Packed and ready to go I hand Mohammed Mazan a tip, he’s very good with his bowing and appreciation and no different to the tip I left Mohammed the driver. The driver has such a wonderful wide smile and is without so warm and friendly. Although I never got close up front I can imagine his driving and smiling. We have had no close encounter, near misses and he always slows for the pot holes and ramps to the point you never feel them.
The museum opens just after 09.30 during Ramadan and although we are just behind an Italian group we are way ahead of the other groups. So first in means we are the last group out. The museum has much of the mosaics and chattels found in Leptis with the astonishing originals of what would adorn the attico of Septimus Triumphant arch. The detail is still sharp considering this went up in the 2nd century. All the statues and pieces are mainly marble and all are the originals.
Airborne the plane is almost empty with no one having to sit three abreast. As most people were ready early the plane boarded and we were able to depart 30 mins before our slot but we are going to get hit with a head wind all the way over the Med and up through France.
All three Mo’s seem very happy today as the tour is coming to an end and most passengers are tipping them, some very generous by all accounts. The driver I gave 50 dinars, as we seem to have bonded with my early morning Arabic pronunciation lessons each day. Both the Mohammed’s I left 60 dinars each as they deserved it. Still at the airport, Mo the organiser gets us checked in and through the gates before he leaves his charges.
From beginning to end there has not been one single bad or low point.
The group dynamics worked well, albeit that some developed their little cliques and others pottered. It was a memorable week. Good for the three Mohammeds, for Dah Sahara who did a great job.
Memorable.