Camels in the Desert

We are over Medinas, markets and crowded allies, we decided to make an exit from Marrakesh so at 7:30pm we decided to book a 3day tour to the Erg Chebbi desert at Merzouga (650km and a 2 day drive away)

A cheap tour, we were expecting the worst, we got that in the van driver, but the camel ride in the desert was awesome.

There were a variety of people in the van. Mainly of the young backpacking type. So we felt completely old amongst them all! As Richard said he would rather be old than ditzy – yes we had some of those too. There were Australians, English, Korean, Japanese, Dutch, and Moroccans on board as well as kiwis!

We had a few stops on the way – the most memorable being Ait Benhaddou. This is where lots of movies have been set – such as Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth. It was an amazing place – and old city built out of mud and straw. We also went to a date palm  place, where they grow crops. We had a guided tour and finished up ….. would you believe it, at a carpet shop. The people are Berbers, and the man had quite an interesting spin for the tourists. He showed lots of the different patterns and materials they were made out of. These included camel and sheep wool, and aloe vera fibre. He was quite secretive about his life and wouldn’t tell us how many camels he owned. This is like their bank balance. He of course could do deals on the carpets – and took credit cards.

We made it to the desert area and saw our camels lined up near a hotel – only trouble was there were only 6 of them and 17 of us!! A few confused moments and phone calls in the frantic heat and more appeared down the way!! We were finally off! The trip in to camp was really hot and windy. Sand sandwiches were happening!! We stopped to watch the sunset – disappointing as it was really cloudy. Then headed to camp down the dunes. This was berber style – tents and comfy mattresses. They cooked a chicken and rice meal, but it was so hot in the dining tent .. they are made from their woollen kilim rugs and it was like a sauna. Also no water in the desert – so no plates or toilets!! But for a night it was just fine.

We couldn’t sleep in our tents it was soooo hot. So under the stars it was. Another young group had joined us – lots of Europeans, and chemistry in the air!! The Berbers put on a wee concert around the campfire which was really special. Some tourists joined in – the Hogg’s are rhymthically challenged!! Surprisingly we had quite a good sleep despite the heat and massive scarab beetles.

It was soon 5.30am and time to rise. We had a smooth cool ride back, and had breakfast at a hotel. We then were on the road again.

We wanted to be dropped off enroute and not do the hot drive back to Marrakesh, (all arranged when we booked the trip) as we were heading to Fez next. It was the same road we had travelled the day before, but it took Richard some time to argue/convince the driver that it wouldn’t be an issue!! Also another van driver and guide got involved, as well as a bus tout. We refused to get out of the van where he wanted us to …. and sure enough 30km down the road was where we wanted to go. He let us out, and was fine – (probably wanted to see the back of us!). Driver said – no problem!!!