A 9 hour bus ride today down the only highway to the Sahara.
The town of Ifane, established by the French as an elegant ski resort and summer retreat town. It was wet and 10degrees. There are skifields nearby in winter.
A good excuse to stretch out legs and warm up with good coffee
Exquisite French gateaux
Traditional towns
Modern towns along the route, established by the French from the 1920s as garrisons to keep unsettled Berber tribes under control and as surveillance over Algeria. They were also constructed to further French interests in mineral (gypsum, lead and phosphate) and fossil extraction - this area was a prehistoric seabed and rich in fossils.
Apples, cherries, figs, pomegranates all grown in this area
We stopped at a large adobe hotel for lunch, well set up for the bus loads of tour groups
Mark decided on camel tagine
An attractive print at the restaurant
Only a few outlets for alcohol. It is rarely served in restaurants and cafes and definitely not in remote areas.
The spectacular Ziz gorge and valley
A huge oasis, Tafilalt, the largest in Morocco, which follows the whole river system, supporting thousands of people. Most of Morocco’s dates come from here.
The dense palm and agricultural area on the oasis. Ksars or small interlinked communities boarder the oasis.
Driving into drier dune country
Arriving at Auberge Sahara, at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, after sunset
A welcome mint tea on arrival
Final briefing before dinner
Our room
Creative ensuite
And swimming pool..
M&M
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