Sunrise in the desert, FANTASTIC. Linda asked what time the sun got up and was told 6:25. We got up at 06:00, expecting the camp to be empty with people out in the dunes waiting. To our surprise there were only 3 people out there, and us. Just before the sun got up another one came out. At 6:25 the sun began peeking over the Algerian hills. Spectacular but quick and not as cold as we were told it would be. After the sun was fully up there was time to take a short walk in the dunes. We didn't stray too far out, just enough to feel like we were alone in the desert. Shortly we saw 2 camels coming towards us with riders who got up extra early to ride further out for sunrise and be really alone. We got back just in time for breakfast. Breakfast was a little come down from last night’s dinner, but still okay. After breakfast one of the camp workers came to tell us our chariot awaits ( 45 minutes early). Scramble to change clothes and repack. This time it was straight to Riad to meet Abdul, who of course was planning on 10 not 9:15. Abdul mentioned on the way in that there was a fossil place we could visit on the way back, no pressure to buy so we said sure. Stopped, got a tour of the place, the dig is 25 km away. Good tour, showed us the different types of fossil life which they find and explained that they dig out slabs and are then are cut with water. Different species are found at different depths, from 3 to 6 meters deep. He then pointed to the shop and left us. We walked through the high price showroom, filled with beautiful stuff, there were even a couple of toilets made out of the slabs with fossils imprinted throughout. We opted for the smaller stuff where everything had prices on them, no haggling, and no one bother with us unless we asked. Of course there was a 20% discount on everything. Spent some money there and left. By now it was around noon. Driver asked if it was too early for lunch, nand we said no. Stopped at his favorite pizza and Moroccan restaurant. It was okay, good food and reasonable prices. We left at 1:30. We were off to see the Dades Gorge. We drove and drove, and he told us he would first take us up to Todra Gorge. A little side trip, 45 minutes up, and 45 minutes back. Very impressive with narrow walls and high cliffs.
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| Todra Gorgej |
Next was the Dades Gorge, again up to one end and back. Stopped for a bathroom break at the top of the gorge, larger and more impressive than the Todra .
By the time we got back to the main road, it was 6 o'clock. Linda told Abdul, we need to find a restaurant. He queried that dinner wasn't included in our Riad package. We said no, so he told us he knew of a great restaurant. Okay on we go. A little way down the highway, he gets real excited. There was a Mousem festival in a small town, and part of the festival there are me dressed in traditional costumes, mounted on horseback, with muskets. About 1/2dozen of the riders line up, start forward slowly, the horses prancing. About ½ way down the field ( about 150 meters long) they change into a full gallop. When they almost run out of room they raise their muskets into the air and fire them off. As soon as the muskets fire the horses jam on the brakes. The next set of riders then line up. There was probably 30 riders. Abdul said we were very lucky as he has only seen it done once before. Apparently the ritual is to honor the saints (some Muslims do). Where we stood at the fence to watch the riders there was a grandfather with about a 2 year old girl in his arms. She was so cute, but she couldn't take her eyes of us, and those eyes got so big when we talked to her. We don't think she had seen people like us before and of course grandpa was so pleased we made a fuss over his granddaughter. Well off we went, still starving. Well the restaurant was in Quazarzate. We arrived just after 9, with nothing to eat since lunch and only 1 potty break. Our driver had 2 very tired and very cranky people on his hands. We ate, and stewed over dinner and told him never again. He took us to our Riad Le Petit, which was very nice, but we didn't care. Just off to bed.
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