With Marge all fuelled up it was time to set off across the Anti-Atlas mountains to Tafroute. As we were preparing to leave the garage a Moroccan in a 4 x 4 asked if we wanted to follow him to the small Sahara to see camels. Firstly, your 4 x 4 is not in the same league as Marge, proven by the fact there were quite a number of very old land rovers in Tiznit, and secondly, we've had our fill of camels for the time being.
Not long after leaving the outskirts of Tiznit we found ourselves travelling through a sandy, dusty terrain with very little vegetation, save the odd sad looking argan tree, and a few scatter green shrubs, all thirsty in this barren landscape.
As we approached the Anti-Atlas mountains, dilapidated houses of thick stoned walls sat alongside modern terracotta new builds, built into terraces that clung to the hillside. We were surprised at just how many people lived in the area. Some of the homes were very grand. Almost palatial. Once Marge had negotiated the winding roads up to the summit and over the mountains we decided it was time for a refreshment break, so we stopped at a cafe adjacent to a fuel station where we enjoyed conversation with a local man. He'd been to England, his brother lives in Peterborough. Angela asked him why there were so many properties in the area that seemed uninhabited, and he told us the owners were away working in places like Casablanca, and that they returned to the area for three weeks in August. He suggested we take the scenic route down to Tafroute, which although winding was downhill and suited Angela a lot better. She really has a problem with the heady heights of the mountains, suffering with acrophobia, which triggers your brains response to threats leading to panic and anxiety. She can assure you, she wishes she didn't suffer from it.
As we approached Tafroute the landscaped changed. Stunning rock formations of red granite lined each side of the road. Honestly this area should be a UNESCO world heritage site. Tafroute is bustling and vibrant, alive and yet sleepy. Every business imaginable is here. We are almost a thousand metres above sea level, and we think we expected the air to be fresher. Quite the opposite, it is hot, very hot, the air oppressive.
So we waited until after five to walk out, sitting in Marge with three fans running until we ventured out to look around the town and buy some fruit and vegetables from the market. We have come to Tafroute to see some coloured boulders. Why? You might ask. Well in tomorrow's blog you'll see why.
