Morocco

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

WE HAD JUST BEEN FROM ZURICH, THROUGH GERMANY, BELGIUM, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES BEFORE
HAVING BEEN TO PARTS OF MALAYSIA AND VIETNAM.

NOTHING HOWEVER COMPARES TO MARRAKECH AND OUTBACK MOROCCO.
WHAT AN AMAZING EXOTIC AND ENCHANTING PLACE!
OUR 5 SENSES WERE HIT BIG TIME FROM THE VARIOUS DIVERSE SIGHTS
TO THE SMELLS OF TAGINE, MINT TEA AND OTHER MOROCCAN CULTURAL DISHES,
TO THE HAUNTING SOUNDS OF EVENING PRAYER, TO THE FANTASTIC LOCAL MUSIC
THAT OUR GUIDE PLAYED ON OUR DESERT TRIP (more about that later)......
AND THEN THERE WERE THE SOUKS WITH BUSY BATERING, HAWKERS, SNAKE CHARMERS
AND EVENING STREET FOOD MINGLED WITH MISTY RISING SMOKE ....
THAT IS JUST A TASTE OF OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE HERE IN MOROCCO.

SO PLEASE GRAB A SNACK AND A DRINK OR 3 AND FOLLOW ALONG WHILST I RELIVE OUR
MOROCCAN ADVENTURE. OH AND PLEASE, DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A LITTLE COMMENT
TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU HAVE VISITED. THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED

~~~oOo~~~

WE ARRIVED ON AIR MAROC FROM ORLY AIRPORT PARIS. WOW! SO DIFFERENT!!
IT WAS HOT AND DUSTY.... A VAST CHANGE FROM WHERE WE HAD JUST COME FROM.
WE WERE MET BY A DRIVER THAT WE BOOKED FROM THE ACCOMMODATION.

I FOUND ACCOMMODATION RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE MEDINA IN MARRAKECH.
WE WERE MET FROM OUR CAR BY FOUAD FROM THE RIAD WHO KINDLY TOOK
OUR TRAVEL BAGS AND LED US THROUGH THE MAZE OF STREETS TO OUR NEW
HOME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

IT'S AMAZING THAT RIGHT NEAR THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE SOUKS AND
MARKET SQUARE, THERE ARE QUIET BACK STREETS LIKE THIS.
IT WAS EQUALLY AMAZING HOW THE NOISE OF THE BUSY SOUKS JUST
MELTED INTO THE COOL AMBIENCE OF THE SURROUNDING ARCHITECTURE.

RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES

RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES WAS A GREAT CHOICE.
THE STAFF THAT WE MET WERE ALL VERY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING.
I COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PLACE TO STAY

THIS CUTE LITTLE RIAD HAD AN OUTDOOR AREA UPSTAIRS OVERLOOKING
THE MEDINA. THE DECORATIONS IN THE MAIN AREA DOWNSTAIRS WERE
COLOURFUL AND PLEASANT TO LOOK AT WHILST EATING BREAKFAST.
HAVING SAID THAT, THE DECOR IN OUR ROOM INCLUDING GOLD PLATED
TAPS AND ACCESSORIES IN OUR BATHROOM WAS PRETTY COOL TOO

WE HAD OUR FIRST TAGINE EXPERIENCE HERE - A MOROCCAN DISH SLOW
COOKED IN CLAY WITH A LID. WE ALSO HAD THE LOCAL MINT TEA....
POURED BY HUBBY

FIRST NIGHT IN MOROCCO AT LA BOHEME RESTAURANT
OVERLOOKING DJAMMA EL FNA SQUARE

THIS WAS EXPENSIVE! EVEN BY AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS.
BUT I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO DO IT AGAIN!

CHECK THAT OUT!!

AND THAT!!

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO DINE ON YOUR FIRST NIGHT IN
AFRICA, OVERLOOKING THE MEDINA MARKET SQUARE -
DJAMAA EL FNA.

FOUAD FROM OUR RIAD SUGGESTED THAT WE DINE HERE.
OBVIOUSLY HE RECEIVED A CUT FROM THE RESTAURANT FOR TAKIING US.
WE HAD A FABULOUS TIIME!!!
WE ALSO ENJOYED OUR FIRST MOROCCAN BEER - CASABLANCA.
ALCOHOL IS NOT REDILLY AVAILABLE HERE SO THE ONLY PLACES YOU
CAN HAVE A DRINK ARE IN INTERNATIONAL HOTELS, EXPENSIVE
RESTAURANTS LIKE THIS ONE OR IN OBSCURE PLACES IN BACK
ALLEY WAYS BEHIND THE MEDINA.

THE SOUNDS OF EVENING PRAYER FOLLOWED BY NIGHT FALL AND A
FULL MOON RISING BEHIND THE MEDINA ARE ALL MEMORIES I WILL
NEVER FORGET!

JARDIN MARJORELLE

HUBBY IS A HORTICULTURIST AND AS SUCH LOVES GARDENS.
DURING OUR TRIP WE SAW A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GARDENS.
JARDIN MARJORELLE WAS UNIQUE FOR ITS COMBINATION OF RICH
COLOURS SURROUNDING IN AN AMONGST NATIVE DESERT PLANTS.

I JUST LOVED IT!

WE ARRIVED HERE BY HORSE AND CARRIAGE, ANOTHER FIRST FOR US
IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING OUR TRIP YOU WOULD KNOW THAT
WE HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED GREAT CHIMING CLOCKS,
CUTE COBBLED STONE STREETS, BEAUTIFUL CANALS, STAYING ON A
HOUSEBOAT, WINDMILLS, MANY CASTLES AND A GRAND PALACE !

SO HERE WE ARE IN EXOTIC MOROCCO AND OF COURSE YOU NEED TO
TAKE A HORSE AND CARRIAGE TRIP

IT WAS INTERESTING TO LEARN THE VARIOUS WORDS THAT WE HAVE
NOT COME ACROSS BEFORE.
SO I WILL TAKE A MINUTE TO DESCRIBE WHAT THEY ARE.

MEDINA
OLD HISTORIA PART OF TOWN TYPICALLY WALLED WITH NARROW
MAZE-LIKE STREETS.

RIAD
A TRADITIONAL HOUSE BUILT AROUND A CENTRAL COURTYARD.

SOUK
MARKET PLACE OR BAZAAR.

SO THAT IS WHY I PICKED OUR RIAD IN THE MEDINA AND AMONGST
THE MAZE OF NARROW BACK STREETS BEHIND THE SOUK

DJAMMA EL FNA

DJAMMA EL FNA, THE CENTRAL SQUARE OF MARRAKECH MEDINA
WAS INTERESTING TO SEE AT VARIOUS TIMES OF THE DAY.
AS YOU SAW ABOVE, AT NIGHT IT COMES ALIVE WITH ACTIVITY,
VENDERS, CAFES AND STREET FOOD.

HOWEVER, EARLY MORNING IT IS QUIET AND DESERTED.

SLOWLY SHOP VENDERS WERE PREPARING FOR ANOTHER
BUSY DAY IN THE SOUK.

THE HAWKERS START EARLY. BTW THEY ARE VERY PERSISTANT.
SOMETIMES EVEN OUR TACTIC OF A FIRM 'NO', LOOK STRAIGHT
AHEAD AND KEEP WALKING DID NOT WORK.

HOWARD GOT CAUGHT BY THE SNAKE CHARMERS WHO AFTER
SHOWING US THE SNAKE SHOW AND A SNAKEY KISS....
ASKED FOR MONEY

SPEAKING OF HAWKERS, WE FOUND THE BEST THING TO DO IN
THE SOUK WAS TO GET THE GIFT AND JEWELRY SHOPPING DONE
QUICKLY AS THIS WAS THE FIRST PLACE THAT WE HAVE EVER
EXPERIENCED PERSISTANT AND HARRASSING HAWKERS.
BRUSH UP ON THE EXCHANGE RATE BEFORE HAND SO THAT YOU DO
NOT GET RIPPED OFF. BE PREPARED TO BARTER HARD STARTING AT
BELOW HALF OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE OFFERED.

HOP ON HOP OFF BUS

I ENJOY STREET SCENES AND PEOPLE WATCHING WHEREVER WE TRAVEL.
A GREAT WAY TO EXPERIENCE THIS IS TO DO THE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS.

SADLY OUR TIME CAME TO AN END.
WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO FOUAD WHO HAD LOOKED AFTER US
AND MADE OUR TIME IN RIAD DOLLAR DES SABLES COMFORTABLE
AND VERY SPECIAL.

TODAY WE WERE HEADING OUT TO THE SAHARA DESERT FOR AN
ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME!

THE TRIP ENTAILED VISITING AMAZIING KASBAHS, VAST CHANGING
SCENERY, SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS AND RIDING OUT OF THE
DESERT ON CAMELS!
NOT TO MENTION HAVING LUNCH WITH OUR GUIDE'S FAMILY IN
THIER HOME, OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING, SAND DUNE BASHING,
AND HAVING MINT TEA WITH GENUINE NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE WITH
YOU IN MY NEXT BLOG

MEET HABIB NAAMANI, OUR TOUR GUIDE AND OWNER OF SAHARA DREAMS MAROC.

Collage of Habib

HABIB IS A BORN AND BRED BERBER NOMAD WHO GREW UP IN M'HAMID
ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA DESERT.

HE MAKES HIS LIVING BY DRIVING TOURISTS LIKE US THROUGH HIS COUNTRY.
HABIB ALSO EMPLOYS OTHER DRIVERS. WE MET ONE AT THE DESERT CAMP THAT
WAS DRIVING SOME PEOPLE FROM FRANCE.

IT WAS AN HONOUR AND PRIVILEDGE TO HAVE HABIB SHOW US AROUND.

THIS TRIP WAS AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME. WE ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT
WE WOULD LOVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN.

BELOW IS THE START OF OUR AMAZING ADVENTURE THAT WOULD TAKE US
FROM MARRAKECH, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, INTO LUSH VALLEYS,
TRAVERSING TIGHT WINDY ROADS THROUGH GORGES, CROSS COUNTRY
IN THE 4X4, MEETING BERBER NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE, SLEEPING OUT
UNDER THE STARS IN THE DESERT, RIDING CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT,
HAVING LUNCH WITH HABIB'S RELATIVES IN THEIR HOME,
GUNNING THE 4X4 THROUGH DESERT SAND TO THE CAMP SITE AND
MUCH, MUCH MORE!

SO GRAB SOME SNACKS, A DRINK OR 3 AND FOLLOW ALONG WHILST I
RELIVE OUR ADVENTURES HERE ON MY NEW HOME TRAVELLERSPOINT

