Day 6: A rendezvous with Alice

6.30am No call to Prayer, just our phone alarm reminding us that Day 2 of our safari trip is about to begin.

After selecting suitable attire for camel riding, we grab breakfast from the buffet.

Excited by grated cheese, disappointed when we discovered it was butter!.

The morning air was fresh but the views over Dades Valley amazing.

8am Ready to go

Pick up running late. Boots wandered and spotted Marco Polo supermarkets attached to Hotel, maybe that was the source of the secret wine supply. NOTE from Boots

Dear Dora,

Don't forget you are meant to be the explorer.

Love Boots xxxxx

8.30am Leaving the developing Dades Valley behind, we are on our way, barren land, framed by the Atlas mountains and very exciting cloud formation.

9.15am refuel at Shell garage £1.19 lit

10 ish Jamil joins us, our guide to walk through the valley to a Berber village.

He is a mine of information - quoting heights of mountains, lengths of valleys as well as explaining the different languages of the locals.

Berber Flag

He explains that the palm tree in the photo above is like a man

He explains that the local tribes grow produce and animal food (Alfalfa) in the valley.

Jamil then points out a female palm tree (females bear dates) and points out that one male palm 🌴 can fertilise 60 female ones.

Reaching the village we first walk through the old Jewish qtr

before going into a Berber house (carpet shop)

After removing our shoes, we are given mint tea. Then follows a talk about how the carpets are made, the wool, the dyes and the different types of rugs. My favourite was the Berber style that was reversible fluffy for winter.

As with a lot of traditional crafts, I am sceptical of authenticity, the colours are very bright for natural dyes. None of the group appeared to be over keen to pursue a purchase. One of the italian girls made out she had an allergy, she put it on so much her nose was bleeding, A good act to get out of a haggling situation. Not too sure if she is a real actress.

The bus is waiting for us at the top of the village.

Next stop the Canyon - Todgha Gorge. We travelled up the side of the valley with great views of villages and uninhabited areas.

Jamol continued with us

At the end of the Gorge there was a spring where nomads came for water

The spring water was also home to catfish

12.15pm on the road, after gathering tips and leaving his whatsapp details for photos we dropped Jamil off.

2pm eventually pulling in for lunch.

Slightly different menu

Cheese Omelette - kofta & egg tagine.

Great conversation sharing travel stories with group.

3.06pm Final leg of journey to find Alice & her mates.

3.50pm Hopefully the last stop before the desert.

Frozen water now on board. Running short on cash, not sure we can afford wine even if they have any at camp.

Desert ready!

4.45pm arrived Mezouga and were disappointed to be parted from the group again. We were escorted in a 4x4 along with our luggage literally around the corner to the hotel Residence Touristique. Our luggage stayed in the car and we waited clad in our turbans for some fellow travellers.