The Illustrated Guide To Algiers And Algeria

Author : Thomas Cook Ltd
Publisher : Theclassics.Us
ISBN 13 : 9781230342139
Total Pages : 142 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (421 download)

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Download or read book Cook's Practical Guide to Algiers, Algeria and Tunisia written by Thomas Cook Ltd and published by Theclassics.Us. This book was released on 2013-09 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...Crossing the lake by an island, the route lies through a barren country to El Biod, a fortified post well supplied with water, commanding the passage of the Chott-er-Rarbi, and rising gradually the railway attains the height of 1,140 metres at Mecheria, an abandoned village, now a military post of extent and importance, with a number of native dwellings, situated at the foot of the Djebel Antar. Leaving Mecheria the country becomes more barren and rocky, with scarcely coarse grass enough to feed the large flocks of sheep scattered over the yellow desert. In this way, with nothing but the stations of Naama and Mekalis and the mountains of Morocco in the distance, the road continues for 100 kilometres to Ai'n Sefra, the largest military station in this part of Algeria, with barrack accommodation for 5,000 soldiers. But Ai'n Sefra is more than this, it is the first ksar, or native village, one can visit in the date country of the Sahara. The inhabitants belong to the tribe of the Amour, each village of which has its own administration. The houses are of bricks dried in the sun, with one living room, and one small sleeping room for everybody and everything, such as donkeys, goats, fowls, children. The men do nothing but smoke or eat, the women make hai'cks and burnous for sale to the tribes. The village is built on the side of a hill, beneath which flows the Oued Sefra (Saffron River). The houses have smart gardens planted with fig and pomegranate trees, and beyond are the date trees. Hotels.--Hotel de France, Hotel des Voyageurs, and at the station are a few beds, which can be occupied by the permission of the Franco-Algerian Company. Excursions can be made to the oases of Tiout and Moghrar, but more conveniently by rail, see below....