~~~oOo~~~

DAY 1 - ATLAS MOUNTAINS, TELOUET, AIT BEN HADDOU, OUARZAZATE.

FAVOURITE PICTURE.
TAKEN BY HABIB IN FRONT OF THE FAMOUS AIT BEN HADDOU-
MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.

ATLAS MOUNTAINS

ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE PARTS OF THIS TRIP WAS THE CHANGING
SCENERY. HEADING OUT OF TOWN AND TOWARDS THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
IT WAS FLAT AND SPARCE.

ONCE WE ARRIVED AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAINS THE ROAD
NARROWED AND WAS VERY WINDY AS WE DROVE UP AND AROUND
TO THIS FANTASTIC LOOKOUT.

HERE WE ENCOUNTERED HAWKERS SELLING AN ARRAY OF TOURIST
GIFTS. I BOUGHT A ROCK THAT OPENS UP TO REVEAL THE MOST
GORGEOUS ROSE CRYSTAL

THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS SEEM TO GO ON FOREVER......
NO WONDER! THEY ARE OVER 2,500KM AND SPAN 3 COUNTRIES -
MOROCCO, ALGRIA AND TUNISIA!

FIRST NOMAD SIGHTING

THIS WAS OUR FIRST NOMAD SIGHTING. THEY WERE HEARDING THEIR
SHEEP AND GOATS ACROSS THE ROAD AND UP THE STEEP HILLSIDE.

WE STOPPED TO LET THEM BY AND OPENED THE WINDOWS TO TAKE
SOME PICTURES.

HABIB EXPLAINED THAT SOMETIMES THE NOMADS
DO NOT LIKE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOURISTS....
AND SURE ENOUGH..... THERE WERE A FEW HEATED WORDS SPOKEN.
OOOPS...

SO WE QUICKLY WOUND THE WINDOWS UP AND CONTINUED ON.

KASBAH DE TELOUET

OUR FIRST KASBAH. A KASBAH IS A TYPE OF FORTRESS WHERE
THE LEADER LIVED. IT WAS A DEFENCE SAFE PLACE FOR WHEN A
CITY WAS UNDER ATTACK.

