A lazy 10am departure from our Tamedaght riads this morning, after some time for painting, for the drive through the Drâa Valley to Zagora.

Our chariots (aka Japanese camels or more accurately,  Toyota 4WDs) were driven by somewhat subdued chauffeurs this morning after their boisterous evening with Berber mates.

All good fun – such nice guys and like so many Moroccans we have met so far, never without a smile.  I love the way they say “thank you” and “welcome” with their hand across their heart.

Morocco is a very seductive country.  It doesn’t take long to come under its spell.  It’s peaceful and safe.  Unfortunately many foreigners regard Morocco, theoretically part of the Maghreb, as being in the same boat as some of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbours.

Not only are the people lovely, the scenery in this part of the country is just stunning.  We wound our way through mountains, along river beds, through mud-brick (pisé) villages, and alongside part of the 200 km long Drâa Valley date palm grove (56 different varieties).  We bought a box of delicious dates – 50 of them for €2!

Our first pit stop was only a few kilometres away on a mountaintop to get a view across the oasis to the World Heritage Aït Benhaddou.  Then on the Ouarzazate to extract some dirhams from the ATM.

Lunch today in Agdz was a bit of a disaster as the restaurant we’d booked didn’t seem to have any staff or be interested in our group of 24 customers.  The drivers took over the kitchen and prepared salads and sandwiches but it still took two hours instead of the planned one.

There was an up-close-and-personal moment with a camel as we exited the car park.  Not everyone has seen a dromedary accept a bottle of water, tip it up, swallow the lot and then drop the empty plastic bottle in the bin!

Two separate riads again tonight.  Most of the painters are down the road in Dar Sofian, while us non-painters and partners are enjoying Michelle and Moha’s hospitality at Vila Zagora.

Off to the Sahara Desert tomorrow.  Can’t wait.

Still can’t upload pics!  Humph!!  Doubt we’ll have much luck in the desert either, so next post may have to wait till Tuesday from the delightfully named Foum Zguid.