Blogs from Souss-Massa-Draâ, Morocco, Africa

Nach einer erneut etwas eintönigen Fahrt durch karge Sandsteinlandschaften wird die Vegetation um uns herum irgendwann immer sandiger, je mehr wir uns den Sahara-Ausläufern im Erg Chigaga nähern. Die Orte, die eigentlich meistens eher losen Häuseransammlungen gleichen, bestehen bald nur noch aus Lehmbauten, das Leben dort erscheint immer einfacher, es sind deutlich mehr Tierkarren als Autos zu sehen. Immer öfter stehen statt der bislang üblichen Ziegenherden Kamele am Wegesrand und Sandverwehungen erschweren die Fahrt. Bald sind in der Ferne große orangefarbene Dünen zu erkennen, die ersten Zeichen, dass wir uns unserem Ziel, der kleinen Wüstenstadt Merzouga, nähern. Wir erreichen am frühen Nachmittag unser schönes lehmfarbenes Kasbah Hotel mit Pool und verbringen den Nachmittag dort am Poolbereich. Auch unser Zimmer und unsere kleine eigene Terrasse sind wunderschön, traditionell und do... read more

We stay around the hotel for most of the time we are in Agadir. On the first morning we strike out and walk about 20 minutes to find some shops for some bits and pieces. Not the most scenic walk but it gives us some exercise. One day we are supposed to visit the Souss Massa nature reserve to see the birds in and around the wetlands, but we decide the sybaritic pleasures of doing nothing outweigh the attraction of trekking on foot in the heat. The idle option, but it is a holiday. One day we decide to make the effort to see Agadir so we summon the driver and guide. Agadir was levelled in an earthquake in 1960 and completely rebuilt. It is a dump, no other word for it. Large areas are now ... read more

"We bid fond farewell to Todra this morning en-route to Ait Benhaddou via Ouarzazate. We will stop to buy lunch along the way and have a chance for an optional tour of the Film studios in Ouarzazate, famous for films such as Gladiators, The Last Temptation of Christ and the Living Daylights. On a hill along the Ouarzazate River we find Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts great examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. This afternoon we have a guided tour of the famous Kasbah and village. This is where Lawrence of Arabia was once filmed. Overnight Ait Benhaddou (Breakfast & Dinner included).“... read more

It was going to be difficult to top the great experiences we had in the Erg Chebbi on the previous day and night -- our first camel ride, seeing the vivid sunset and moon rise from the crest of a red sand dune in the Sahara Desert, a night sky full of stars, glamping, and being well fed and entertained with music and dancing around the fire cauldron thanks to our hospitable Berber hosts. But before wandering off to our individual tents for that night, our guide, Larbi, had given us the exact time of sunrise the following morning. Since it would be the perfect ending to experience the desert light full circle from sunrise to moon rise, we didn’t want to miss it. Little by little, our fellow travelers emerged from their tents, obviously still ... read more

Here I go again! Set off tomorrow for a short adventure in Spain and Morocco. Only three and a half weeks but mostly hectic travelling. Start off with 4 nights in Malaga, staying with friend John who is hiring an apartment near the city centre (he's already there). John's brother, Michael, who lives near Granada will be joining us towards the end of this week. On Friday 24th, Michael & me head off by coach to the ferry. Then, after a night in Tangier, catch a train to Marrakech, a few nights there then a coach to Ouazazate, near the sahara (3nights), then a coach to Tarroudant, south of the High Atlas from Marrakech (3nights), then after 1 night in Agadir, a coach to Tafroute, in middle of the Anti Atlas (3nights). Then it's a mad ... read more