MAURITANIA

Location - West Africa; Capital - Nouakchott; Population - 3.5 million; Currency - Ouguiya MORE MAURITANIA

What a relief to arrive in Chinguetti, crossing the desert from Tanouchert, in April 2007.

1000 Mauritanian Ouguiya

Window decoration at our auberge, Chinguetti

Dating back to the 13th century, Chinguetti was a caravan town and on the trans-Saharan trade route

Souvenirs for sale in the old quarter of Chinguetti

The Friday Mosque in Chinguetti's old quarter

Chinguetti's old quarter is also known as Le Ksar

Surrounded by the Sahara, Chinguetti

Walking through the old quarter of Chinguetti

Escaping the heat at a Chinguetti auberge

Sand threatens to take over parts of the old town - Chinguetti

I preferred the old quarter of Ouadane to Chinguetti, but Chinguetti's sand dunes are absolutely stunning

They're right on the edge of the old town.
Go late afternoon/early evening for the changes in light and shadow - Chinguetti

My YouTube video

The Sahara stretches to the horizon and beyond - Chinguetti

Sunshine and shadow - Chinguetti

Local women walking amongst the dunes of Chinguetti

Looking towards Chinguetti from the dunes

Chinguetti, like Ouadane, is known for its learning centres.
The old quarter houses ancient historical and Islamic manuscripts

The area separating the old and new towns - Chinguetti

Another oasis town is Terjit, close to Atar off the road to Nouakchott

A shallow pool is a perfect place to cool down, as long as it's not full of kids splashing around - Terjit

Christina in our khaima, Auberge Oasis de Terjit - Terjit

Making tea Mauritanian style is something to behold. There's lots of mint, sugar, pouring and repouring going on - love it! Terjit

The setting for the auberge is beautiful, set within the walls of a canyon, with a stream running through - Terjit

The canyon walls - Terjit

Climb the steps from the auberge and get a great view of the valley below - Terjit

Looking skywards in Terjit

Back in Nouakchott for the flight home

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