My Moroccan Guide

09/12/2018

This shop, in the heart of the Rissani market, was full to the brim with all kinds of treatments, both medicinal and beauty-related. Here an assistant is grinding and blending a mixture of herbs.

09/12/2018

08/12/2018

On day 4 we got up really early to watch the sunrise over the golden dunes before having breakfast in the camp, gathering up our belongings and riding our camels back to the hotel. Shortly after leaving the hotel we spotted a young boy who wanted some change for photos of a Fennec fox which he was holding and then were lucky enough to see a Berber bride riding a camel on her way to her wedding!

Our first stop was Khamlia where we watched a demonstration of gnaoua music while enjoying a mint tea.

After shopping for rugs, mats and other bits and pieces in a roadside shop near Rissani, we went into the town centre where there is a huge market every week, frequented by the Berber nomads. It wasn't market day when we were there but we still managed to visit the spice stalls and an amazing herbal medicines shop which offered cures for everything from coughs to prostate problems!

Next we made a quick stop to see locals milking camels - and sampled the fresh milk which was delicious - just like Ambrosia tinned rice!

We continued to Ait Ben Haddou where we arrived at our hotel after nightfall.

27/11/2018

On day three of our visit when we got up and after breakfast, we drove along Dades Gorges before the short drive to Todra Gorges. The sheer sides of the gorge are impressive and provide cool shade which would be much-needed in the hot summer.

Our next stop was at Kelaa M'gouna which is known as the Valley of the Roses. Here we all tried on Berber costumes!

Next we enjoyed a traditional, home-cooked Berber tagine in Erfoud and the girls had their hands beautifully decorated with natural henna.

In Merzouga we got on our camels and rode for about an hour in to the desert. The girls loved it!

When we arrived at our camp it was more glamping than a camping! Each tent had its own shower and W.C.
After dinner we sat around the fire and there was drumming and dancing under the stars.

21/11/2018

The next day we crossed the High Atlas Mountains. It was very cold with snow on the ground at the highest point which is Tizi N'Tichka at 2260 metres.

21/11/2018

When we entered the riad it was like stepping into a different world!

21/11/2018

When we arrived in Marrakesh it was dark and raining. We would never have found our way to the riad, through the tiny alleyways of the Medina if it hadn't been for our guide, Hammed