november-2011

TUNISIA
Maul and Qui-Gon, while the Mos
Espa set is also nearby.
Sidi Bouhel, outside the western
city of Tozeur, is nicknamed “Star
Wars Canyon” by Lucasfilm and is
where the Jawas capture R2-D2 and
where Luke meets Obi-Wan Kenobi
for the first time. In Medenine, in
the east of Tunisia, a Berber fortress,
or ksar, acted as a backdrop for
Anakin’s home in the prequels.
Tataouine, also in southern Tunisia,
gave its name to Luke Skywalker’s
planet, while the Isle of Djerba is
home to Chalmun’s Cantina (once a
traditional Berber bakery in Ajim),
Obi-Wan’s hut (just north of Ajim)
and the spot where Luke and
Obi-Wan enter the Mos Eisley
spaceport (Sidi Jemour). Tunisia is
like Graceland for Star Wars fans.
“Tunisia will, I think, be forever
linked to Star Wars mythology,”
says Cooper. “Regardless of the
new technologies used to create
exotic space locations, the simple
practicality of a desert and these
strange buildings is an amazingly
effective way to immerse yourself
in the mythology. And the best
thing is it’s so inexpensive to just
go there and walk around. No
theme parks, no merchandise shop,
no salesmen. Just untouched, iconic
scenery as far as the eye can see.”
And nowhere is that truer than
Chott el Jerid.
“It’s far more than just a film
location,” says Dermul. “The Igloo
brings strangers together who become
instant friends because we speak one
common language which is Star Wars.
That’s why it’s so important that we
make sure it will be around for future
generations of fans.” TC
Thomas Cook offers a tour of Tunisia’s
classic Star Wars locations with the Sahara
Explorer excursion, bookable direct with your
Thomas Cook representative when in resort
For more about Tunisia visit your local
Thomas Cook or Going Places store,
call +44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit
thomascook.com
88 Thomas Cook Travel
LIGHTS, CAMEL, ACTION!
The Star Wars saga is not the
only iconic movie to be filmed
in Tunisia. Check out these
dune-busting classics
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Some of Indiana Jones’s greatest moments were shot in Tunisia, with the
country doubling for Egypt. The Cairo street scenes were filmed in Kairouan,
while Indy threatens to take out the Ark with a bazooka at the Sidi Bouhel
ravine to the east of Tozeur.
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