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Published: March 9th 2016
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Day 8 - Goodbye Fes, hello Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert/Merzouga
Ohhhh.... It was an early start this morning! I was up at 4.55, breakfast at 5.15. Really, it was ok for me as I went to bed at 8.45! I got showered, watched an episode of Suits on Netflix, then slept like a baby, as always!
Breakfast today was scrambled eggs, bread and cheese, followed by pain de chocolate with coffee. Very nice it was too! I brought my bag down with me this morning, so I'm good to go!
Haled came through with 3 pairs of socks..yayyyy... My warmer world is now complete, and just in time for our visit to the Atlas Mountains.
When I was in Taghazout, I was warned about the cold and snow in the north, I was not disappointed! The first news from Haled was that the roads may be closed!
We set off; it wasn't long before we came across the barrier preventing traffic going through the mountain roads. We waited for about half an hour; then the roads were opened. If the government consider it is not safe, you simply cannot go through.
Although I was
prepared for it, it is surreal to think I was getting burnt in the sun with factor 50 cream on in Taghazout only 5 days ago.... And now, I am in the deep snow and falling mist in the mountains, yet on my way to the Sahara desert .... Such a contradiction!
I can say, it is very quiet, and so beautiful. I know that I keep saying this to the group members, on Facebook, and problems in my blog too.... I am sooooo grateful for my Moroccan shopping; my coat, hat, boots and now socks! It is such a blessing to feel warm in these conditions!
We had a couple of stops in the way over the mountains; the first stop as at a garage, it was so cold, the floor was thick snow be icy, but the coffee was good. The second stop was n the passage de cedres, a scenic photo stop; there were monkeys and dogs roaming through the snow covered cedar trees. The next stop was at a beautiful, authentic Kasbah which has been modernised into a hotel. It had a glowing log fire that was soooo welcome to us all. We all
huddled around it!
We have passed through the snow, the sun is shining and the sky is blue again, but beware, it is a very blustery, cold wind!
Our next stop was at 1pm for lunch. We were all instructed to bring pack up with us. We sat out in the garden area at a petrol station. As we at getting further away from the Atlas Mountains, and nearer to the Sahara desert, it is definitely feeling warmer. I can now feel the heat from the sun, and the layers are gradually being shed.... Ahhhh, it's a good feeling!
We stopped at another beauty spot to take photos; Valley de Aziz, the simply built houses in the village are strategically placed around the date trees; then onwards we drive again! Constantly getting warmer!
We left the normal road, and started on the bone shaking cobble road to the hotel in the Sahara desert; although I didn't know anything about it ... As I was asleep throughout! It was commented on by Gary!
We met our camels that would be taking us to the camp. We got on one by one, then off we set! It
was a heat ride! As we went along, it started to cool off. My layers were put back in stages.
I loved it! We arrived at the camp about an hour later. My hips and thighs certainly knew they had been worked!
We settled in the camp for the night. We were fed beef tagine, fruit and tea. We made our own entertainment with the camp people; drumming, singing and yoga moves!
A great night! I slept really well... Again! So did my roomy Heather, it was a first for her!
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