Nomadic Tales My perception of small countries is that the chances of finding a secluded spot to pitch a tent without being seen are very low. The land tends to be expensive and fully utilized, and I imagined that landowners wouldn’t appreciate tents on property they’ve paid dearly for. I resisted the temptation to try even a single night of wild camping in Switzerland, fearing a hefty fine. However, I did camp in Luxembourg, not one, but two nights. In Kehl, Germany, just across the river from Strasbourg, I managed one night of wild camping, but it was far from comfortable. Two men walking in the distance kept watching me for about half an hour. Despite my green tent blending into the grassy ground with a forested backdrop, and being 400 meters from the road, they appeared suspicious, stepping left and right, perhaps trying to get a better view. Since wild camping is generally frowned upon in Germany, I usually avoid it, but I wanted to try anyway. I had spent a full week near ...
Nomadic Tales
As a digital nomad, a reliable internet connection is essential, but Morocco has been quite a challenge in this regard. With several days' worth of overdue work, I was in desperate need of a stable connection. The already weak signal from the antenna was further obstructed by buildings, making internet access in Merzouga consistently poor and unstable, no matter where I tried.
In search of a suitable spot, I moved from one campsite to another. Eventually, I arrived at what I thought was a campsite, only to find a luxury riad instead. A well-dressed man welcomed me, and after I explained my situation, he asked if I wanted to camp. When I said yes, he led me through the back garden, past the backyard gate, and pointed to a sandy patch scattered with low palm trees just outside his property. “You can camp here! Nobody will bother you” he assured me.
After several more attempts, I arrived at another riad, where the owner invited me to follow him up to the rooftop. He pointed toward the dunes in the distance and said, “See those campervans? You can camp there, nobody will bother you!” This time, I was less hesitant, so I decided to give it a shot.
Navigating through a maze of sand dunes on hard rock terrain, I eventually found myself 500 meters deep into Erg Chebbi, one of Morocco’s largest seas of wind-blown sand. To my surprise, where all other locations had failed, this spot had full 4G signal. A tamarisk tree offered some shade against the setting sun. With some effort, I flattened the sand under my tent to create a more level surface. From this vantage point, I had a clear line of sight to the GSM antenna, finally allowing me to catch up on my work.
Feb, 2023
Unforgettable Sights & Hidden Gems
Erg Chebbi: The Majestic Dunes of Morocco
Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s most stunning natural wonders. A vast sea of golden sand dunes stretching over 28 km long and up to 5 km wide. Located near the small desert village of Merzouga, these towering dunes can reach heights of up to 150 meters, creating a breathtaking landscape that changes color with the shifting sunlight.
Unlike other rocky or flat deserts in Morocco, Erg Chebbi consists of soft, wind-sculpted dunes that offer an authentic Sahara experience. The dunes are a major draw for travelers seeking adventure, cultural immersion, and serene desert beauty.
Beyond the dunes, you can immerse yourself in the local culture of the Gnawa people in Khamlia Village, famous for their hypnotic music and drumming traditions. Visit Lake Dayet Srij, a seasonal lake that attracts flamingos and other migratory birds, or explore the fossil fields - an ancient seabed rich in ancient marine fossils.
Roadside Hacks
The first time I flew with my bike was on the return trip from Naples. The first challenge was finding a bike box, which turned out to be quite difficult. Bike shops are scattered throughout the city, and I had to waste time navigating through awful traffic just to find one shop that had a box available. They charged 20 euros for the box, even though these are just disposable cartons that people throw away all the time. On top of that, I had to figure out how to get my bike to the airport, as a small car taxi wouldn’t take a bike box, which complicated matters even more.
Eventually, I spotted a thick cardboard box discarded on the street not far from my hostel. I improvised by folding and taping it to create a makeshift bike box. This solution not only solved the "finding a box" problem, but it also allowed me to ride to the airport.
For future trips, I came prepared. I crafted a reusable bike cover from a 2x3 meter gardening plastic sheet, double folding it into a 1x1.5 meter double-layer envelope. I stitched the short edges and added two zippers that meet in the middle of the long edge, where the seat post sticks out. The best part is that the plastic sheet came with eyelets, perfectly aligned after folding, allowing me to run a cord through them and create a shoulder strap for easy carrying.
The bike needs to have the front wheel, rack, pedals, handlebars, and saddle removed. For extra protection, I use any cardboard that comes my way and I can’t stress enough how easy it is to find. It doesn’t need to be a single, thick box; I can use multiple layers of cardboard of any size on each side for great protection. If a box isn’t easy to find though, I head to commercial areas where businesses often receive large shipments in big boxes (such as for furniture or appliances), or as a backup, I can always buy cardboard from hardware stores. The best thing about this envelope is that it’s foldable and reusable, so I can store it easily during my trip and know I’ll always have a way to transport my bike, no matter where I am.
Comments
Post a Comment