Alright, it’s another Star Wars day! Our first stop was Matmata, about 3 hours west of Zarzis. As you approach the desert, a long, dusty road leads you into Matmata’s unique architectural landscape. The town is famous for its stone-carved underground and mountainside troglodyte homes. These historic structures, made famous by Star Wars, are unfortunately disappearing as their mostly Berber inhabitants emigrate to cities and towns.
One notable location is the Hotel Sidi Driss, which was chosen as the setting for Luke’s family home due to its distinctive underground architecture. We learned that these nomadic dwellings are constructed by digging a circular, deep hole in the soft sandstone using simple hand tools. Caves are then excavated in and around the pit to create underground chambers, with the main pit serving as a courtyard that remains cool in summer and warm in winter. These nomadic tribes remained relatively unknown to the outside world until the 1960s when catastrophic flooding brought them to the attention of the Tunisian government.
Arriving outside Sidi Driss felt like stepping into a Star Wars shrine. It’s not the most private hotel to stay at, as tourists flock here, especially during the season, thanks to “Galaxy Tours.” We paid a small entrance fee to explore the hotel. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I guess I envisioned something more expansive. However, Rachel was undeterred and enjoyed exploring, while I eventually suggested that we move on.
As we headed southwest, we were once again treated to the desert landscape, with stretches of hot and hazy road snaking through it. It wasn’t uncommon to only encounter a couple of vehicles in an hour. We tried not to dwell on the thought of breaking down, and neither of us mentioned it until we were safely home. We drove through a small hamlet and stopped outside Ksar Hadada a fortified granary or (ksar), located in Tataouine and a Star Wars-famous location converted into a hotel, albeit a slightly more upscale one. I had the opportunity to peek inside one of the rooms, which turned out to be more spacious than I had imagined. Set on three floors, the top bedrooms managed to accommodate double beds, with the rooms connected by a narrow carved staircase. It was a bit bewildering to see a cave with three floors, but I could understand the appeal of spending a night or two here.
For me, the highlight of the day undoubtedly came as we wound our way through the rugged landscape. Its harshness held a unique beauty, and to top off what would be our last excursion in Tunisia, we were fortunate enough to drive past a Golden Wolf (Yellow Jackal) standing on a dune, surveying undoubtedly its territory. Absolutely fantastic!
Dream Chasers 