A long day’s drive today along the ‘Route of the Thousand Kasbahs‘, but lots of interesting stops along the way.
Old towns
Newer market towns bordering oasises
This is also known as the Valley of Roses. During the summer roses bloom prolifically along this road. Pilgrims walking to Mecca in the nineteenth century brought back rose cuttings from Damascas and planted them in this area.
We moved from desert to oasis landscapes
A dam built in the 1960s by King Hassan 11 - a major iniatiative to provide water to drought areas
Simple aqueducts
The desert town of Ouarzarte - used for many famous films. Lawrence of Arabia, A Man who would be King, Babel, Gladiator..
Lunch at Ait Benhaddou. Turkey tagine - very flavoursome.
Then we visited the famous 12th century Kasbah or fort.
Climbing through the narrow alleyways, full of tempting purchases
Right to the top, where there is the granary, where food was stored, high and protected from hungry invading tribes.
Then an hour’s drive into the mountains..
to the village of Anmiter, where we left our mini bus and our bags were loaded on to mules
We set off in the heat of the afternoon..
Past a copper mine
Mules well laden
Changing scenery
Washing drying on the cliffs
Approaching the village of Tijzha.
Village children returning home from school
The final stretch
The highest point of the village, our accommodation, Riad Oliver.
Traditional courtyard with roses blooming
Our bedroom with ensuite
A traditionally-made ceiling
A tired crew enjoying a beautifully cooked meal - soup, tagine and sweet clementine oranges.
M&M
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