The Jamaican delegation on tour in the southern Sahara Desert in southern Libya, April 17 to 24, included, standing, from left: Ingrid Ziadie, Monica Ladd, Gordon Townsend, Errol Bennett, Oliver Clarke and Jean Wallace. Seated are: Busha Clarke and Alexandra Clarke

A group of eight Jamaicans recently went on a camping trip to the Sahara Desert in Africa. The trip was organised by Andreas Bender, a German tour guide and travel consultant, who has travelled to the far corners of the earth. Andreas Bender first came to Jamaica in 1979. He fell in love with the country and has been coming to Jamaica ever since.

So, when Bender turned 50, he decided to celebrate by inviting 100 of his nearest and dearest friends from around the world, including a group of Jamaicans, to join him on a wild adventure - a week-long camping trip in the Sahara Desert of Libya in north Africa.

The group, drawn from over 20 different countries, travelled in 60 four-wheel drive vehicles, accompanied by 60 Tuareg - the local tribesmen of the Sahara. They travelled for 1,500 kilometres across totally uninhabited terrain, camping in the sand.

The Jamaican contingent was the second largest group, after Germany. Other countries represented included: Switzerland, Czech Republic, England, France, Poland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Chile, Brazil, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Cape Verde Islands, India, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

The Jamaicans were a forceful presence, decorating their cars with Jamaican decals and flags, playing Jamaican music tapes - all in great demand from the Tuareg drivers. Rumours of Jamaican rum being available (alcohol is illegal in Libya), could not be confirmed by The Gleaner. On the last day of the trip, the Jamaicans prepared Blue Mountain coffee, much to the delight of the group, who had barely survived on instant coffee during the preceding days.