This gallery contains 18 photos.
This morning we had an included city walking tour – the tour started at the port, from where we continued into the Medina passing by the main landmarks – and obviously the one or other shopping opportunity.
This gallery contains 12 photos.
We made to Essaouira in the late afternoon; our hotel was located in the medina – so straight where the action is. I had a quick look around the medina – before we met up for dinner … below some … Continue reading
We had another long driving day ahead of us to finally get to the coast.
After a 45 minute drive we already had our first stop in Taroudant. Here we had the opportunity to visit the tanneries and to get an introduction into the process from raw animal skins to intricate leather products (e.g. bags, purses, shoes, hats).
After an option for some extensive shopping, we made it back to the center of town for some more free time – spent around the main plaza and in the nearby souk.
From here we continued towards Agadir and the coast. On the way we spotted a number of goats in the argan trees. At one point we stopped to take some pictures. The fact that we had to tip the herdsman somehow gave it the feeling of a tourist trap (I wouldn’t even be surprised, if they had put the goats into the trees – though later on in the trip, we have seen more goats in trees … without there herders nearby – so it might have been the real thing).
We proceeded to Agadir, where we bought lunch (it was pizza time for me) and continued to a beach further North to actually eat – and take a foot bath in the Atlantic (at an estimated 12 degrees Celsius, there was no way for more than a barefoot stroll).
After lunch we had a further two hours to go – until we made it to this day’s destination – Essaouira.
The night anyhow turned out quiet cold; tea at breakfast was highly appreciated – before we made it back into the 4WD cars – for another three hours drive back into civilization.
This gallery contains 16 photos.
After the visit in Tamegroute we continued to M’Hamid. Here we had lunch, before getting ready for our overnight trip into the Sahara. After a one hour camel ride, we changed to 4WD for a further two hours until we … Continue reading
We left Zagora in the not too early morning (it was January 1st at last), heading for the Sahara. Our first stop on the way was in the small town of Tamegroute, where we tried to visit the mosque and library (the first off limit for non-Muslims, the second closed due to it being January 1st), followed by a walk through the underground kasbah and a visit of the local pottery collective.
We left Aït Benhaddou in the morning; during a short stop we had our last photo opportunity. From here we continued to Quarzazate, Morocco’s film capital with a number of studios.
After a quick glance at the kasbah and a visit to a community project, we continued the ride over the Anti Atlas into the lush Draa valley and towards Zagora.
On arrival we had the option for a walk around the palmeries nearby; during that walk our guide shared has wide knowledge on dates (or datteln, as he referred to them) with us – a true date-ing walk.
After the walk we got ready for the evening – New Years Eve. The hotel had a special that covered a welcome drink, loads of food (essentially all the Moroccan classics as multi-course meal), traditional music to start with and a DJ later on (which resulted in us having the main course over house music). The hotel also had an alcohol license with a pretty full bar – so all with in order for a good start of the new year … with loads music, plenty of dancing, too much food and – in some cases – drinks.
This gallery contains 10 photos.
We finally – after a long day of driving – made it to Aït Benhaddou, a fortified city that used to be an important stop for caravans passing through. Today it is famous for its kasbah, often dubbed as the … Continue reading
To reach this day’s destination, we had to cross the Atlas mountain range via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass – at 2260 meters Morocco’s highest pass.
We were now heading toward Aït Benhaddou – with a first stop to visit the weekly market in a small town on route.
The market was arranged in sections similar, from fruits and vegetables, household goods, clothing, bread to meat. The oddest bit was properly the meat section with animals slaughtered on-site, resulting in a bloody mess (literally) with blood everywhere on the floor.
