We continue our journey south, out of the Atlas mountains and to the souther edge of Morocco, along the Algerian border.

Sunrise in Äit Benhaddou.. you can hear the chant of the call to prayer about 10 minutes prior.

Along the way we stopped at a Berber village that has a Women’s Cooperative to make rugs.  There are numerous styles and material used, depending on the source.  Local Berbers do it one way but there are also rugs made by Cave Berbers, Touregs, Nomads and Bedouins.  I used to think those were all pretty synonymous, but each is a different “race”.. and there are numerous tribes within each sub-category.

All dyes are made in house from natural plants.  Most rugs are either woven on a loom or sewn.. using sheep or camel hair.  Brenda is getting a lesson and doing it wrong.

Upstairs is the shop; we couldn’t leave without finding something small and colorful that wasn’t too much money and would fit in our suitcase.

Further on we stopped at a spot where date palms grow.  We ate a few, but it’s too early in the season.  They were bitter and astringent.

In Foum Zguid (pronounced like “Fomez Gade”).  Brenda did some last opportunity shopping. We also picked up food and water for a picnic lunch.  This town is the last stop before the roads and and the rest of our trip is done on 4×4 on trails.. and then eventually there aren’t even trails.

Later that afternoon our guide stopped at the only shade for miles to give us a chance to eat a lunch and go potty.

Berber house on the wayl

A well in the middle of nowhere.. but with solar power to run a pump that will fill the basin when needed.

We’re now in the sahara.  I took this photo from the top of the dune after “using the facilities” on the other side.

Now we’re talking.  The seed goal for this entire trip was to “Go riding camels in the Sahara” .. and we finally got to do just that.

On the way to our camp.  It was very windy this afternoon; the scarves weren’t just for looks.  Temperatures are not bad.. 80s in daytime and upper 40’s at night.

The final leg to our camp is about an hour’s ride by camel from the car dropping off spot.

Our final destination hoving into view.

The tents are quite nice.. they call this place “Nubia Luxury Camp” and, considering where we are, it is quite luxurious.  Each tent has running water, a toilet and rudimentary shower.  No A/C nor heat, but plenty of blankets for when the sun sets.

A welcome tea.. traditional at every place we arrive.  What was special about today was that we had the entire camp to ourselves.  We are staying here two nights – the second night about 10 other people arrive.  But for our first 24 hours, we were waited on to an embarrassing level.

Dinner for two in the communal meal tent.

A better view of the tent with me making my “I’m having the time of my life” face.