Marock'in with Fatima and Aisha, Inch Allah!

Alright, it's been long enough and finally I have my Moroccan photos all sorted out. Now....it's interesting how such a diverse place, such an unforgettable trip, packed full of countless memories and unforgettable experiences and wild times with my dearest friend Bree, can result in...so much and nothing to say. More than just writers block, trying to recount this trip has resulted in something I can't explain. Maroc evokes in me something else. I can't seem to put it into words, so instead I'm letting the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!
(oh, and due to the joys of my sllllow mac, the trip unfolds from finish to start! hehe)

*Note you can click on the images to see an enlarged view*


Bree gets funky with the camera



Ending another day in bliss



Unfortunately a bit out of focus, but had to highlight yet another set of doors that open to the desert. An all-too-common sight that I loved!



Just another amazing sky



On the side of the winding road along the Dades Gorges



A rather accurate example of the road we were driving. Tightest switchbacks ever. Again, just a little phot op carved into the side of the cliff along the road...



Way up high, just below the road above, a boy sits playing his music. An amazing view he had...



Hotel/Restaurant built into the side of the cliff along the road through the Dades Gorges.



Enjoying the view for a moment in one of the small villages at the end of the road through the Dades Gorges



Good morning sunshines! Before we are about to embark on our winding drive through the spectacular Gorges du Dades.



View from our hotel on the morning we left for the Dades Gorges.



A night of dancing, drumming and mint tea of course. Costumes are questionable...



The ritualistic turban wrapping for the girls each morning. Yuossef helps Bree with hers. I liked to twist from afar IN to mine....hehe



Tuckered out from one craaaazy last night in the desert. (Ask me about that later) Preferring to sit in the morning sun and watch the boys do all the work.


Weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! These sand dunes were too perfect for log rolls! Hahah



Some shots don't need explaining....







Our darling Abdul loves his camels.



This is an example of how they were tied up whenever we stopped to rest or overnight. This kept the camels from wandering off never to be found again. Still, they could hop awkwardly on three legs, as illustrated here, hence his cut off head. He was really goin for it here!



Here's looking at you, kid




In the middle of the desert on the border of Morocco and Algeria



Sometimes Bree and I simply got tired of riding camels, so we opted to walk, much to the amazement of Abdul and Yuossef. Yes, sometimes even Queen's like to be treated as 'normal' haha



Our beautiful caravan



Stopping under the Acacia tree for just another feast in the middle of the day



Bree's ritualistic sand baths after lunchtime each day



I would give anything to be lying under the sun on these blankets again. Completely covered with my turban to avoid the hot hot sun, loving every minute of this after-lunch sieste.



My cross-eyed camel buddy eventually warmed up enough to walk beside me



My daily view :)




This girl is the best thing to happen to me



No big deal



My perfect munchkin on a perfect morning in her lil jellabah. Cheek-pinching cute.



Telling stories, singing songs about Fatima and Aisha and trying to stay warm under the desert night sky...



A most mouthwatering delicious tagine home made in the desert by Yuossef and Abdul. Just waiting to dig in...oh the temptation!



Another day ends as we set up inside the tent and await our dinner (never being allowed to do anything, treated like absolute queens)



Such patient creatures




I love my life. It is during this desert trek that we earn our nicknames of Fatima (me) and Aisha (Bree) for reasons not so unknown but...maybe we'll tell you another day. They still stick with us.



Pretty much already sunburnt, despite the amount of cloth covering me.




Our first day, just before we head out for 3 full days in the desert. I had a hard time at this meal accepting graciously to just be served by men, and not allowed to do ANYthing, or even have the pleasure of the boys sitting with us to eat. Bree sternly told me to 'f***ing deal with it and eat up! We deserve it.' haha....that got me through it. After that, I lapped it up. Thanks Bree, Bismalah!



Bottom centre of the map is where we were headed, to that sand dune just in front of the Berber man with his camels



A little piece of paradise of a hotel in the desert town of Zagora. Beautiful oasis.



Hahahah....the parking lot behind the Saturday market. Nothin' but donkeys!



Bree and I finally discover where everyone buys their veggies. Seriously...we didn't find anything green for our first five days....at least. Grocery stores or corner stores for this kind of thing DO NOT exist. Markets happen on certain days, different for every town you are in. And not even in every town. Families came in by grand taxi this day, to the desert town of Zagora, ready to load up for the week.



Shortly after I took this photo, Bree is trying to hide me beside her, telling me "I think you better put your camera away now, those guys are yelling at you...at least I think that's what they're suggesting...." Can never be too careful.



Wishing I could lounge here napping for all the day.....sigh..



Early morning and the streets are still deserted in Zagora



Market day



Just another boy selling figs on the side of the road



Family crossing the bridge with their donkeys



We saw this quite a bit, this writing on the sides of hills. Varying slightly, they would be messages of good will or prosperity towards the King, who visited this region many years before. It was just rocks placed in such a way that they have not moved at all since they were first laid down, no binding material used at all.



The most unbelievable scenic drive, Bree and I both living our dream of what we imagined Morocco to really look like. This being the beginning of a beautiful oasis landscape on our way towards Ourzazate.






No matter where you go, towns are always brimming with activity.



Love the hills in this shot. They changed SO many times along this route, it was hard to believe we were in the same country, let alone same 100km's.



Another change in the hills, with towns 'growing out of the dirt', dotted along the way.



Just after we pass the town (below) we start to traverse our first snowy range.



Stopping to buy a few knick knacks along the way, our first glimpse of the snowy mountains in the distance.



Yet another variation in the ever-changing landscape of this magnificent country.



Just another door. Basic really. Marrakech style.



Coming back home to Marrakech late one evening, getting a peak through the keyhole. LOVE the keyholes everywhere. Seriously.



A quick escape to the beaches, in Essaouira, where Jimi Hendrix wrote his song 'Castles in the Sand' way back when. No suntanning on these beaches though, gotta stay relatively covered up...and besides, it wasn't that hot yet.



Renowned surf spot Essaouira, complete with beautiful white buildings. Lovely town, very windy! (duh)



Even stop signs are picturesque.



Colour, everywhere.



Our first night in Marrakech, we excitedly check out the night market in the main square, Jmaa el Fna, and are immediately whisked to dance along to the djembe's playing, and have our picture taken while dancing along to the crazy rythemic beat of the wild market. Monkeys, dancers, music, storytellers, exotic scents, stalls, henna, families, visitors, movie screens, horses, donkeys, carts, colour, beggars, bargaining, food galore, a chill in the air....this is Marrakech.

Welcome to Morocco.