Sand everywhere.

Where we were staying in the desert was very close to the edge of a huge crater and at the top the ibex have got used to being fed and so they hang around the lookout point. We didn't see any males up close  there but did see one by the side of the road. There were plenty of females and babies though. 

And other mountain climbers.

Isaac wanted to go down into the crater so we drove down and there were a lot of cars in one area so we parked and had a look. We found a huge area where they'd ground the different rocks into pile of coloured sand. Families were visiting and having a picnic and filling bottles and jars with the different colours. Our two just played (and played and played).

The farm was great fun and nearby was a small desert zoo that had a selection of reptiles and rodents mostly. We happened to be there at the right time for tortoise feeding and the kids had a great time throwing greens into the enclosures.

There were lots of tadpoles too.

And then it was back to the sand pits again.

Before driving back up to the city. 

There was a distinct lack of camels by the road though - I did see a few by a village but that was all. 

Desert adventures.

In amongst seeing family we took a few days to go down to the desert and stay on an alpaca farm. The day we went there was a sand storm and strong winds and it was hard to see any of the beautiful landscapes we were driving through. The kids still had fun running in the wind and climbing on rocks but Matthew was very unimpressed. 

The farm was great and there were lots of opportunities for general climbing and digging and exploring and a bit of llama riding. Although I think the Angry Birds ice lollies were as much of a hit as the animals.