking it onto my plate and disposing of it there!  It was great!

 

All in all, it left absolutely no room for dessert – especially when they mentioned fried bananas or cheesecake.  No room at all!  No had they mentioned something chocolate … all washed down with a lovely Tunisian red wine – combination of cabernet sauvignon and syrah.  They certainly do know how to make wine in this country, that’s for sure!

 

Finally back in the room at almost 9!  Late for me, for sure – will now get posting!  Hope to sleep in tomorrow before a good soak in my amazing bathtub in the morning!  So, good night all!

 

Much love,

m

xxx