WE ENTERED A LONG COOL HALLWAY WHICH LED INTO THIS ROOM
OF EXTRAVENCE. HERE WE WERE TAKEN BACK THROUGH TIME.
THE WHOLE ROOM WAS SURROUNDED BY INTRICATE CERAMIC TILES
TO WHICH THE MOROCCANS ARE SO GOOD AT.

ONE COULD IMAGINE BEING WINED AND TINED HERE.

AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS DID TO THIER
ADVANTAGE.

THE STORY OF THIS KASBAH GOES LIKE THIS -
THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS AMAZING FORTRESS WERE
CUNNING AND CLEAVER. THEY DUPED EVERYONE THAT CHALLENGED
THEM WITH THEIR AMAZING HOSPITALITY.
SO MUCH SO THAT THEY WERE BYPASSED WHEN A POTENTIAL
CONFLICT AROSE AND KASBAH DE TELOUET SURVIVED WHEREAS
OTHER KASBAH'S FELL TO THE ENEMY.

TIME FOR A PIT STOP, REFRESHMENTS AND A NICE VIEW OVER THE
VALLEY.

DIVERSE LIVING SCENERY

WHEREVER I TRAVEL, NOT ONLY AM I INTERESTED IN THE LANDSCAPE
SCENERY, BUT I ALSO ENJOY VIEWING THE VARIOUS LIVING CONDITIONS
OF THE LOCALS.

THIS PART OF MOROCCO WAS AS EQUALLY INTERESTING IF NOT BETTER
THAN I HAVE COME ACROSS BEFORE IN OUR TRAVELS.

SO BELOW ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF LOCAL LIVING SCENES IN
OUTBACK MOROCCO. NO PARTICULAR ORDER.
LIKE MOST PLACES IN THE WORLD, THEY HAVE THEIR RICH, MIDDLE-CLASS
AND POOR.
HOWEVER, IT WAS NO SURPRISE TO ME TO SEE THAT NO MATTER HOW
RICH OR POOR ..... EVERY HOUSE THAT WE SAW HAD A SATELITE DISH!....

AIT BEN HADDOU

WE WERE NEARING THE END OF OUR FIRST DAY. HEADING TOWARDS
OUR DESTINATION FOR THE NIGHT OUARZAZATE, WE HAD ONE LAST
AMAZING THING TO SEE - AIT BEN HADDOU.

AIT BEN HADDOU IS A HUGE FORTIFIED CITY OR KSAR. IT IS A WORLD
HERITAGE SITE THAT IS WELL KNOWN FOR HOSTING A NUMBER OF GREAT
MOVIES LIKE STAR WARS, JESUS OF NAZARETH, GLADIATER AND
THE JEWEL OF THE NILE.

THIS WAS AN AMAZING PLACE!! WE WALKED RIGHT UP TO THE TOP FOR A
VIEW OVER THE VALLEY. APARENTLY THERE ARE STILL 10 FAMILIES THAT
RESIDE HERE.

HUBBY BOUGHT A COUPLE OF PAINTINGS FROM THIS GUY. WELL NOT
REALLY PAINTINGS AS SUCH. HE WAS USING CLAY AND COLOURED
STONES AND THEN FIRING THEM ONTO THE PAPER WITH A BLOW TORCH.
IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING TO SEE.

OUARZAZATE - SAHARA DREAMS MAROC

WE STOPPED BRIEFLY AT HABIB'S HOME BASE WHERE WE MET HAIAT,
ADMINISTRATOR AND TOUR PLANNER. WHEN I ARRANGED AND BOOKED
OUR TOUR, HAIAT WAS OUR POINT OF CONTACT.
IT WAS A PLEASURE TO DEAL WITH HAIAIT. SHE ANSWERED OUR QUERIES
PROMPTLY AND DEALT WITH EVERYTHING EFFICIENTLY AND SMOOTHLY.
WE FELT PRIVILEGED TO MEET HER.

RIAD DAR CHAMAA

RIAD DAR CHAMAA - A COOL OASIS IN THE DESERT.

WE ENJOYED A SWIM IN THE POOL AND DINNER ON THE
VERANDAH OUSIDE OVERLOOKING THE POOL. IT WAS A
PLEASANT PLACE TO STAY FOR OUR FIRST NIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE ENJOYED FOLLOWING ALONG AS I RELIVE OUR
MOROCCAN ADVENTURE.... PLEASE CLICK THE NEXT BUTTON BELOW
FOR DAY 2 - INCLUDING SOME OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING,
SHARING MINT TEA WITH BERBER NOMADS IN THEIR CAVE
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, ZIG ZAGGING DOWN STEEP WINDY ROADS,
AND AN INTERESTING CARPET STORY.....

FAVOURITE PHOTO

DAY 2 - OUARZAZATE TO TINGHIR INCLUDING OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING.

YESTERDAY WE LEFT MARRAKECH AND HEADED OVER THE HIGH ATLAS
MOUNTAINS, DISCOVERED AN AMAZING HISTORICAL KASBAH AND A
WELL KNOWN HERITAGE SITE THAT HAS HOUSED A NUMBER OF
FAMOUS MOVIES INCLUDING STAR WARS.

TODAY WE WERE GOING TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING EQUALLY
AMAZING AND DIVERSE.....

JUST OUT OF OUARZAZATE WAS THIS HUGE LAKE.

WE FELT THAT THIS COULD BE OUR LAST SIGHTING FOR A WHILE
OF LUSH TROPICAL SCENERY....

WHEREAS JUST UP THE ROAD WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO VIEW VAST
UNTOUCHED COUNTRYSIDE.

WE TURNED OFF TOWARDS SKOURA AND HABIB STOPPED TO
SHOW US THIS GRAND KASBAH THAT HOSTED THE MOVIE
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

KASBAH AMRIDIL

THIS KASBAH WAS BUILT IN THE 17TH CENTURY BY THE NASSIRI.
IT IS INTERESTING TO LEARN THAT THE NASSIRI FAMILY STILL LIVES
HERE. THEY HAVE CREATED A MUSEUM WITH TOOLS THAT WERE
USED CENTURIES AGO.

THEY STILL CARRY OUT DAILY LIFE HERE WITH THE OLD OLIVE OIL
PRESS, BREAD OVENS AND HAPPY GOATS MEANDERING AROUND
IN THE COURTYARD.

