The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-10
LIFE IN AN OASIS.
Bright Skies and Pure, Dry sahara
Air i'm Biskra.

Air i'm Biskra.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.
The journey to that charming retreat
he-oasis of Biskra, in the Algerian Des-
ert on the edge of the Great Sahara. is
not at all arduous, and can be accomplish
ed direct from London in four days, the
through ticket costing a little over f12
From Marseilles the comfortable steam
ers of the Transatlantique Company leave
once week direct for Phillippeville, and
once weekly via Bona the direct crossing
taking thirty hours. From Philippeyille
Biskra is reached by rail in a day Most
travellers will prefer to break their Jour
ney at Constantine, that inland Gibraltar,
whose splendid situation, enthroned on its
isolated plateau of rock, is unique in the
world. Interesting as it Is, however, it I'M
fortunately lacks good hotel accommo-
dalton, an accusation which cannot be
urged against Biskra. which possesses at
least one frst-class hotel in the Royal,
and several others, the Victoria the
Oasis, the Des Zibans. etc. clean. com
Portable and moderate enough to suit ev-
cry ones means. The Royal is the most
modern, and has a large inner court laid
out as garden, and extensive fiat roof
and a minaret. whence the gorgeous des-
ert sunsets can be Viewed to perfection.
and a splendid view from the terrace
eastward. over the bed of the river. the
Oued-Biskra, to the Sahara and the pic.
turesque range OF hills, the Diebel- Metlili
on the horizon. The Dar-Daif Hotel attach
ed to the Casino. has an excellent restau-
rant and cafe, the prices at all these no
ranging from Il TO Is francs a day At
Biskra II rarely rains, though heavy trop-
zeal showers are not unknown bright sun
OH he
damp. and the pure. dry air Of the Sahara
is OF incalculabe benefit to seekers after
health; yet II has by no means the an
pearance of resort Of invaids only; the
little town wears a gay French air has
excellent shops and bazaars. public gar
dens. In which roses. heliotrope. hibiscus
and bougainvlllea vie in profuslon and col
oring: a highly Oriental looking marie.
a French fort. garrison and military club
all picturesquely contrasting with the
Arab life which 20 unaccustomed North
ern eyes is the great and salient novelty
of the place, Very quaint and interesting
are the native streets. the market square
with it's huddled groups of white robe1
Arabs the languid professions Of laden
and weary camels the tunnel shaped ave-
nues Of mimosa and the villages scat
tered about the oasis screened and over
hnug by countless waving date palms. not
less countless to the enchanted traveller
because his guide. with frigid accuracy
informs him that the oasis contains not
less than 10000 of these self-same palm
trees In this indolent land there Is yet
plenty for the energetic to do the morn
ings can be pleasantly occupied by bath
ing at the HANNA m-es-Salahin, six kllo.
meters out In the desert where there Is a
miniature bathing establishment built over
the springs. which have "a natural heat
OF 1i2 degrees Fahrenheit. As this heat
u.s. however, extremely enervatng to the
bather. II Is advisable TO order the bath
beforehand and to allow It time to cool to
a reasonable temperature. The tramway