Libya: Desert and Beyond

Departure x Tripoli

Departure from Milan Linate to Tripoli with a stopover in Rome. Journey on schedule with Alitalia. Arriving in Tripoli we were welcomed by our guide Assan. In the afternoon we took an exploratory tour of the city. We were pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the Libyans, kind and not at all pushy, as had happened to us in other Arab countries. Here too, the giant portraits of their leader Gaddafi are plentiful. After taking possession of the rooms at the Corinthia, a truly 5-star hotel, we went into the center for dinner. Dinner based on fish in a little restaurant in the center. It starts with vegetable purée and raw vegetables (they won't leave us for the whole trip), then fish (grilled swordfish). Tired from the journey and from wandering around, off to bed early.

Sabratha

Departure for the Roman site of Sabratha. The archaeological site of Sabratha is located on the Mediterranean coast. The most important monument of the site is the Roman theater. Composed of three levels with superimposed marble columns. The staircase also offers a suggestive spectacle. In the western area is the Forum, the Temple of Antoninus, the Temple of Jupiter and the Christian Basilica built by order of Justinian with a mosaic floor (visible in the museum). Less than a kilometer away from the site, on the outskirts of the city, are the remains of the Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD that could hold about 10,000 spectators. The tiers are fairly well preserved and the underground galleries used to bring the wild beasts into the arena are clearly visible. In the afternoon return to Tripoli and departure for Sebha with a domestic flight.

Smooth flight and arrival, albeit late, at the destination. Outside the airport the jeeps are waiting for us to reach the tented camp of Ubari Magic Lodge. Three hours of travel (thank goodness we had cookies to nibble on something). Arrival at the camp at 22:00, dinner is waiting for us. Comfortable tents with facilities, but how cold!

Ubari - lakes

Departure for the salt lakes. Crossing the sandy desert with sand colors of a thousand shades, we reach the salt lakes of Gatroum - Umm al-Ma - MAFU. At the latter we stop for lunch and have the chance to take a swim. The lake has high salinity so you float easily. It's a lake of volcanic origin so the water, the deeper you go, is always warmer. The first 25-30 cm are cold water but underneath it's ever warmer, it's a "strange" sensation. The panoramas are truly "breathtaking." Back to camp for dinner, tired but happy.

Germa

Departure for Germa, ancient city of the Garamantes. The remains of the old city today constitute one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Libya, although it is likely that much remains to be excavated in the region, considering that the kingdom of the Garamantes, at the height of its development, counted eight great cities. We set off again and arrive in the late afternoon at the tented camp in the Akakus desert. This camp too is spectacular and immersed in a "lunar" landscape

Akakus

Departure for the tour of the Akakus. The desert is a mix of sand, rocks and mountains. It looks like a lunar landscape; during the jeep route we have fun seeing what the shapes of the rocks modeled by wind and sand remind us of. In this place, which thousands of years ago once had rich vegetation and fauna, the graffiti remain as a memory. There are a great many of them and from various eras. In the evening return to camp, and thank goodness the nighttime temperature is a bit more acceptable.

Sabha - Tripoli

After breakfast we set off for Sabha where the plane to Tripoli awaits us. Along the way we stop to see the tombs of the Garamantes; they resemble the Egyptian pyramids. In the afternoon we arrive in Sebha and then board for Tripoli. Arriving in Tripoli toward evening, tired but happy, the panoramas of the desert will remain forever impressed in our minds.

Leptis Magna

During the Roman domination Leptis, having acquired the epithet of "Magna", soon became one of the main Roman cities in Africa thanks to the flourishing maritime trade of spices, slaves and animals coming from sub-Saharan Africa. It reached its maximum splendour when Septimius Severus, a native of Leptis, became emperor. In the following years Septimius Severus was a munificent promoter of the beautification of his hometown, which in terms of magnificence came to rival Carthage and Alexandria. Strolling through Leptis you remain fascinated by the architecture and the beauty of the finds. Unfortunately this site, like the other archaeological sites of Libya, is not much appreciated by the government. They could certainly be much better enhanced and cared for. Moreover, there are also many other archaeological sites to be discovered.

Tripoli - Milan

Last day sight.. sight... Visit to the museum of Tripoli, where several finds from the excavations are kept. At the entrance two giant photographs of Gaddafi loom, one with D'Alema and one with Berlusconi, (par condicio!). But were they really necessary? Departure with an Alitalia flight and arrival in Italy. The next day we learn that we were lucky since Libya has closed its borders.