Day 53: Wild camps before and after Matmata

The day starts with running or exercises, we have to move a little bit more, the driving days were too long.

In El Meijrya (that's what the geo tag says, none of these places exist on the map) we buy bread and take a quick look at what else is on offer. We are immediately surrounded by children and young people and we communicate so that it is clear that we want to see the crocodiles. The funny thing is that the gesture we make (two outstretched hands folding together) is different than the gestures of the children, who only fold their crooked fingers together to symbolize the teeth of the crocodiles.

A funny situation arises when Brigitte takes off her sunglasses and all the children back away – scared about the blue eyes!

Towards Matmata we have to let off some air again because it's a sandy road. We have to cross a wide, sandy riverbed, blown by the wind and shimmering with heat. Is there ever water here?

We take a guide, which seems to be the best way to get straight to the destination. And so the sandy track is followed by a rocky section; we walk the last part on foot. At 40 degrees! A view opens up of a bay with muddy water and there they are: we count about 13 crocodiles. Completely strange here in the middle of the desert.

After a short lunch break in the palm grove next to the riverbed, we head back to Matmata. When we re-inflate the tires we are besieged by at least as many children and young people as when we deflated them. They all want gifts, but deep down they're just incredibly curious and proud that they've had contact with us. But you have to get used to the excessive noise and pressing closeness. Like yesterday in town, an adult comes along and checks whether it's getting too much for us.

We take the main road south and want to go a little further. There are some great views of the plain – how wide and how much sand. Stunning. Overwhelming.

Have we actually reported about the camels we see everywhere? Individuals, in small or large groups. Some completely white, like mythical creatures. Great animals.

And by the way: Dead animals are simply left lying around here, just like dead tires...