Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Adventurous photographer hitchhikes across the Sahara desert on the world’s longest train, braving sandstorms and sleeping on cargo to shoot breath-taking images of Mauritania 

  • Professional photographer Jody MacDonald embarked on a two-month expedition through the Sahara Desert, Africa
  • The 39-year-old rode across the land, which takes up 90 per cent of the country, in open-top carriages full of iron ore
  • Jody, that was born in Canada, spent months of meticulous preparing prior to jumping onboard the epic freight train 

Georgia Diebelius For Mailonline

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An intrepid photographer hitches a ride through the Sahara Desert on among the world’s longest trains – along with her surfboard in tow.

The stunning photos were taken in Mauritania throughout a two month expedition at the tail-end of 2015 by professional photographer Jody MacDonald.

The 39-year-old rode across the Sahara – which takes up an astonishing 90 per cent of the country – in open-top carriages full of iron ore alongside various other train hoppers.

Adventurer Jody MacDonald jumped on board one of the world's longest trains during a two month expedition. Photo taken in Mauritania

Adventurer Jody MacDonald jumped on board among the world’s longest trains throughout a two month expedition. Photo taken in Mauritania

Curious wild camels stand and stare at MacDonald in this stunning image that was captured in the Sahara desert last year

Curious wild camels stand and stare at MacDonald in this stunning image that was captured in the Sahara desert last year

During her journey, Jody and her team faced many difficulties including a big sandstorm that hit them during their time in Africa

During her journey, Jody and her group faced lots of difficulties including a big sandstorm that strike them throughout their time in Africa

A Mauritanian man walking through a sand storm in the Sahara desert. Photo was taken between October and November in 2015

A Mauritanian man strolling through a sand storm in the Sahara desert. Photo was taken between October and November in 2015

Jody, that was born in Canada, spent months of meticulous preparing prior to jumping onboard the epic freight train.

She started her quest in the capital of Nouakchott, prior to travelling to the north west location of Mauritania called Nouadhibou.

Jody said: ‘The train is among the world’s longest. It’s an iron ore train that comes from a mine in the north and goes to Nouadhibou on the north west coast.

‘From there we searched for surf and shipwrecks on the coast.’

Jumping from car to car onboard one of the world's longest trains, the travellers rode through the Sahara Desert in Africa

Jumping from auto to auto onboard among the world’s longest trains, the travellers rode through the Sahara Desert in Africa

Sleeping on top of the iron, a member of the group relaxes as they travel across the desert - which takes up an astonishing 90 per cent of the country

Sleeping on top of the iron, a member of the group relaxes as they travel across the desert – which takes up an astonishing 90 per cent of the country

MacDonald started her journey in the capital of Nouakchott, before travelling to the north west area of Mauritania. Pictured: An Imagruen fisherman going out to sea for a day of fishing 

MacDonald started her quest in the capital of Nouakchott, prior to travelling to the north west location of Mauritania. Pictured: An Imagruen fisherman going out to sea for a day of fishing 

During the ride, MacDonald and her group were buffeted by a huge sandstorm, along with winds of up to 95 miles per hr which she said ‘felt adore sandpaper’.

‘I believed my skin was going to scrape off, due to the rain and blowing sand,’ she added.

‘The gusts were so violent, it pinned me to the adverse of the train truck and earned opening the truck door impossible.

‘After a couple of minutes, the wind died down and I was able to open the door. As quickly as I got inside there was glass everywhere. Our spine window had permanently imploded.

‘It was soaking wet inside too. Our guide had been sitting in the spine and had cuts all of over his physique from the glass.’

The cross-country adventure was the culmination of a lifelong dream for the professional photographer

The cross-country adventure was the culmination of a lifelong dream for the professional photographer

A Mauritanian man walking into the vastness of the Sahara desert. Photo taken in Mauritania, Africa, last year

A Mauritanian man strolling in to the vastness of the Sahara desert. Photo taken in Mauritania, Africa, last year

The 39-year-old rode across the Sahara. Pictured: One of the group jumps from car to car on the journey

The 39-year-old rode across the Sahara. Pictured: among the group jumps from auto to auto on the journey

Jody MacDonald currently lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has been a professional photographer for eight years

Jody MacDonald currently lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has actually been a professional photographer for eight years

MacDonald said: 'Train hopping thorough the Sahara on one of the world's longest trains. This was one of those rare times in life where the expectations of your dreams and reality converge and it plays our how you imagined'

MacDonald said: ‘Train hopping thorough the Sahara on among the world’s longest trains. This was among those rare times in life where the expectations of your dreams and naked truth converge and it plays our exactly how you imagined’

Once they got to the coast, MacDonald explored the beaches for shipwrecks among the surf.

The adventure was the culmination of a lifelong dream for the professional photographer.

She said: ‘As quickly as I was young, I used to look through National Geographic magazines and dream of adventures adore this.

‘Train hopping thorough the Sahara on among the world’s longest trains. This was among those rare times in life where the expectations of your dreams and naked truth converge and it plays our exactly how you imagined.’

Jody MacDonald currently lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has actually been a professional photographer for eight years.

During the ride, MacDonald and her team were buffeted by a huge sandstorm, with winds of up to 95 miles per hour which she said 'felt like sandpaper'

During the ride, MacDonald and her group were buffeted by a huge sandstorm, along with winds of up to 95 miles per hr which she said ‘felt adore sandpaper’

An Imraguen fisherman onboard his traditional sailing boat. Photo taken on a cloudy morning in Mauritania, Africa

An Imraguen fisherman onboard his traditional sailing boat. Photo taken on a cloudy morning in Mauritania, Africa

MacDonald added: 'When I was young, I used to look through National Geographic magazines and dream of adventures like this.'

MacDonald added: ‘As quickly as I was young, I used to look through National Geographic magazines and dream of adventures adore this.’

 



from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/1WehyU8

Adventurous photographer hitchhikes across the Sahara desert on the world’s longest train, braving sandstorms and sleeping on cargo to shoot breath-taking images of Mauritania  Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Blog baru

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