A dromedary is a one-humped camel, and I don’t care what anyone says – they are not comfortable!

Unfortunately, I discovered this at the start of a 3 day trek into the Erg Chebbi, in south western Morocco. A lot of desert in Morocco is stony and flat, but the Erg Chebbi is blessed with fine sand and looming dunes. They stretch as far as the eye can see and the silence amongst them is serene. This was The Sahara of my imagination.

As we approached our camp for our first night, my rump was raw. Drawing nearer, I could see tents at the foot of an enormous dune. We were told that when there was rain (erm, when?) the dune was perfect for sand skiing. Our guide rustled up some dinner out of seemingly nothing, and told us there was no room inside the tents – we’d be sleeping outside. With as little contact on my hind as possible I fell asleep on a rug.

Sleeping under the stars was fantastic, but waking up in pitch black with rustling sounds around me was a bit unnerving. Plus, there was no escaping the sunrise at 6am. Well, not unless you have real dedication.

On our way early the next morning, we escaped the heat of the day by sheltering in a shack. There was literally no other cover for miles around. By evening we’d reached a family well. Whilst we clambered up to the top of a dune to take some photos, the mother made some couscous. And after night fell, the husband and his herd of goats returned from ‘greener pastures’ (erm, where?). The goats were clearly still hungry as they nibbled at our toes beneath the blanket.

It was a little sad to arrive back to the town of Merzouga and say goodbye to our few days in seclusion. It had been a cleansing time, even though I had 3 days worth of dirt on me.