The Journey to the Sahara

 Marrakech was left behind for the scenic drive to Ait Benhaddou.  Usually my tours have travelled from lower to higher altitudes on this famous road but today was the opposite and what a different view it was!  The photo stop looked back on the windy road we had just drive. Excuse the wonderful hair in all photos - it WAS windy too!

Onwards to Ait Benhaddou, famous for movies like Gadiator 1 and 2 shot in the old kasbah.  We were unable to visit it the last time due to the earthquake but this time we battled the crowds and marched our way up many, many steps to the top for an incredible but windy view.  The kasbah is no longer lived in but has many shops and artists.

Another essential stop in Ait Benhaddou is the rug cooperative.  You know you have been there a few times when they recognize you.  My hallway runner now has a companion.

Once again we enjoyed a beautiful lunch at another Women’s cooperative.  We didn’t have to cook this time but enjoyed a delicious local dis with phyllo pastry, lentils, chicken and egg.  The association helps about 40 women make an income in 3 different venues.   We were lucky enough to share bags of goodies with the 6 women working.  And to top off the visit, we wished one of our group Happy Birthday with a delicious cake.  Fortunately the cake was much better than the singing.

A restful evening in a quaint but simple guesthouse and we were off for the next section of our journey.  First a drive through Ouarzazate, a city famous for movie studios and solar power.  Outside of the city is the world’s largest solar plant, producing power for the UK.

The route was entirely new for me and the scenery was so different.  As we passed through the fourth mountain chain in Morocco - the Anti Atlas, we saw very rugged areas, fantastic mountains, great views and finally the palm oasis of the Draa Valley. 

Movie Studio

The glow in the distance is from the solar plant

Driving up to our Kasbah in the middle of no where had us puzzled, there was definitely some hesitation - what was this going to be like.  The answer soon became clear - amazing, incredible, breathtaking,  the view of the palm oasis and the mountain was mesmerizing and spectacular!  The rooms, absolutely amazing and every room different. The food delicious.  The pool a bit warmer for some of us to even venture into. What a delightful treat!

The last leg of the journey to the desert was a big day beginning with a short walk in the palm oasis directly behind the hotel.

Next stop, a small village where we visited the oldest library.  Holding 4000 original books written in Arabic and Berber, it is definitely a national treasure.  The writing is absolutely amazing and some were so small print.  All is calligraphy and all were pieces of art including the 1000 year old Koran.  After a walk through some very dark and narrow parts of the kasbah, we emerged at the pottery location. The pottery place employs  over 10000 village people making a green pottery.  It is quite different than the pottery in Fes.

Finally we had arrived in M’Hamid, our Sahara starting point.  Before heading out we enjoyed another home cooked meal, Berber Pizza and some delicious salads. Of course it began with customary tea.

On then……Sahara bound!