Day 103, Sahara desert to Magoun Valley, Morocco

The views are just great

Up at 6.00 and on the camels by 6.20. Unfortunately it was cloudy so we didn't get to see the sunrise. Back at base showers and breakfast and on the road again. Abdulah our guide is great at explaining things along the way. We're winding our way through little villages where the traditional way of life still exists. There are many Allouits here, and women keep the old tradition of being fully dressed in black, including the face covered. When the husband dies the women wear white for 4 months and 10 days. Many co-operatives organised by the government to especially help women who may have lost a husband or got divorced, as well as to help artists and keep old crafts alive. There are so many palm trees everywhere, loaded with the plumpest dates. Transport seems to be bicycle, feet or donkey. You come across people walking on the side of the road, who must walk for hours to get anywhere. Donkeys are loaded up, transporting both people and goods.

First stop is at an 11th century underground irrigation system, called Khettara, where huge channels were dug approximately 40 metres underground, and wells intermittently placed. The water source was 50 k's away, so a massive effort to dig. They had to be cleaned out every year and were used as recently as 15 years ago. We got to walk through the underground channels, very interesting.

The irrigation channels 

Lunch was with a Berber family in Tinerhir, a lovely home cooked meal, and a wee weaving demonstration. I almost bought a rug, but it turned out too expensive to ship home (even a small one), so decided against it. This was in a village where we had to cross a small river over a half log and the women were washing their clothes in the river. 

Todra Gorge was the next stop, a refreshing walk in the gorge. I have included photos of this beautiful place.

Tours Gorge

We finally arrived in Magoun Valley, our home for the next two nights. The valley is long and green and the rock is red, it's out of this world, I have posted the view from my window, more to come

View from my window