Morrocco Day 5

OToday we are heading into the Sahara. We stopped off at the local market for lunch supplies and then drove alongside the Jbel Tadrart ranges on long, flat roads to Tamegroute. It was market day in Tamegroute so very busy. Lots of traditional clothing, women in black with colourful decorations, men in white. And lots of other colours as well. Turbans are also very popular, worn in a variety of styles..

Reasons to  be vegetarian inMorrocco. 

Reasons not to go to the dentist in Morrocco.

We were guided through the market to the library, but being a special day, it was closed. Outside the library were many people waiting for food supplies to arrive from a charitable organisation. Plenty of police were there to keep control.

Next visit was to the mental institution, just the outside, which is decorated in the colours of the region. Lots of people coming in and out. You can stay there for up to two weeks to be cured by the Quoran or traditional medicine.

We were then escorted through the rammed earth Kasbah complex. Very thick walls regulate temperatures inside. 

Nex stop was to the pottery factory. This area is known for the green glaze produced from copper and magnesium. Clay is collected from under the ground.

 Men make the bowls inside mud brick buildings sitting in holes in the ground to keep cooler.

Then pots are fired in outdoor ovens.

And sold in the shop.

Next stop,the Sahara, hope I get the pretty camel.

Stop for nussnuss (coffee) in the military township in of xxxxxxx

Keeping a cool seat on the motorbike is pretty important out here.

A tagine shaped mountain.

We all got pretty camels! A lovely little saunter around the village and into the first dunes of the Sahara.

4WDs were waiting for us at the end of our ride to take us deeper into the desert for an overnight stay. A rough and dusty trip through vast areas of emptiness.

Wild camels.

After a refreshing tea and tour of the camp, we explored the dunes. Stunning sand formations and fun with evening shadows. My camera may not survive the sand though. There are several other camps in the same area from different tour operators.

Shadows getting longer as the sun sinks in the sky.

Walking along the ridges was tricky, especially if you were first.

That's our camp. The large tent is the dining room, fire pit in the middle. Our bedroom is the one on the right, closest to the 'facilities' just out of picture.

This plant has a very toxic substance inside the squishy green flower. It can cause blindness if any gets near your eye.

Our room.

Sunset was speccy.

A simple desert dinner, soup followed by vegetarian tagine. Sadly, the vego fare is all a bit bland and overlooked, but nourishing. Lots of fun around the campsite followed by an outdoor sleep under the stars. A bit fresh at times though no sand blowing in my face.