We’re in the Sahara Desert! Erg Chebbi, Morocco
We’re here – N31.12817 W4.01261
Weather – it’s the desert, sunny then a bit cloudy, and rain tonight, but I don’t care, it’s amazing!
We’ve had a great day. We woke up in our little oasis in the desert, J went out and bought some supplies from a local shop and picked up from home made bread from Mohammed, who has been looking after us.
We then did some bartering with him and I’m sad to say, my bike – sorry Dad – but it’s only been off the bike rack twice, and pooch’s chariot (which he’s never been a fan of) were traded for a jacket for J, a silk throw for me and a compass necklace so I can navigate by the stars. We were really pleased with our trades as Dave is now quite a bit lighter at the rear and hopefully Mohammed and his family will get a lot of use out of the bike and shopping cart – we last saw his little brother Abdul racing around the campsite on it.
We thought yesterday’s drive was breath-taking, today’s was no less impressive. The gorge we were travelling along widened and looked like the grand canyon filled with palm trees. It was remarkable.
Soon we were on a dirt track to meet up with Chris and Tina at Erg Chebbi – the edge of the sahara desert. When we arrived at the co-ordinates it turns out to be an amazing hotel (it reminds me of our honeymoon resort), right next to the sand dunes. We’re parked up between the hotel and sand dunes right next to the camels! I kid you not. This evening we climbed up to the nearest high dune to watch the sun set and play in the sand with Chris, Tina and Loli.
Tonight we had a slap up meal in the hotel (it seems this is where all the stars stop when visiting the desert, today though it was just full of Japanese tourists), then walked over to the spa to book ourselves in for a Hammam tomorrow morning – can’t wait. We’re really slumming it at the moment – not!!
We’ve been so busy it’s just a short update today, but to make up for it there are lots of photos!
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- Dave in Meski at night
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- Provisions J unexpectedly got on his morning walk
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- The canyon, oasis and houses
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- Every shop is a fossil shop around here – but they call them museums!
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- Waves from the locals as we overtake them!
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- J and Dave on the dirt road to the desert
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- The entrance to our “campsite”
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- J and our neighbours – the camels
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- Charlie and Loli fight for bread at Erg Chebbic, Morocco
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- We’re in the Sahara!!!
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- J’s new coat keeps him warm while the sun sets
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- J rolling down a dune
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- Charlie the desert dog
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- The nomads in the desert
Ju x
Morocco’s looking like a great detour, especially loving Jay’s new coat, he just needs some funky pants to go with it. I’ll give you 300Dh for the desert dog.
300Dh, for my prize, champion snuffler, family Desert Dog? You cut my throat, you steal from my children! :) 10000Dh to you, and not a Dirham less. Oh, go on then, I’ll take 350. The coat’s cool; a fine exchange for an unused, heavy, dog-pulling device. Not seen many funky trousers though mate, they all tend to go full length funky around here – no-one wears coats like the one I got either!
Jay looking v much like jack nicholson in that shot of you three in the desert!
Hi Shiriin, I’ll take that as a compliment! :) Jay
the photos are so beautiful! <3 <3
Thanks Josh (on behalf of Ju; she takes all the photos, well all the good ones anyway). The place is beautiful. It’s 8:30am here, and time for me to shut down the laptop and go looking for dung beatles, I’d love to see one doing his thing rolling poo around the desert! Cheers, Jay
if you don’t get one, I can flog you one….only D10 to you, monsieur