OFF ROAD 4X4 DRIVING

IT WAS NOT LONG AFTER THIS THAT WE VENTURED OFF ROAD.
HABIB TURNED UP THE AIR-CON, PUT SOME LOCAL MUSIC ON....
AND WE HIT THE ROCKY DIRT TRACK TOWARDS BOUTAGHRAR.

MEETING BERBER NOMADS

THIS WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR DESERT TRIP.
MEETING REAL BERBER NOMADS.

IT WAS A REAL HUMBLING EXPERIENCE AND A PRIGILEGE.
THIS IS HOW THEY LIVE, IN HOLLOWED OUT CAVES AS WELL AS
THE TENT ABOVE.

THIS WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE. HABIB PULLED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF
NOWHERE AND ASKED US IF WE WANTED TO MEET SOME NOMADS.

WHAT?..... MEET REAL NOMADS? WOW!!
WELL YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO ASK ME TWICE!!

AFTER SOME PLEASANTRIES, HABIB OBVIOUSLY KNEW THE FAMILY...
WE WERE ASKED TO JOIN THEM FOR SOME TEA.
IT WAS A TRULY AWESOME EXPERIENCE!

THE FAMILY WERE GRANDPA, MUM, 2 BOYS, 1 GIRL AND A BABY.
DAD WAS OUT HERDING THE ANIMALS.

WE SAT DOWN ON RUGS INSIDE THE CAVE AND SHARED MINT TEA,
SMILES AND GOOS AND GAAS OVER THE BABY
I TELL YOU.... THIS WAS A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE!!!

I GAVE TWO OF THE BEAD BRACELETS THAT GILLIAN FROM
VIRTUALTOURIST GAVE ME IN PARIS TO THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS
REALLY EXCITED AND HAPPY WITH HER NEW PRESENT.

WE REALLY WISHED THAT WE HAD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT
HAVING SOME COLOURING PENCILS AND COLOURING BOOKS WITH US.
SO THAT IS A TIP FOR YOU IF YOU PLAN TO DO THE SAME TRIP.

VALLEY OF THE ROSES

COMING INTO BOUTAGHRAR (Valley of the Roses) WAS A
PLEASANT SURPRISE. IT WAS LIKE AN OASES COMPARED TO WHERE
WE HAD JUST BEEN

WE STOPPED AT SOME SMALL GIFT SHOPS WHERE THEY WERE
SELLING MOROCCAN ROSE OIL.

HUBBY AND I WERE MORE INTERESTED IN TAKING SOME PHOTOS
ACROSS THE ROAD OF THE LOCALS ENJOYING THE RIVER AND
GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY ACIVITIES.

BOUMALNE DADES

LUNCH AT HOTEL LA KASBAH DE DADES EX CHEMS WAS NICE
AND RELAXED. THE VERANDAH OVERLOOKED THE VALLEY
BELOW. HABIB, EVER THE ATTENTATIVE HOST LEFT US TO ENJOY
OUR SURROUNDINGS.

ACROSS THE ROAD WAS A BIG NOTICE BOARD WITH AN
AWESOME PAINTING. FROM THE VERANDAH, WE COULD LOOK
OUT AT THE VALLEY BELOW SURROUNDED WITH MAGNIFICANT
MOUNTAINS.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO ADMIRE THE
SCENERY. SOME LOCAL CHILDREN CAME UP THE HILL FROM
NOWHERE AND PRESENTED US WITH THEIR HOME MADE GIFT
OF A CAMEL MADE OUT OF STRAW. OF COURSE WE PAID THEM
HANSOMELY FOR OUR NEW PRESENT

ON THE WAY TO THE STUNNING DADES GORGES, WE STOPPED
BRIEFLY TO ADMIRE THE MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE.
HABIB EXPLAINED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WHERE WE SAW WRITING
MEANT GOD, KING, NATION.

DADES GORGES

WHAT A VIEW!!

HABIB KNEW JUST THE PLACE TO STOP BEFORE WE TRAVERSED
THE STEEP WINDY ROAD DOWN TOWARDS TINGHIR, OUR REST
STOP FOR THE NIGHT.

WE STOPPED AT CAFE TIMZZILLITE FOR A COOL DRINK AND A
VIEW TO DIE FOR!

TINGHIR

HABIB COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PLACE FOR US TO
STAY THAN RIAD DAR AYOUR IN TINGHIR.

BUT.... FIRST OF ALL..... HERE IS A CARPET STORY

AFTER WE HAD SETTLED IN, WE HAD A BIT OF TIME TO KILL BEFORE
DINNER.

HABIB INTRODUCED US TO A LOCAL WHO OFFERED TO TAKE US FOR
A WALK AROUND. SURE.... WHY NOT.

IT WAS NICE WALKING ALONG THE RIVER BANK AND THEN UP THE
HILL FOR A LOVELY VIEW OVER TOWN.
THERE WAS A WEDDING HAPPENING AND THE MUSIC WAS LOUD.
A LONE DONKEY WAS HAVING HIS LATE AFTERNOON SNACK

RAZOUK TOOK US THROUGH THE SMALL ALLEYWAYS OF TINGHIR
AND TO HIS HUMBLE HOME.

WE FELT REALLY PRIVILEGED TO SIT WITH RAZOUK AND HIS SISTER
AND ENJOY SOME MINT TEA. BUT THERE WAS A CATCH.....

IT WAS NOT UNTIL RAZOUK BOUGHT OUT SOME CARPETS THAT WE
REALISED WHAT WAS GOING ON. HIS SISTER SHOWED US HOW SHE
MAKES THE CARPETS.... SPINNING THE WOOL AND CAMEL HAIR ETC.

I HAD AVOIDED BUYING A CARPET BEFORE NOW.....
AFTER ALL... HOW WAS I GOING TO SHIP A CARPET FROM MOROCCO
ALL THE WAY TO AUSTRALIA?

BUT, WE COULD NOT REFUSE. HOW COULD ONE REFUSE SUCH
AMAZING HOSPITALITY?...

SO WE BOUGHT THIS LITTLE CARPET WHICH HOLDS PRIME PLACE ON
OUR LOUNGE WALL WE HAD IT SHIPPED FROM MARAKECH HOME
AND THE SHIPPING PRICE ALONE COST MORE THAN THE CARPET!!

