Atlas Area
Staying South of the Atlas
17th to 18th November | 2022
Ha, now I know why felt cold last night. All night I had a bit of a washing machine going on in my belly, and then this morning Diarrhoea! Great, this is what you need as a guide! I didn’t feel too bad and I had the feeling it was not too bad, but to be on the safe side I had a plan: Marco riding Schimmelchen, Hassan driving the assistance car and I would stay with Pedro & Eugenio in the "sweeper car" so that I wouldn’t bother anybody of the group, until the first petrol stop. The boys agreed - so lucky Marco, another day of riding in Morocco. Sorry, Marco, I am not having a KTM or anything else fancy than just a BMW ;-)
After breakfast, we headed off towards Boulmalne Dades. It was really nice to be in a car for a change and get some sort of rest and have an interesting conversation with Eugenio as he is from Ukraine. After some Immodium and SOS treatment from Ines (FB: Terapeuta de Bowen, Inês Rento), I felt great. I have to learn this from her, as it might be of some help during future travel!
At the petrol stop, I figured out that it was the first time Marco was in Morocco, so that was an easy one! And it was a nice relaxing day in the car, chatting, watching the scenery and just chilling.
Before we entered the area of Todgha Gorges, we had our picnic at a nice parking place, with some scarf vendors. The vendors must have done good business with some of us ;-)
After the snack, we drove into the famous Todgha Gorge. Shortly after us also arrived the offroad group. Like that we could do some more group pictures.
Today's hotel is just outside of Boulmalne Dades, on the way to the famous switchbacks of Gorges du Dades. Marco and I had again to sort out the occupancy of the rooms - and yes, I got again an individual room for me!
After all, had their room numbers some of the "street group" went off to the Gorges du Dades before it got night.
As I felt still not 100% I went to my room for some more rest. I fell asleep straight away for the next 2 hours! I think my body just needed that desperately! I felt much better! After a shower, I joined the group for dinner, which was again very delicious.
As the next day will be riding into Marrakesh, we decided for an early breakfast, to try to avoid the complete madness, especially on a Friday evening. After a good night of rest, I felt much better. Sorry, Marco, I will be riding my Schimmelchen again ;-)
It was nice to be back on the motorcycle, as we went through a very nice area today. We stopped right in Quarzazate, first as a miscommunication through Hassan. When he stopped us, we all thought that was already the Filmstudio area, but it wasn’t. So we had to gear up again and went finally to the museum. Some of the group wanted to go in, so we agreed to meet about 45mins later.
Shortly after Quarzazate is the famous mountain village of Ben Haddou (Ksar Ait Ben Haddou). As we wouldn’t have time to visit it, we found a lovely spot to have a view over the valley to it. Also were there again lots of various vendors, so some of the group started straight away looking for some gifts.
Before Marrakesh we had one more stop, at the high point of Col du Tichka in the Atlas Mountains. It was very windy there, so lots of dust in the air. However, we could have our picnic on the first floor in a little cafe shop. They sell very tasty cafe there - besides all the pottery..., but if possible avoid the toilet (very basic squatting facilities with hardly any running water)!
Riding into Marrakesh started smoothly, just be aware of the big potholes on the street! The more we came into the centre, the crazier got the traffic. At one crossroad it was totally crazy as cars, scooters, vans came from all directions (even pictures don’t justify!). Miraculously, we all made it as a group together through the traffic, including the busy roundabouts, to our hotel - after the offroad group, but at daylight :-D
At 19h00 we all met at the reception and walked to the famous Medina, to find a place for dinner. Hassan, our guide, cannot be our official guide, so he was wearing normal clothes. In Marrakesh (same in Fes) you would have to use one of their local official tourist guides. As he was working for some years in Marrakesh he was a bit known, but he was already like a part of our family ;-)
It was very hectic in the Medina as Friday night, but we found a place where we all together could have dinner. Permanently passed some sweets vendors with very inviting, interesting-looking sweets. All around us, it was chaotic, loud and busy. Unfortunately, as soon as you want to take a picture of one dancing or a snake, there is straight away someone at your heel begging for Bakshish (money)! In my opinion, this is a real pity that they try to make money out of these situations!
After a round through the medina, some of us went back to the hotel. Marco and I wanted to discuss tomorrow's programme with Didier, but he must have stayed with some others behind for a drink. As it will be a long day of riding to Tetouan, we decided breakfast at 8h00. I am still convinced, that going first to Tanger and then Tetouan is a total waste of time, and actually not doable, but this is the plan so far.
Next week we shall see how the good 600km journey to Tetouan will be and what time we will arrive. In the meantime relax and enjoy again a Marroquin chai, also called Berber whiskey...
Places | Cities:
Zagora, Tazzarine, Alnif, Tinghir, Todgha Gorge, Boulmalne Dades, Quarzazate, Marrakesh.
Driven km | Trip:
Total | Steffi: 680 km
Maintenance | Breakdown:
./.
Health issues:
Mild Diarrhoea
Special thanks to:
Morocco being such a versatile country!
