The local agent who had organised this tour - I hasten to add not Olsens - described this it as “a special itinerary through the mountains” like most agents this was vastly over sold – it turned out to be through an extensive waste tip, along a half mile of dual carriageway to a run down farm in the middle of no where and not a mountain within 15 miles!! It gets worse since the 19 other people who had joined me on this trip, and who had paid for a 90-minute ride on a camel, were somewhat taken aback to find only 6 camels, two horses and a scruffy carriage drawn by a small feisty horse!! It didn’t take long to do the maths and realise that 6 camels and two horses do not divide into 20 in a way that was likely to satisfy our expectations.
We were told that there would be an option half way to ride a camel back – well you know how selfish some people can be and you guessed some opted to stay on the camels. After some rather acrimonious negotiations those reluctant to dismount were shamed into so doing but it still meant that some did not get a ride on a camel. Needless to say there was a massive complaint when we got back to the ship and a 60% refund was given.
I missed out on the first 45 minutes on a camel and surveyed the tip, motorway and litter from a very hard wooden seat in the carriage! It proved to be a blessing in the end since when I finally did get a ride I was heartily relieved that the full 90 minutes had not been available. I felt my difference had been split after 10 minutes never mind 45 and my thigh muscles ached for a couple of days!!
Having said this the ride was worthwhile and once I settled down rather enjoyable. The mounting proved rather inelegant, especially since the camel behind would nor move his head out of the way and the steep slope of the camel’s back as he stands was a bit hair-raising but you hang on and once on the move the gentle rocking back and forth was rather soothing.
The most disconcerting aspect of the ride was that each camel was tethered to the one in front by a rather short halter. In order to see where they are going the camels walked offset to the right or left of the camel in front, which meant that with the short halter the head of the camel behind was protruding under your arm!! (See the photo). Very disconcerting although they were wearing muzzles to prevent chewing and spitting but because the camels had been fed cactus – which they love – at the halfway point (See Photo) they burped – and worse - all the time!!
So the tour as a whole was rather a mixed blessing but apart from the pain I rather enjoyed the experience – not sure I would repeat it though – but overall my impression of Tunis as a place to revisit has been downgraded. I just hope they can regain some confidence and self-respect and win back the tourists that are so vital to the economy – I suggest they find enough camels first!
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