Simon Mulvey was recently in Tunisia, tracking down the locations used in Episode IV. In doing so he probably became the very first fan to track down the locations of Episode II! Here's his report and photos from the set:

Hi, I've just returned from Tunisia and while I was out there I used the brilliant Star Wars Traveler guide (thanks Gus) while wondering around the country.

I was in town a week after the film crew had left, a fact that acually worked to my advantage, as I could gain photo access to the Sidi Driss Hotel (Lars Homestead Interior) where the previous week it had been banned. Not only was the hotel brilliant to see in the flesh, but the whole place had been restored to a newer, cleaner, younger version of the Lars building. If you study the photos carefully, they have replicated every piece perfectly.

The moisture vaporator had been removed, but the bolt holes remained on the floor. Every bulkhead was and motor was made of plastic or wood, although you would never guess. We settled down for a drink in THAT dining room but no blue milk was available, so we settled for a beer. The local workers seemed to have been paid not to say anything, but equally, put a few coins their way and that soon speak up.

We have to take what they say with a pinch of salt, but after a struggled conversation, they believed that Christiansen, Portman and Best had all been in town. There was also a dark haired younger man and woman, several children and an older man and woman. They said they recognised the older man, but did not know his name (Lee?).

Leaving Matmata, we headed to Hadada, home of the episode 1 slave quarters. Suprised to find a lot of the plastic door ribbing used in 97 still in place, we helpd ourselves to a bit on Annakins door frame (a hard one to get to!) and headed off.

I can confirm the slave quarters have not been used for any Episode 2 filming. The caretaker says there was no return to Hadada, but he had heard that a film crew had filmed somewhere in the local mountain range.

A few days later I traveled to the west side of the country. I popped into Star Wars Canyon (no new filming there) and grabbed one of the few remaining pieces of Krayt Dragon at La Dunes. A bigger surprise was in store when I returned to el Chott (the crater rim used for the Lars Homestead Exterior). Driving out into the middle of nowhere, I landed on Tatooine! The rim was rebuilt, the roof quarter and entrance hut were back, the vaporators had been taken away, but fresh ground marks remain in therir place. There were also very large sand prints like landing gear. A "local" camel trader (this really is in the middle on nowhere) said a large wooden structure had been brought it with people moving in and out.

Here'r the photos that Simon sent:

Hotel dining room
Looking down into hotel
Roof
Simon with lightsaber inside hotel
Props
More props
Jawa rock
A familiar building
The hotel from a distance

Thanks for the report Simon! Remember readers, if you've had any similar experiences, please don't hesitate to send them in!