My new pastime

The desert sun seemed extra hot after all the time I spend in the cold dark tomb. The journey back to Camp Moon felt much shorter as my head was swimming with ideas and possibilities, even as I was walking away from the tomb I was already planning my next exploration.

I set out from Camp Moon at daybreak and headed back to Base Camp. I realised I must have completely lost track of time while exploring the tomb as by the time I got back there was just enough time to gather all my belongings before catching the ferry to the airport for my flight home.

I was really sad to go, there was still so much I wanted to see and do but unfortunately that is just the way life goes. I hope one of these days I will be granted a longer stay visa so I don't have to leave so soon.

By my second day back home I was starting to get restless again, I spend hours examining all the bits and pieces of artifacts that I found back in Al Simhara but I really needed something to keep me busy.

I found the answer the next morning in the add section of my local newspaper, SimPools were having a special on swimming pool installations, apparently they can install a brand new pool in only three days. I phoned them up and then spend the next few days watching in amazement as they transformed the empty space in my back yard into a beautiful sparkling pool.





It took quite some time to fill the pool but by the evening of the fourth day I was able to take my first swim in my new pool. I just love it, I went and bought two pool side loungers and a shade umbrella, now I basically live in my back yard, when I'm not swimming I sit by the pool side playing games on my laptop, its the perfect way to relax.


Love,
Harriet

Flame Fruit

After a few hours sleep I packed up my tent and headed deeper into the tomb in serch of more flame fruit.

In one of the passages I found a few ancient coins, they were quite a bit bigger and rougher than our modern money. I will have to examine them more closely once I get out of here.





I almost walked straight into a firetrap but luckily managed to avoid it and got it disarmed before it singed me.





Further down the way was blocked by piles of rubble, it was hard work clearing a path but I was determined not to give up. I eventually managed to make a big enough opening for me to get through.

I found another stone dive well and at the bottom there was a tunnel that led to a secret chamber. There were magnificent drawings and writings all round the walls of this room.

After much exploring I discovered a hidden door in one of the wall panels, beyond that was a small room just big enough to house a dive well. At the bottom of the well was a lever that opened a door to a stone treasure chess. The lid was very heavy but once opened I found fragments of a sarcophagus inside.





I made my way back to the chamber with all the writing on the walls, there was a door on the furthest wall and when I walked through it I could hardly believe my eyes. I was standing in a beautiful chamber with statues in the corners, pictographs on the walls and there in the middle of the floor a small garden of flame fruit plants. Their glow lit up the chamber and I could hardly get myself to move. I just stood there staring at them, it was amazing to see so many ripe fruit in the same place.







I finally pulled myself together and carefully picked the ripe fruit. I wonder if it would be possible to grow these back home. I will have to do some research on gardening.

I spend a few more hours exploring the chamber where I found the fruit before deciding to head back to the entrance. When I finally stepped out of the tomb the sun was just starting to rise, so with one last look at the pyramids I set off back to Camp Moon.

Love,
Harriet

The first obstacle

At first light I had a closer look at the entrance to the Tomb. It has a huge, heavy stone door and I knew I would not be able to just push it open. I spend a few hours examining the walls all around the doorway and eventually found a hidden switch that made the doors slowly swing open. A huge cloud of dust came pouring out the entrance and the smell in the air reminded me of old books and libraries.





I could not believe I was finally standing inside this amazing tomb, I actually had to laugh at myself when I realised I was holding my breath with anticipation. There was no sound inside the first chamber and my heart was beating so fast it sounded like drums in my ears.





I had a look around and found a keystone on the floor that opened a door to the second chamber. I noticed a large pile of ancient coins in one corner of the chamber and in the middle there was a stone pool full of water; beyond that I could see a passage leading to another chamber. I was lucky to notice the firetrap switch in the passage before stepping on it and was able to deactivate it thanks to all the research books I have been reading on traps.

The next chamber also had a stone pool in it and a door that would not open no matter what I tried. Eventually I decided to explore the pool and with my second breath I discovered a secret lever right at the bottom of the pool. It took some effort to get it to move but once I managed it the door in the chamber opened all by itself.





I went down a set of stone steps to the lower levels of the tomb and as I got to the bottom I finally saw it; the legendary Flame Fruit. It was magnificent, there were three bushes but only the one bush had a ripe fruit on it. The fruit glowed in the dark like a red jewel I could hardly believe I finally found one.





My parents wrote about the legend of the Flame Fruit but in all the time they spend in Al Simhara they never managed to find any. I was not even sure if it really existed - but here it was lighting up the dark tomb with its brilliant glow.

I carefully picked the ripe fruit and put it in my backpack; now that I knew they were real I simply had to find more.

