It was my third time in Djenne, and yet, it never fails to disappoint me.  The city, declared a UNESCO heritage site, is made entirely of sand and mud, and home to the largest mud mosque in the world.  It feels like you are walking within a giant sandcastle city, so it’s easy for your imagination to run wild.  Last time I was here in October, we were allowed to enter the mosque.  This time, at the height of the tourist season, entering the mosque was forbidden by non-Muslims.

Non-Muslims forbidden from entering mosque

Non-Muslims forbidden from entering mosque

That didn’t prevent us from taking a gazillion pictures of the outside of the mosque.  Here is just one.

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After the morning in Djenne, we proceeded to drive to Mopti (2 hours away) right in time to take a sunset cruise on the Niger Rive (our 4th encounter).

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In a Tuareg village off the river

My brother and I in a Tuareg village off the river

My beau and I in a Bozo village of the Niger

My beau and I in a Bozo village of the Niger

More on Day 3 tomorrow.