LIBYA  2006

We departed Miami for London, flying British Airways 747, where we met up with others in the Ring of Fire group at Heathrow. It was great to see some of those we'd previously traveled with, back for this one to Libya. We stayed in Tripoli a couple of days and then flew over to Benghazi, and then on to the Egytpian border.

 

The view from our hotel in Tripoli. 

 

Kay in an alley in Tripoli

 

 

Pharmacy sign in Tripoli souk. Check out all that exterior wiring.


 

The airport at Benghazi is an old American base, converted to a civilian airport.

We stayed a day or so in Benghazi, then headed out in a small bus for the seven hour drive to the eclipse camp.

 

Post Office

 

Going into Benghazi, we had police escort, but with bright blue lights on inside our bus, and our large windows, we felt a bit like a Box o' Targets going down the road.

 


The Eclipse Village - 40 miles from Egypt

 

 

The Libyan government established a surprisingly well thought out Village of tents and mobile facilities to contain all the foreigners visiting for the eclipse.

Some tent sections were colorful. Red Crescent First Aid tents were bright pink (far left)

 

It was a stark, surreal setting.  The horizon was flat, and void, with no hills, mountains, plants or anything visible - hence the Great Sand Sea. 

It was cold at night, but warmed quickly soon after dawn.

 

 

 

Ours was Tent 27.

The inside was lined with arabic pattern fabric which glowed during the daytime hours.

 

 


The Libyan people are very friendly and seemed anxious to have their pictures taken with us Americans. The two men in the left photo were Bedouins from Sudan.

 

At the Eclipse Village, there were Red Crescent first aid tents, medivac helicopters on standby, power generators, some vendors with cold drinks and entertainment.  There was Libyan military equipment as well.

 

At the American section there were fixed bathrooms with running water, concrete floors, porcelain fixtures, and showers.  Not all sections were so well outfitted.

 

 The village also had Libyan Cultural Exhibit which included wildlife, camels and even free internet; connectivity from the middle of the desert.

 

Debbie and Matt

 

 

with Claude Nicollier (ESA)

Jamal, our Guide throughout the trip.

The last day he wore traditional garb.

 

 

 

On to the next pages 

Sudanese Cultural Exhibit

Roman Ruins at Sabratt

Around Benghazi