OK, I caved. I bought a rug. We were in the south/desert and it benefits the Berber tribes. I’m hoping it’s true. It’s also supposed to be hand weaved by Berber women. I’m hoping this is all true because we are carrying this thing back home. I must say it’s nice but Justyne cried because we are thinking about replacing our current rug.
So, the desert was amazing. I posted some desert pictures but here are some more. It was magical. We rode into the sand dunes to watch the sunset. Then we went to our Sahara Sky Luxury Camp.
Before we headed to the camp we had an amazing treat. Our guide took us to his house and his mom cooked us a home made meal. It was so big and amazing. We couldn’t move because we were so full.
We visited a nomadic family in the desert. The man still has multiple wives and each has their own tent.
we also had lunch at the home of the owner of Sahara Sky Luxury Camp.
We visited a music center run by people from sub-Saharan Africa. Actually, their ancestors were from the south but they have been in Morocco for generations. They are working to keep their ancestral culture alive. The kids even dances with them so watch this video.
We stayed at Riad Hassan the next night. Another gorgeous property.
On the way to Dades Gorge, we stopped in Rassani and visited a traditional market. The sites were incredible.
On our drive we spotted a bunch of piles of sand. They were all Wells. The former residents of the area had dug an aqueduct under ground, leading from the mountain down to their village. The piles were actually mud/earth from the waterway down underground. They did it this way so the water wouldn’t evaporate on-ground.
Next, we headed into the Dades valley/Dades Gorge. Enjoy the sites.
Then, Jevyn got a hair cut and Justin got a straight edge shave.
We stayed at the Riad des Vieilles Charrues in the Dades Valley. This is where they helped us celebrate Jevyn’s 11th birthday.
More canyons.
We visited a restored casbah, or castle. It’s much like the castles in Europe and was a home to the aristocrats. This one was purchased and restored and even hosted filming of a movie called Hanna. The family purchased and restored this casbah using original methods. It was definitely similar to the castles in the UK and Ireland – uneven steps, small windows, towers, etc.
Next stop, Ouaezazet and Riad Chamaa.
On the way to Taroudant we saw this!
Another town another cute Riad. Riad Tafilag. It’s owned by a French couple who spend half their time in Morocco.
Girls using the apparatus to extract argon oil.
The kids and I went out into the Médina to get fruit and explore. We got a little lost because our road home was blocked by a group of student protesters. The kids all over Morocco are protesting because the government decided not to “fall back” this fall so the school times are all wacky. So, instead of school from 8-12 then 2-6, the hours are now 9-1 then 2-6. This gives them only a hour to go home, have lunch, then come back. They do not provide food at school and some kids live far from school so it may take them up to 30 minutes of just commute time. I love the activism in these kids!
We saw this is several cities.
On our way to Essaouira we passed through Agadir with lots of big resorts.
Next stop Essaouira and the last week of our trip.
See you soon!
Higman Travels 