2geonomads

Saturday 25th May

Windy but hot day and we awake to see that the camp is gradually disappearing before our eyes and all that remains is our own tent, the breakfast tent, the one where we have enjoyed lounging about in the heat of the day and of course the kitchen tent so that we ocean be kept fed and watered right up to the last minute.

Take one final photo of the camp team and much to their amusement we have them lined up like a football team defending a penalty. The only one missing is the chef who is deaf and prefers to stay in the background. I could make the comment that all our complaints on the food seem to fall on d..f ears but that would be politically incorrect. Come what may he does a magnificent job serving up food of the highest order under what must be very often very trying circumstances.

Before leaving the camp for the trip north have time to think back on the memorable moments of our stay and can’t really go past our camel ride with Ali when he stopped to answer his mobile phone in the middle of the dunes. When I mentioned to him the irony of this he said ” phones everywhere but no water in sight”. Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Finally set off about 10.00 for drive north to Todra Gorge. First section through desert to M’hamid, Yahya’s home town. Not far north of M’hamid we arrive at the the Draa Valley. The Draa River,at 1200 kms,is the longest river in Moroccco and the valley is a really a very long oasis.
We continue north to the pottery town of Zagore, which seems to be expanding at a remarkable rate and has become an administrative centre for this region. We leave the Draa Valley and head north-west towards towards Tazzarine where two incidents remind us that Morocco is full of surprises. Firstly, in the centre of Tazzarine, we come across two Muslim ladies,who totally oblivious to any danger, stop in the middle of the busy main road, put down their suitcases, give each other a warm embrace and exchange kisses and stop for a chat!
Just outside of Tazzarine we were amazed to see a car in front of us, also traveling north suddenly veer over to the opposite side of the road and drive headlong towards a truck coming towards us, seemingly bent on suicide. Only at the last minute did he slow down and facing the truck the drivers had what was presumably a pre-arranged rendezvous! They certainly put the fear of God into the 3 people in our car for a while.
Finally turn due north at Alnif and on to the town of Tinerhir, gateway to the Todra Gorge.
Superb scenery on drive into the gorge and Hotel Darayour Hotel in a great position overlooking the river downstream from the gorge itself.
Take early evening stroll into gorge which is truly magnificent, especially in the late afternoon light.
Sadly, the tourists and locals alike seem to take no pride in this Moroccan gem and the level of garbage strewn everywhere is of mind-numbing proportions.
More than adequate dinner at hotel and relatively early night.

The Obese Ferret.