SO TIP..... YES, IT IS WELL WORTH IT TO BUY AN AUTHENTIC CARPET
FROM A SMALL VILLAGE IN MOROCCO.... BUT EXPECT TO PAY A
SMALL FORTUNE FOR IT

RIAD DAR AYOUR - TINGHIR

I LOVED IT HERE! THE STAFF WERE SO NICE. THEY MADE US FEEL
EXTREMELY WELCOME.

WE HAD A MAGNIFICANT VIEW FROM THE LITTLE VERANDAH OFF
OUR ROOM. DINNER WAS FUN I EVEN HAD A DANCE WITH THE
STAFF. WE BOTH ENJOYED IT

I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TOTALLY IF YOU PLAN TO STAY
IN TINGHIR.

~~~oOo~~~

NEXT UP -

SLEEPING OUT UNDER THE STARS IN THE SAHARA DESERT!

THIS, PLUS MUCH MORE!.............. TO BE CONTINUED ON DAY 3...

FAVOURITE PHOTO

WE FINISHED YESTERDAY WITH A FUN NIGHT IN OUR RIAD IN TINGHIR.
IT WAS SAD TO LEAVE THIS LITTLE PLACE SURROUNDED BY THE GREAT
DADES MOUNTAINS AND TODRA GORGES. I COULD EASILY HAVE
ENJOYED ANOTHER DAY HERE.

IT'S FUNNY.... THAT EVEN THOUGH I FELT AT THE TIME THAT WE GOT
RIPPED OFF BY A LOCAL CARPET SELLER.... NOW I FEEL LIKE IT WOULD
HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THIS LOCAL SHOW US AROUND A BIT MORE.
RAZOUK.... YOU REALLY WERE A COOL GUY

TODAY, WE WERE ABOUT TO VENTURE INTO SOME ROUGH TERRITORY,
TAKING US THROUGH CHANGING COUNTRYSIDE AND TO THIS SMALL
VILLAGE RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA WHERE HABIB OUR GUIDE
GREW UP.

TODRA GORGES

WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF MILEAGE TO COVER TODAY SO WE STARTED
OUT EARLY. QUICK PIT STOP AT THE HUGE TODRA GORGES. I MEAN
HUGE!! I IMAGINE THE HOTEL HERE WOULD COST A FORTUNE

OFF ROAD 4X4 TO JEBEL SAGHRO MOUNTAINS

TIME TO TAKE A SHORT CUT AND HIT THE DUSTY TRACK TOWARDS
TAZZARINE AND ON TO THE SAHARA DESERT.

THIS PART OF THE JOURNEY MAY BE BORING FOR SOME. I FOUND IT
INTERESTING. I COULD CERTAINLY SEE THAT WE WERE ON THE WAY
TO THE DESERT. LONG FLAT ROADS TO NOWHERE, FOLLOWED BY
TRAVERSING AROUND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAINE DEVOID OF THE
USUAL GREENERY THAT MOUNTAINS USUALLY ATTRACT.......

ALL THIS KEPT ME INTERESTED... ALONG WITH THE GREAT LOCAL MUSIC THAT
HABIB WAS PLAYING WHILST WE SAT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMFORT
WITH THE AIR-CON ON FULL BALL

QUICK STOP TO STRETCH OUR LEGS.
HOWIE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FOUND A WEE TREE

N'KOB

THE SHORT CUT DIRT TRACK ENDED AT N'KOB AND BACK ONTO
THE BITUMEN LEADING THROUGH TAZZARINE, TAMEGROUTE
AND TO M'HAMID ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA.

I SAW THIS HOUSE HEADING INTO N'KOB THAT LOOKED LIKE
IT WAS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

I WAS LEFT SCRATCHING MY HEAD A BIT?....
WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN BETTER TO WORK ON THE ACCESS
FIRST?.... SEEMS LIKE A BIT OF A ROUGH DRIVEWAY TO ME?...

AFTER DRIVING UP AND THROUGH THE VILLAGE, WE STOPPED
BRIEFLY FOR A VIEW OVER THE VALLEY.

SOME CHILDREN CAME DOWN TO SAY HI AND HABIB GAVE
THEM A BIT OF CHANGE.

NOT TOO FAR NOW...

WE DROVE THROUGH TAZZARINE WITHOUT STOPPING. NOT
TOO MUCH TO SEE HERE.

TAMEGROUTE

THERE WERE HOWEVER A COUPLE OF THINGS OF INTEREST IN
TAMEGROUTE.

TAMEGROUTE IS THE HOME OF LOVELY POTTERY. WE STOPPED
AT A LITTLE SHOP AND HABIB TOOK US AROUND THE BACK AND
SHOWED US HOW THEY MAKE IT SITTING IN DUG OUT HOLES
TO KEEP COOL AND ENSURE THEY DON'T BEND TOO MUCH.
AND WITH KILN HOLES OUT BACK TO FIRE THE POTTERY.

TAMEGROUTE ALSO HAS SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS SPECIAL.
HABIB TOOK US THROUGH A LABYRINTH OF SMALL STREETS
TO AN AMAZING KORANIC LIBRARY WHERE THOUSANDS OF
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS ARE KEPT.

NOW THAT IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY IN
YOUR TRAVELS. VERY INTERESTING AND INTREGUING.

HABIB EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE NOW IN THE DRAA VALLEY
WHERE THE PALMS MEET THE DESERT AND TRUE ENOUGH
WE WATCHED AS THE PALMS GOT LESS AND LESS AND THE
DESERT LOOMED AHEAD.

WE SAW OUR FIRST DESERT CAMEL

AND A DUST STORM THAT WE HAD TO STRATEGICALLY AVOID.

M'HAMID

MAIN STREET OF M'HAMID. HABIB IS A BERBER NOMAD BORN
AND BRED IN THIS LITTLE TOWN. AS WE DROVE DOWN THE
MAIN AND ONLY STREET, IT WAS TOUCHING TO SEE HOW MANY
LOCALS RACED OVER TO SAY HELLO AND DO THE MOROCCAN
MALE GREETING

WE FELT PRIVILEGED TO BE WITH SUCH A CELEB

BUT THINGS WERE ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT BETTER!

NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SMILING AT THE
LOCALS THAT GREETED OUR GUIDE, BUT HABIB DROVE AROUND
A BACK STREET AND INVITED US TO COME IN AND HAVE A FEED
WITH HIS FAMILY! WOW! WHAT A GRAND PRIVILEGE!!!

A HUGE TAGINE FEAST WAS PRESENTED IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE FAMILY ROOM AND WE SAT DOWN ON NICE PILLOWS ON
THE FLOOR AND ALL TUCKED IN EATING WITH OUR HANDS
AND DIPPING THE HOME MADE BREAD INTO THE JUICES.
I TELL YOU.... IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!

HUBBY AND I FELT HUMBLED AND PRIVILEGED, AND THE FAMILY
WARMTH WAS SO EVIDENT
SORRY.... NO PICTURES. WE DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD BE
APPROPRIATE.

SAHARA DESERT

OUR FIRST NIGHT SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN THE SAHARA

THIS CAMP SITE WASN'T FAR FROM M'HAMID.
A MISTY SUNSET GREETED US.

WE WERE ASKED IF WE WANTED TO SLEEP IN A LITTLE HUT OR
IF WE WANTED OUR BED OUTSIDE. THAT'S A NO BRAINER

EVEN AFTER A BIG DAY, I MANAGED TO WAKE A FEW TIMES AND
JUST LOOK UP AT THE STARS AND LISTEN TO THE VARIOUS
DESERT SOUNDS OF INSECTS AND DISTANT CAMELS.
AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET

NEXT MORNING OUR CAMELS ARRIVED.
YES, WE WERE ABOUT TO RIDE THE CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT.
THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS FOR US TO RIDE INTO THE DESERT...
BUT THE SANDSTORM THE PREVIOUS DAY MEANT THAT PLAN B
WAS IN PLACE.

PLAN B WAS GOOD

MY CAMEL - ISN'T SHE CUTE

HUBBY'S CAMEL - EQUALLY CUTE

WE SAW A NOMAD CAMP WITH TWO YOUNG ONES

AND WHEN WE ARRIVED AT M'HAMID .... OUR BUTTS WERE A BIT
SORE.... BUT THE CAMEL RIDE OUT OF THE SAHARA DESERT WAS
A MEMORY THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

NEXT UP - ANOTHER NIGHT SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN A
BIGGER DESERT CAMP WITH BIGGER DUNES!!
AND BETTER PHOTOS!!!!

FAVOURITE PHOTO

THE PREVIOUS DAY SAW US SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS IN THE
SAHARA DESERT NOT FAR OUT FROM M'HAMID, A SMALL TOWN
ON THE EDGE OF THE DESERT AND WHERE OUR GUIDE HABIB
WAS BROUGHT UP.

THIS MORNING, WE RODE OUT OF THE DESERT ON CAMELS.
A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!

DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER.

