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Africa: North to South, Part 1

Africa: North to South, Part 1, Morocco and Mauritania

Simon and Jennifer
2006-04-26 10:13:00

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that the vehicle was parked too close to the edge of the cliff and were rolling into the canyon, however we arose both mornings to find that we were parked in exactly the same place and nowhere near the edge of the cliff.

Ifrane - what a completely different feel, alpine style houses, a fantastic bakery and none melted chocolate bars!!!! We'd already seen some of the beautiful scenery in the area but this was the first time we had called in to the town, it was not the last!

Another tourist route we took was the Jbel Tazeka circuit near Taza. While in the area we visited some amazing caves with stalagmites and stalactites and drove to the summit of Jbel Tazeka for amazing views (most people walk, but we were feeling lazy and decided to take the 4x4 track!)

We visited many cascades and falls while in Morocco, but our favourite was probably the Cascades de Ouzade near Marrakech.

As the end of Ramadan drew near we made ourselves at home in the city of Marrakech. It was amazing to see the main square turn from a mad free for all junction with lone traffic officer standing on his podium directing traffic, to a hustling, bustling market heaving with food stalls and people enjoying the freshly cooked soups, tajines and seafood.

From Marrakech. we drove over the Tizi'n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate. Here the evidence of the many films shot in Morocco could be seen from the huge studios with giant Egyptian statues at the gates. We visited Ait-Ben-Haddou, a kasbah/village which has set the scene in many films including Jesus of Nazareth.

Just in case we hadn't seen enough of twisting roads to last us a lifetime, we drove to top of the Dades gorge and camped at over 2000 meters (this may not sound like much, but believe me it was freezing and an experience I won't be in a hurry to repeat!) Having made it up the Dades gorge (the least traveled and most remote of the gorges) ...