A full day of painting around our riad today for the artist cohort while most of the non-painters opted for a drive into the Dadès Gorges and up into the High Atlas Mountains.
Ev started the day with a master class. Some painted on the terrace …
… while some snoozed in a hammock …
… while the explorers walked along the river in the Dadès Gorge.
We drove to the 2500 metre peak for a misty but spectacular view.
Later in the day back at the Perle du Dadès riad, there was a massage for some in the hammam, a swim in the huge (and very deep) pool for others, more painting, or snoozing. And for me a chance to relax in Pam’s and my own little villa in the gardens where I am tapping out this blog in the twilight.
A short travel day tomorrow as we begin our Road to Marrakech journey.
Saturday, October 1: Another bus day but not nearly as long as the 550 km journey on Thursday. First, we were able to admire another sunset over the dunes which were bathed in the most beautiful light.
And then it was farewell to desert camp life and into the 4WDs to take us back to Majid and the bus.
We drove to Ksar El Khorbat in Tinejdad — a mud brick, largely underground village that is still inhabited and dates back hundreds of years. They have a fascinating museum there that showcases Berber life with very good explanations printed in multiple languages.
Then a group lunch — goat tagine for Pam and me …
… before continuing to the Todra Gorge, where awe-inspiring rock cliffs drop down to the river.
After at least 1,000 photos had been taken, Majid drove us the last 55 km of today’s journey to the Perle du Dadès riad outside the city of Boumalne on the outskirts of the Dadès Gorges. A bit more rain after we arrived but a few drinks on the terrace and a magnificent feast in the dining room lifted everyone’s spirits.
Hopefully the date stamps on these most recent blogs don’t confuse, but I was unable to post from the desert (no Internet) and last night I could only manage one catch-up. I should be on track again now and will post today’s blog (Sunday, October 2) later tonight Moroccan time.
Whoever wrote the lyrics to that song It Never Rains Down in Africa obviously had never actually been to this part of the continent. We awoke to a very pretty sunrise over the dunes (erg) of Chebbi but it soon turned very windy and later very wet.
And as the wind whipped the shifting Sahara sands, our hardy troop of artists found refuge near the swimming pool (yes, this camp boasts a full sized pool — inside a tent of course).
In the afternoon, the group assembled outside the restaurant tent and the artists tried their talents on more life drawing, this time using Ben as the model.
Fortunately the storm had abated just before 6 pm so 12 hearty souls could enjoy a ride across the dunes on a camel of their choice. There was one camel to spare, so I went along too, with my Berber head gear. Most of us bought these 12 metre long scarves which proved a godsend to keep sand out of our ears and mouth and raindrops from falling on our turbans.
Another big dinner, washed down with some terrific Val d’Argan red, to end a rather different day, thanks to the rain gods, to that which we’d envisaged — sand surfing, walking through the dunes, and relaxing on the sun beds.
Before I finish, I just want to go back to Fès and our road trip from Thursday to show a couple of photos:
The locals call them white flowers. Satellite dishes are prolific on the roof tops of the medina.
The highway and some of the incredible mountain scenery on our long drive to Merzouga.
And finally, a couple of photos from the desert camp — one of my new friends and a night time view of the Moroccan lanterns that dot the rim of the campsite.
