Talk:Lake Asal (Djibouti)

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[edit] Practical Advice for the Tourist

Lake Asal (Lac Assal) is located in a very remote location approximately 110km West of Djibouti city. The remote location coupled with the harsh environment (temperatures can top 50 degrees C) make trip planning essential to ensure comfort and safety. In fact this region boasts the highest year round average temperature in the world at 122 degrees F. Reliable transportation is a must as a breakdown could prove disasterous. Cellular service is available in the region which is quite remarkable but without prior contingency planning getting help would prove difficult at best. There is nothing to provide shade around the lake and there are no restrooms availble. Sunscreen is also a must in anyone with fair skin. Bringing a lunch with you is also a good idea as you will likely be gone for several hours on a visit to the lake. Local inhabitants are in the area to sell geological curiosities such as salt crystals, geodes and objects that have been encased in a salt crust. Bring several hundred Djiboutan Francs or even fresh bottled water and haggle to get some good deals.

In addition to it's barter value, a good supply of bottled water for drinking and fresh water for rinsing off is mandatory. The lake itself is a hypertonic, super-saturated saltwater solution that readily forms salt crystals on evaportion. Floating in this water is very easy. When in depths that would be over your head the bather will float with the water at about chest level. Indeed it is very difficult to submerge in this water. Be careful, however, the salt will burn and sting the eyes, tongue and any cut or abrasion on the body. Bringing a bottle of fresh water into the lake with you is a good idea in case of accidental contact with the eyes or mouth. Sturdy water shoes of some sort are required as the lake bottom is covered with salt crystal formations that will readily cause lacerations in unprotected skin when not handled carefully. Gloves would be helpful as well for the same purpose. Rinsing off after exiting the water will greatly enhance comfort. Any items exposed to the saltwater will quickly be covered with a thin cake of salt as soon as it dries. Sunglasses will opacify and should be fresh water rinsed to avoid scratching the lenses. Do not forget to re-apply sunscreen.

Many interesting salt formations can be seen at the lake. The salt flats can be driven across and extend several kilometers along the Western edge of the lake. At the far side of the lake and along the whole shore past the main tourist area the lake floor is much nicer covered with rock salt instead of crystals or sand. There is an entire camel that has been preserved by mummification. Among other sights to see are a nearby hotspring and a tectonic Divergent boundaries that forms the Afar Triangle. The Afar Triangle is a volcanic region formed by the divergence of the Arabian and two African plates of the East African Great Rift Valley region.

Lake Asal is one of the many unique sights to be seen when visiting Djibouti. Take the time to visit this unusual scenic wonder.--Drrussdc 15:14, 7 March 2007 (UTC)