~~~oOo~~~

ACTUALLY IT DOES!! MORE ABOUT THAT LATER....

HABIB GREETED US BACK IN M'HAMID AND GAVE US A COUPLE OF
SMALL GIFTS INCLUDING A BERBER SCARF EACH. HE ALSO GAVE
ME A LOVELY LITTLE SILVER NECKLASS OF A HAND WITH A BLUE
EYE IN THE MIDDLE.

HABIB SHOWED HUBBY HOW TO PUT ON HIS SCARF. I'LL UPLOAD
THE VIDEO WHEN I WORK OUT HOW.

BLUE IS THE COLOUR OF BERBER NOMADS. OTHER NOMADS HAVE
DIFFERENT COLOURS THAT SIGNIFY THEIR TRIBE.

HABIB HAD A BIT OF BUSINESS TO DO IN TOWN SO WE HAD A
WANDER AROUND AND FOUND A NICE LITTLE CAFE FOR A SNACK
AND COFFEE AND A BIT OF PEOPLE AND DONKEY WATCHING.

NOW FOR THE BEST BIT

WE WERE HEADED ACROSS MILES OF DESERT SAND AS FAR AS
YOU COULD SEE TOWARDS THE HUGE DUNES OF CHEGAGA AND
OUR DESERT CAMP FOR TONIGHT.

YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT YOU COULD SEE ANOTHER VEHICLE
OUT HERE IN THIS REMOTE DESTINATION. BUT WE DID.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE SAW A FEW OTHER 4X4s HEADED IN
THE SAME DIRECT. NO ROADS OUT HERE THOUGH... SO HABIB
PUT PEDDLE TO METAL AND OVERTOOK THE LOT HAHA....
SAHARA DESERT PEAK TRAFFIC HOUR

CHEGAGA BIVOUCA CAMP

ARRIVING AT HABIB'S CAMP SITE AT CHEGAGA DUNES WAS AMAZING!
WE WALKED UP THE HUGE DUNES. HOWARD MADE IT TO THE TOP...
I JUST SAT AND ENJOYED WATCHING THE SUN SET OVER THE SAHARA.

BY THIS TIME ONE OF HABIB'S STAFF HAD ARRIVED WITH SOME FRENCH
TOURISTS. WE HAD DINNER BY GAS LANTERN AND THEN THEY BROUGHT
OUT THE DRUMS AND WE HAD A PARTY IN THE SAHARA

AND ANOTHER NIGHT JUST US SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS. THE OTHERS
OPTED TO STAY IN THE CABINS. SILLY THEM
HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

NEXT MORNING WE HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE DESERT AND HEAD
BACK THE QUICK NO ROAD WAY TO MARRAKECH.

BERBER CAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

WE STOPPED QUICKLY AND HABIB HAD A CHAT. MINUTES LATER
HE BOUGHT A ROCK... (METEORITE). BACK IN THE CAR HABIB
EXPLAINED THAT METEORITE CAN FETCH VERY GOOD MONEY.

ANOTHER INTERESTING SIGHT. AN EMPTY PETROL STATION IN
THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

THERE WERE A COUPLE OF LOCALS SITTING UNDER THE TREE
WHO WANTED MONEY TO SHOW YOU AROUND. WE JUST
STOPPED, WOUND DOWN THE WINDOWS, TOOK A FEW QUICK
PHOTOS AND MOVED ON.... BEFORE THE LOCALS REALISED IT.
HABIB KNEW ALL THE TRICKS

BACK TO THE TIZI N'TICHKA PASS OVER THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS.

OUR HOLIDAY IN MOROCCO WAS COMING TO AN END....

BUT NOT BEFORE WE SAW THE GREAT NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN...

STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

OUR TRIP TO THE SAHARA DESERT WITH HABIB, BORN AND BRED
BERBER NOMAD WAS PHONOMINAL! I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE
TO SHARE MY APPRECIATION FOR ALL THAT HE DID FOR US

HABIB IS A BERBER NOMAD WHO GREW UP IN M'HAMID ON THE
EDGE OF THE SAHARA DESERT. HE USES HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS
PART OF MOROCCO TO SHARE WITH TOURISTS LIKE US.

OUR TRIP WAS LIKE A GIFT FROM A LOCAL AND NOT JUST PAYING
TO BE SHOWN AROUND. IT WAS SPECIAL.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING MY STORY YOU WILL ALREADY
KNOW THAT HABIB WAS THE MOST AMAZING HOST.
NOT ONLY DID HE KNOW ALL THE SHORT ROUTES, BUT HE ALSO
MADE OUR TRIP EXTRA SPECIAL - LIKE MEETING A BERBER NOMAD FAMILY
AND SHARING MINT TEA IN THEIR CAVE.
LIKE SHARING A MOROCCAN FEAST ON THE FLOOR OF HIS
FAMILY'S LIVING ROOM IN M'HAMID ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA.
LIKE TAKING US TO HIS CAMPS IN THE SAHARA AND MAKING A BED
SO THAT WE COULD SLEEP UNDER THE STARS.
AND MUCH MORE......

IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT MY SAHARA DESERT
TRIP PAGES.... AND YOU ARE THINKING OF DOING SOMETHING
SIMILAR.... THEN PLEASE DO HAVE A LOOK.

SO HABIB.... IF YOU READ THIS.... I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG
THANK YOU TO YOU, HAITE YOUR ADMINISTRATOR, YOUR
EXTENDED FAMILY AND YOUR DEAR WIFE WHO WAS A
PLEASURE TO MEET xx

~~oOo~~

TODAY..... WE WERE HEADED OUT TO OUR FIRST VIEW OF THE
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN.

OUR DESTINATION ESSAOUIRA IS A CHARMING FISHING VILLAGE
RIGHT ON THE COAST.

HABIB, EVER SURPRISING WAS DRESSED TODAY IN WESTERN
JEANS AND TOP. I SUPPOSE THAT HERE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO
ADVERTISE THAT HE IS A BERBER NOMAD.

WE HEADED OUT OF MARRAKECH THROUGH BUSY SUBURBS,
AND NEW SUBURBS.

ON THE WAY WE STOPPED MOMENTARILY TO TAKE A FEW
PHOTOS OF GOATS IN TREES.

YES THE LOCALS HAVE MANY INGENIOUS IDEAS ON HOW TO
SCROUNGE OUR TOURIST DOLLARS.

I HAD ACTUALLY SEEN THIS BEFORE IN MY RESEARCH SO I
KNEW IT WAS A TOUIST SCAM. THE LOCALS PLACE THEIR
GOATS STRATEGICALLY IN TREES AND THEN CHARGE TOURISTS
LIKE US THAT STOP FOR A UNIQUE PICTURE.

HABIB.... EVER THE SMART.... 'I'M ON TO YOU ..... SCAMMER.'
PULLED UP...... WOUND DOWN THE WINDOWS.....
WE SHOT OFF A FEW QUICK PHOTOS.... AND WE WERE ON OUR
WAY )

I GUESS YOU HAVE TO BE SELECTIVE IN TO WHOM YOU GIVE
YOUR TOURIST DOLLARS TO.
HERE.... OVERLOOKING ESSAOUIRA... WE STOPPED BRIEFLY
TO HAVE OUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH A CAMEL. NOT THAT WE
HADN'T BEFORE.... BUT THIS LOOKED LIKE A GOOD CHANCE
TO HAVE A GOOD PHOTO.

AND SURE ENOUGH.... WE MANAGED TO HAVE THIS NICE GUY
TAKE OUR PHOTOS THAT LOOK PRETTY GOOD

AND CHEERS TO YOU TOO MATE.... SORRY, DIDN'T GRAB YOUR
NAME.

ESSAOUIRA

THANKS TO ANGELA (angiebabe on virtualtourist) FOR THE TIP
WE REALLY ENJOYED OUR DAY OUT TO ESSAOUIRA... ARRANGED
AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THIS QUAINT LITTLE FISHING VILLAGE IS WELL KNOWN FOR THE
FISH MARKETS IN THE HARBOUR, A WELL PRESERVED FORTRESS
ON THE ROCKS, NICE VILLAGE MARKETS AND PLENTY OF CAFES
AND RESTAURANTS TO ENJOY A LONG ALL AFTERNOON LUNCH.

FISH MARKETS

SELF EXPLANATORY. WE ENJOYED A SLOW STROLL AROUND THE
BUZZ OF ACTIVITY HERE. BIG TRAWLERS WERE COMING AND
GOING LIKE US AUSSIES CALL PITT STREET SYDNEY

FRESH FISH BEING PREPARED FOR SALE AND PLENTY OF
BATERING HAPPENING. PLUS SOUNDS WHICH REMINDED ME OF
A HOUSE AUCTION. ALL HAPPENING AT THE HARBOUR
FISH MARKETS IN ESSAOUIRA

MORE MARKETS

I ENJOYED A WANDER THROUGH THE MARKETS HERE. THERE
WERE NO HARASSING HAGGLERS LIKE IN MARRAKECH. WE WERE
ABLE TO BROUSE WITHOUT ANYONE HASTLING US.

I BOUGHT QUITE A FEW GARMENTS. A COUPLE OF BATIK ALL IN
ONE JUMP SUITS WHICH I STILL WEAR WHEN I WANT TO BE
COMFORTABLE ALSO A COUPLE OF WHAT WE CALL 'POO CATCHER
PANTS' LOL. YOU KNOW.... THE ONES WHERE THE CRUTCH IS WAY
DOWN LOW. HEY.... STOP LAUGHING. I LOVE THEM

OH AND I SAW A COUPLE OF CD'S THAT I RECOGNISED....

TINARIWEN

I BOUGHT A COUPLE OF CD'S AND HUBBY AND I ENJOY LISTENING
TO THEM ON OUR ROAD TRIPS BECAUSE THEY HOLD SPECIAL
MEMORIES OF SPEEDING THROUGH THE SAHARA DESERT TO
AMAZING LOCAL MUSIC

IMAGINE....... FANGING THROUGH THE DESERT.... HABIB HAD THE
MUSIC TURNED UP .... AND WAS PLAYING THE TUNE ON HIS STEERING WHEEL...

