.. Jalbum 8.3 Siwa is an oasis located in the middle of the Sahara desert and is famous for its 13th-century mud-brick fortress of Shali. It's cose to Lybia and is a ten hour bus ride from Alexandria. There isn't much to see on the way except for sand! We spend a couple of relaxing nights here, using donkey taxis to get around. slides/_DSC0546.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The road from Marsa Matruh to Siwa. The road from Marsa Matruh to Siwa. slides/_DSC0546.jpg slides/_DSC0551.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The rest-stop between Marsa Matruh and Siwa. The rest-stop between Marsa Matruh and Siwa. slides/_DSC0551.jpg slides/_DSC0586.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 This guy was our (donkey) taxi driver while we were in Siwa. This guy was our (donkey) taxi driver while we were in Siwa. slides/_DSC0586.jpg slides/_DSC0597.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Kai! Kai! slides/_DSC0597.jpg slides/_DSC0604.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 A souvenir shop in the town of Siwa. A souvenir shop in the town of Siwa. slides/_DSC0604.jpg slides/_DSC0608.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The town isn't that big, and donkey taxis are a convenient way to get around. The town isn't that big, and donkey taxis are a convenient way to get around. slides/_DSC0608.jpg slides/_DSC0613.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. slides/_DSC0613.jpg slides/_DSC0616.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. slides/_DSC0616.jpg slides/_DSC0621.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 King Fuad Mosque. King Fuad Mosque. slides/_DSC0621.jpg slides/_DSC0634.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 This shot was taken in the open-air rooftop restaurant of our hotel, which was called the Shali Lodge. This shot was taken in the open-air rooftop restaurant of our hotel, which was called the Shali Lodge. slides/_DSC0634.jpg slides/_DSC0657.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. slides/_DSC0657.jpg slides/_DSC0663.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Not quite leading-edge transportation, but apart from the tire and seats, it looked like it was in good condition. Not quite leading-edge transportation, but apart from the tire and seats, it looked like it was in good condition. slides/_DSC0663.jpg slides/_DSC0668.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. The ruins of the mud-brick Shali fortress. slides/_DSC0668.jpg slides/_DSC0672.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 This small store sold oils and jams made from local produce. The marmalade was delicious that we bought a couple of jars. This small store sold oils and jams made from local produce. The marmalade was delicious that we bought a couple of jars. slides/_DSC0672.jpg slides/_DSC0701.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Siwa town. You can just see the Sahara desert in the background. Siwa town. You can just see the Sahara desert in the background. slides/_DSC0701.jpg slides/_DSC0711.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 slides/_DSC0711.jpg slides/_DSC0722.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The central square with an open-air restaurant. During the day its too hot to sit outside, but at night it is nice. The central square with an open-air restaurant. During the day its too hot to sit outside, but at night it is nice. slides/_DSC0722.jpg slides/_DSC0725.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Anyone for Coca-Cola? Anyone for Coca-Cola? slides/_DSC0725.jpg slides/_DSC0756.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The Siwa oasis is in the distance behind the sand and before the moutains. It was actually quite a large lake. The Siwa oasis is in the distance behind the sand and before the moutains. It was actually quite a large lake. slides/_DSC0756.jpg slides/_DSC0769.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 One of the many hot springs around Siwa. One of the many hot springs around Siwa. slides/_DSC0769.jpg slides/_DSC0785.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 We took a 4-wheel drive trip into the Sahara one evening to watch the sun set. It was great fun going up and over the sand dunes! We took a 4-wheel drive trip into the Sahara one evening to watch the sun set. It was great fun going up and over the sand dunes! slides/_DSC0785.jpg slides/_DSC0801.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The Sahara desert. The Sahara desert. slides/_DSC0801.jpg slides/_DSC0812.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The Sahara desert. The Sahara desert. slides/_DSC0812.jpg slides/_DSC0813.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Getting ready for a break. Getting ready for a break. slides/_DSC0813.jpg slides/_DSC0831.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The white ground here had thousands of bleached shells. It must have been much wetter in ancient times. The white ground here had thousands of bleached shells. It must have been much wetter in ancient times. slides/_DSC0831.jpg slides/_DSC0832.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 slides/_DSC0832.jpg slides/_DSC0845.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The Sahara desert. The Sahara desert. slides/_DSC0845.jpg slides/_DSC0852.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 The Sahara desert. The Sahara desert. slides/_DSC0852.jpg slides/_DSC0862.html# Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:04 +0000 Waiting for sunset. Waiting for sunset. slides/_DSC0862.jpg