the ever changing topography and surface conditions on our 400 kilometer off-road ride kept us in awe and constant focus for vehicle and strained backs. driving in rich prairie sprinkled with grazing camels, gliding through soft desert dunes, banging on hard rubble paths, catapulting us from our seats to the truck’s ceiling, and racing through the vastness of the dry salt river lac d’irici, had us pan the cameras 360.
when silence becomes your favorite tune, starry skies and waxing crescent your light, warm desert sand your suit, the sun your blanket, solitude your best companion, warm beer your most delicious drink, and a day you don’t want to end
the massive dunes of erg chebbi were the most stunning highlight so far. after sandstorm, rainfall and freezing conditions, (snow just 100km away) morocco has never seen, we dove gently into the dunes at sunrise, took our time in the peace and quiet to take in each mount, each shadow, color play with the light and sun. temperatures are rising and we are happy to be free of thick clothing, masks, and the dunes and sand that found its way into the truck and into every crevice of our bodies.
mother nature gave us all she got the last twenty four hours, earth laden skies, heavy rain and a desert storm even the moroccans don’t experience often. long strolls into the gorgeous orange dunes of erg chebbi stunned us. waking up to the view of the soft hills in front of us is such incredible treat. the winds are supposed to ebb tomorrow, for us to make miles in this mind blowing terrain.
gliding through twohundredandfifty kilometers of vast anti atlas road from taliouine to zagora, blessed us with all shades and tones of soft red, orange, beige and grey. from flat land to soft hills, from rugged snow patched mountains to monoliths in the starting desert we are so looking forward to see. it was a lot of “nothingness”, beaucoup de rien. saturated oasis’, dense with palm trees, glistening rivers and humble dwellings made of mud in draa valley. red canyons and little villages passed by us on ever renewing endless roads. each curve made us eager to turn, curious for the next grand panoramic view we might expect behind it. never were we disappointed. oasis palmier at zagora greeted us with a carpet, pillows and short table at our truck. a whisky du berber, thé, our welcome drink under the sunsetting glow of the palm trees, finished off our journey of the day wonderfully
a pleasant easy journey, through majestic valleys, filling up our tank with freshest atlas water at a spring, we ventured off-road, into a garden eden, flanked by large cactus and rich blooming almond trees, towards anmid, when suddenly the soft red iron laden earth broke underneath our right back wheel towards an abyss. claas pulled truck and passengers out of that hole into safety. reaching the village, thirty something kids greeted and followed us back down and out of a road that was unfit for a ten ton four-wheeler. three adults walked beside, in front of and behind the vehicle to warn claas of skinny paths, rock walls to limit the damage. it was a true three hour adventure for us on a one kilometer stretch and we were the excitement of anmid. a campfire, soft tunes, well-deserved cold beer, perfect steak du boef with salad finished the grand day of little kilometers, yet memorable experience.
a foursome journey partially off-road, high up the atlas through some incredible views, a muddy dead-end, flooded bridge and 3 billion stars
…. you were truly an adventure, place of contrasts, of beauty, noise, a lot of almosts, colors, information overload, storytellers, beggars, friends and delicious food … for digestion, we are leaving into the desert. Soon we will be back.
such charming little village, coupled with sweet people made the stay incredibly memorable. merci myriam and philippe for the laughs, the dancing and joy. kéziah, a bundle of such energy. martin, it was a pleasure spending quality time with you 🙂
sundanzz 