It is time to make a confession . . . it never takes us the amount of time estimated to get from place to place. When our itinerary says 2-1/2 to 3 hours of driving time — this generally means that it will be an all-day adventure. Perhaps it's because we stop periodically to photograph, or maybe it's because we ask many more questions than typical when being shown sites. Or, maybe it's because the combination of traditional Moroccan / Berber and rock and roll music causes time to move more slowly. Whatever the reason, we never seem to get to wherever we are ultimately heading with time for a swim or otherwise just relax into the beauty of where we're staying. That was certainly the case at Kasbah Ait Omar and everywhere else to date . . .
But, today is a new day . . . we are on the road by 10AM heading to Kasbah Tamnagoult in the Draa Valley. Tamnagoult is a ksar (fortified village surrounded by solid walls wet with towers) and former capital of the Mezguita region. The Kasbah was the residence of former caïds (chiefs) of that area who once controlled access to the trade routes through the Draa Valley. It is currently undergoing restoration work.
Our next stop is in the town of Agdz, which is in the heart of the Draa Valley and renowned for the 45 varieties of dates grown here. From a high vantage point above the town, we have a panoramic view of the Agdz Palmeraie.
While in town, Tehar stops to buy a bottle of Coca Cola and introduces us to a friend — a Coke-drinking camel . . . bottoms-up!
While in town, Tehar stops to buy a bottle of Coca Cola and introduces us to a friend — a Coke-drinking camel . . . bottoms-up!
The road becomes steep and winding as we make our way up Tizi-n-Tinififft Pass (5,554 feet) in the Jbel Sarhro Mountain Range towards Ouarzazate.
After stopping in Ouarzazate to shop — Jewel and I purchased a rug each at one shop, where I also picked up an interesting necklace made by a tribe of southern Berbers. At another shop, Gypsy bought some antique door hardware. This is a town where major $$$ damage can happen. Thankfully, we needed to get to Les Jardins Des Skoura in the town of Skoura in the Dades Valley!
To get there, head to Skoura, then turn off the main road and cross a dry river bed (wadi). Follow orange painted rocks in the river bed — the ones to the left — and then the slashes of orange (and sometimes white) on trees and other vertical-standing objects as you make right and left turns down narrow dirt alleyways until you get there. . .
Les Jardin Des Skoura is wonderful hotel with an edge of "hipness" all thanks to its French owner Caroline. It is, in fact, a renovated (from ruin) and enhanced farmhouse that we understand cost her her marriage . . . and as the name implies it has beautiful gardens! It also has al fresco dining and a pool that we will never have an opportunity to swim in — what a surprise . . . One more day there to do nothing but catch up on my blog, read in one of the hammocks strung between olive trees, and dip my toes in the unheated pool would have been the best!
Of course, if we hadn't stopped to shop in Ouarzazate, we could have easily swum for an hour or more :)
To get there, head to Skoura, then turn off the main road and cross a dry river bed (wadi). Follow orange painted rocks in the river bed — the ones to the left — and then the slashes of orange (and sometimes white) on trees and other vertical-standing objects as you make right and left turns down narrow dirt alleyways until you get there. . .
Les Jardin Des Skoura is wonderful hotel with an edge of "hipness" all thanks to its French owner Caroline. It is, in fact, a renovated (from ruin) and enhanced farmhouse that we understand cost her her marriage . . . and as the name implies it has beautiful gardens! It also has al fresco dining and a pool that we will never have an opportunity to swim in — what a surprise . . . One more day there to do nothing but catch up on my blog, read in one of the hammocks strung between olive trees, and dip my toes in the unheated pool would have been the best!
Of course, if we hadn't stopped to shop in Ouarzazate, we could have easily swum for an hour or more :)