I WAS IN THE BACK SEAT.... PLAYING THE MUSIC ON MY KNEE LOL

ALL WHILST SPEEDING TOWARDS THE GREAT DUNES OF CHEGAGA!
THIS MUSIC ADDS TO THE VIVID MEMORIES OF OUR WONDERFUL TRIP
TO THE SAHARA

CLER ACHEL

MATADJEM YINMIXAN

TIME FOR LUNCH.

RESTAURANT RAMSESS

BEING IN A FISHING VILLAGE, WE WERE ITCHING FOR SOME FRESH
SEAFOOD. AHHHH..... RESTAURANT RAMSESS.

FOOD WAS GOOD AND TASTY..... HOWEVER I AM AFRAID THAT FRESH
PRAWNS ARE FAR BETTER.

WE REALLY ARE SPOILT IN AUSTRALIA FOR OUR FRESH SEAFOOD.

THE SCALA KASBAH

BUILT IN 1765 BY A FRENCH ARCHITECT AS PROTECTION FROM THE SEA.
THE FORTRESS WALLS HAVE CANONS WHICH ARE A MIXTURE OF
PORTUGESE, SPANISH AND DUTCH.

I THOUGHT THAT THIS KASBAH WAS VERY WELL PRESERVED.
I PARTICULARLY LIKED THE STONE WORK. IT MADE FOR SOME NICE PHOTOS.

WE WATCHED SOME TEENAGE BOYS FISHING OFF THE ROCKS FOR A WHILE.
I THINK THE CONDITIONS WERE A BIT TOO WINDY TO CATCH ANYTHING.
EVEN THE SEAGULLS LOOKED A BIT PUT OUT BY ALL THAT WIND.

HUBBY SPENT A BIT OF TIME TRYING TO GET THAT GREAT OCEAN
WAVE ACTION

AND LOOKING BACK AND UP I SPOTTED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A
GREAT PLACE TO STAY. IMAGINE THE VIEW THEY WOULD HAVE!!!

WE HAD A BIT OF TIME BEFORE HABIB PICKED US UP.
WE VENTURED ACROSS THE ROAD TO A CAFE WITH BEACH
VIEWS AND HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS WHILST WATCHING THE
LOCALS PLAY FOOTY ON THE BEACH, AND SOME BOATING.

ON THE WAY BACK TO MARRAKECH WE STOPPED BRIEFLY TO
TAKE SOME PICTURES OF AN AMAZING SUNSET!!
BEFORE REACHING MARRAKECH AFTER DARK.

WE HAD BOOKED THE IBIS HOTEL WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR
TO THE TRAIN STATION AS WE WERE PLANNING TO HEAD BY TRAIN
TO OUR LAST DESTINATION IN MOROCCO.

HABIB OFFERED INSTEAD TO TAKE US. WOW! COOL!
EXCEPT ON THE WAY BACK A LAST MINUTE FAMILY SITUATION
CAME UP AND HABIB COULD NOT TAKE US.
SO HE ARRANGED TO HAND OVER TO ONE OF HIS STAFF TO
DRIVE US.

SO WE UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO SAY OUR GOODBYES
BUT I SAY IT IS NEVER GOODBYE. THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT TIME

THE IBIS WAS CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE.
IF YOU PLAN A TRAIN TRIP HERE AND WANT TO BE NEAR
THE TRAIN STATION, THEN I WOULD RECOMMEND THE IBIS.
IF YOU ARE A TRAIN BUFF.... THEN ALL THE BETTER

SPECIAL MEMORY...
COLLAGE OF HABIB.

NEXT STOP AND LAST IN MOROCCO - CASABLANCA.
JUST ONE DAY OF RELAXATION BEFORE FLYING TO SPAIN FOR
THE LAST 2 WEEKS OF OUR BIG 6 WEEK TRIP.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

LAST DAY IN MOROCCO

WE HAD ENJOYED THE EXOTIC SIGHTS, SMELLS, SOUNDS AND
TASTES OF MARRAKECH.

WE HAD A THOROUGHLY AMAZING ADVENTURE TO THE SAHARA
DESERT WHERE WE SLEPT OUT UNDER THE STARS AND RODE
CAMELS OUT OF THE DESERT.

WE HAD A FUN DAY TRIP TO A QUAINT FISHING VILLAGE ON THE
ATLANTIC COAST.

AND NOW TO CHILL FOR A DAY BEFORE TRAVELLING ON TO SPAIN.

NO SIGHT SEEING FOR US TODAY. WE WERE GOING TO ENJOY THE
LUXURY OF OUR HOTEL, DIP OUR TOES IN THE ATLANTIC AND GO
FOR A SHORT STROLL ALONG THE COASTAL PROMINADE AND FIND
A PLACE FOR A NICE LUNCH.

HOTEL CLUB VAL D'ANFA

I WOULND'T LOOK ANY FURTHER. HOTEL CLUB VAL D'ANFA HAD
EVERYTHING WE WERE LOOKING FOR... COMFORTABLE BED, GOOD
BREAKFAST, FRIENDLY STAFF, NICE POOL AND A VIEW OVER THE
OCEAN FROM OUR LITTLE ROOM VERANDAH.

PS..... THE BED WAS VERY COMFORTABLE!!

NO RUSHING TODAY. JUST A STROLL ALONG THE BEACHSIDE
PROMINADE AND ENJOYING A BIT OF PEOPLE WATCHING.

WE HAD A BIT OF A CHUCKLE AT THE LOCALS PARKING ABILITY...

FOOD AT A QUAINT SIDE STREET RESTAURANT WAS NICE

AND A DIP OF THE FEET IN THE OCEAN. WHICH WAS QUITE MUDDY HAHA.

VIEW LOOKING BACK TO OUR HOTEL FROM THE BEACH.
AND AN INTERESTING LOOKING LITTLE BEACH HUT OF SOME SORT.

LASTLY... A SHOT OF MY VT THONGS OVERLOOKING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

GOODBYE MOROCCO!

AND ON TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION IN SPAIN WHERE WE HAD
ANOTHER FIRST.....
THIS BIG TRIP WAS FULL OF FIRST EXPERIENCES FOR US.

STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER AUSSIROSE ADVENTURE IN SPAIN...
INCLUDING..... DRIVING THROUGH THE SPANISH HILLS IN A CONVERTIBLE !!!