An Expedition to reality – the Mythical Timbuktu

Ever wondered what did the early explorers went through when they salvaged for the discovery of a new community, new lands, and new settlements? They would risk the uncertainty of accessing basic necessities of life. Their travels would let them lead through desolate deserts, tropical forests or expansive wastelands. They would be ever ready to forego the luxuries of their homes, in the lone quest of discovering something new for the human race to ponder upon. But you would not be aware of all these hardships unless you get to visit such unseen places yourself.

Upon their robust travels, they came across the legendary city of Timbuktu. Located on the edge of the Sahara desert, this historical hub of African influence has lived through centuries of invasions and settlements, whose traces are present today. Most notable of these include the French colonial settlement, as well as the reign of the Tuareg, Songhai, and the Moroccan advent.

Historians have revered that the initial human settlement blossomed on the basis of salt and gold trade routes leading to the Middle East. Ancient salt mines from those times exist and are operational to date, supplying slabs of salt either through camel caravans of nomadic tribes or truck companies.

The dusty town has a population which has presided over the centuries, becoming natives in their own sense. With Timbuktu regarded as the centre of knowledge in West Africa, this city of the scholars had functioned to provide Islamic teachings in its Golden age. The most solid evidence resides with certain families who are the custodians of heaps of Arabic manuscripts. These manuscripts were handed down to the generation by generation by their own ancestors.

Timbuktu still has a lot of its grandeur preserved in its architectural heritage. Branded as a UNESCO world heritage site endangered from desertification as well as natural damage, the city has many landmarks with structural designs never observed before. The Djingareyber mosque, constructed under the directives of Mali’s emperor in the 13^th century, resonates the simplicity of mud and stone composed with an engineering design so robust that its pillars stand tall today. Sidi Yayah mosque and the Sankore Madressah are adjacent to it, with flower patterned walls bordering the Madrassah’s verandahs.  Remnants of French forts from the colonial times are also present.

There is indeed a standardized accommodation in the middle of Timbuktu’s town, The Hotel Hendrina Khan. The hotel’s restaurant has been regarded with providing sumptuous dishes on the table on a daily basis, while the Dj on the house might throw everyone in some dance and music with ample audience. All basic provisions such as air-conditioning, telephone, television and water are available. Additional services include camel rides and hippo sightseeing.

Flights to Bamako take off from a series of airports of the UK, Bristol, Manchester, and of course, Heathrow. From there you’ll take it to the road. Take a scenic alternative if you’ve got the nerve for it, because a boat ride through the Niger River will let you explore culture, rural and urban, across the Malian shores