By this time though I was exhausted so I found a chamber that was just big enough for me to set my tent up. This way I will be able to get some rest without having to leave the tomb. I figured out how to use the timer on my camera, so here is a picture of me getting ready to spend my first night sleeping in an ancient tomb, I just hope I don't run into any mummies tonight.



Love,
Harriet

Tomb of the Burning Sands

I got a few good hours of sleep but woke up around 2am - and after that there was just no way of going back to sleep. I decided I might as well pack up camp and get going before the sun comes up again.

It was just as well that I filled all my water containers before leaving Camp Moon, the desert sun seemed extra hot and I really hoped that I would reach the tomb before nightfall.

As I climbed up yet another big sand dune I suddenly saw the tomb in the distance. It was an incredible sight and I got so excited I forgot all about the scorching heat and my poor aching feet. I just wanted to get there as fast as I could.




By the time I finally reached the tomb it was getting dark again, I knew it would be foolish to try and enter an unknown tomb in the dark so I reluctantly decided to wait until morning before trying to find the legendary Flame Fruit that is supposed to grow somewhere within its passages.

Standing at the foot of this amazing wonder I can hardly believe how much my life has changed in the past few months since I set out on this new path. I feel so much more at peace in my heart and I know that this is where I am meant to be.




Love,
Harriet

Camp Moon

I set out after having a quick breakfast at our Base Camp kitchen. It was basic but had everything I needed to fill my tummy.




After trekking through the hot desert all day I was very happy to reach Camp Moon where I planned to stay for the night. I set up my tent in the shade of the ancient trees before lighting a small fire and sitting back to watch the flames dancing in the moonlight. I am always amazed at how cold it can get in the desert at night so the gentle heat is just what I need to keep warm.




Camp Moon is the half-way stop to the Tomb of the Burning Sands, so if I can get going really early in the morning I should be able to reach the entrance to the tomb before nightfall.

Nite, nite.


Love,
Harriet

Back to Al Simhara

I'm finally back in Al Simhara and it feels like I never left. I got into base camp late last night but this time there was no confusion, I knew exactly where everything was and it took almost no time to get my tent sorted out before I could go and relax around the camp fire.

At first light I was up and ready to go, I decided to head to the market for an early breakfast and to do some browsing at the market stalls. After breakfast I met up with Inji and she explained that Morcu Corp is looking for a strain of Flame Fuit that is said to only grow in the Tomb of the Burning Sands, I have been waiting for an opportunity like this so I offered to go to the Tomb and retrieve the fruit.





She seemed suprised that at my offer but accepted it non-the-less and has even offered to pay me for my time and trouble. This is brilliant, not only will I get to explore this ancient tomb but I'm even getting payed to do it.

After talking to Inji for a while I found a little bookshop in the market and bough a cooking book that teaches you how to make Shawarmas and a reference book called South of the Simhara to read up more on the local culture.





Back at base camp I had a last look though my backpack to make sure I have all the supplies I will need to survive in the desert for a few days. It might be best to get to bed early tonight so that I will be well rested when I set out towards the tomb in the morning.

Nite nite everyone.

Love,
Harriet

Home sweet home

The flight home was exhausting and by the time the taxi finally dropped me off I had just enough energy left to soak in a hot bubble bath before crawling into bed. I sleep right through the night and also missed most of the next morning as I only surfaced just before lunchtime. It felt so strange to be back home again I was actually scared that the entire adventure might have been just a dream, luckily all the sand in my shoes was enough to convince me that it was all very real.

I spend the afternoon sorting out my luggage and some of the bits and pieces I picked up on my trip. I still have a good supply of high quality dried food and a few bottles of shower-in-a-can that I want keep for my next trip.

I sent away the stones I picked up in the desert to be cut by a local jeweler and they turned out beautifully, I will have to invest in a display case at some point to showcase all my travel memorabilia.





A few days after I got back I found a pamphlet in my mailbox from a new beauty salon that has opened up near my house, so I decided to treat myself to a makeover. The consultant was so sweet and I felt very pampered. He cut my hair in a very short straight bob and helped me pick out a new outfit that is comfortable yet slightly more feminine than my normal jeans and t-shirts. I'm still getting use to my new hairstyle but I think it looks and feels great and it will be much easier to care for when I'm traveling.





I was getting really tired of always waiting for a taxi so I went to the local car dealer and bought my first car, a brand new Renault Tizzy. Its a little electric car that is not only better for the environment but I also think it is just too cute for words.





It’s been a fun week back at home but I'm already looking forward to my next trip back to Al Simhara. My ticket is booked and my bags are all packed and ready to go. Now I just have to count the days till I leave again.

Love,
Harriet