Four hour drive to beautiful Todra Gorge, where the rock climbs a good couple 100m either side of our hotel, set in another beautiful oasis. Scott chose to do a four hour walk with a few of the others on a steep climb to the top of the gorge with amazing views but was stinking hot. They visited a nomad camp where they were invited for hot mint tea – not really what scott needed to cool him down! He witnessed the most outrageous haircut he’s ever seen on a two year old – see photos. Apparently it’s a traditions the nomads use on their children so if they die it is easier the angel of death can pick them up by the pony tail and take them to heaven…..! I took ‘the ladies walk’ through the oasis and fruit trees and creeks as didn’t think my knee would handle the downhill based on my painful walk down Mt iron at home before I left. Our Moroccan guide gave me a ‘Kia Ora’ when he realised I was a kiwi and knew there were volcanoes in the north island where I come from – was quite impressive for someone who has never left Morocco!
Our the hotel was mint with stunning views of the gorge, a pool on the terrace and African drums and dancing each night. Had multiple Monoploy deal tournaments and some shisha – apple flavour with a hint of liquorice!
We tried Berber pizza which is sort of like mince, cheese,onion inside thin bread, a bit thicker than pita bread.
And we bought a Berber carpet! Just a small one made from sheep’s wool, about 1m x 0.7m, red, orange and white for a good price (NZ$190) from a Woman’s Cooperative which sells carpets on behalf of local woman, proceeds go back to them and also help support their children. Two others from our group also bought awesome colourful carpets,much bigger though!

Next stop was Ouarzazate for lunch, the movie capital of Morocco ie. Mollywood! We stayed a little further up the road in a gorgeous Moroccan guesthouse in Ait Benhaddou overlooking an old Kasbah (fort turned into house) village where the Gladiater, Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia, Game of Thrones and other movies were filmed. The arena from the Gladiater was much smaller than you’d think from the movie, but the setting was outstanding!

Visited an outpatient disability centre supported by Intrepid which is run by people affected with many orthopaedic problems ranging from polio, paralysis from car accidents, cerebral palsy etc. they have two doctors, make their own prosthetics, and provide facilities for patients to create many different pieces of art ranging from vases, ceramics, beautiful wristbands, painted tea cups etc. on a side note, vaccinations for children are compulsory in Morocco, if they don’t get vaccinated they have trouble getting into schools, and they have to present their ‘health passport’ to the hospital whenever they present with an ailment. They’ve nearly eradicated polio which is pretty awesome.

Had a couscous class which was pretty comical with the language barrier! They use fresh couscous which takes 3 hours to cook as opposed to our ten minute precooked couscous – although they think they still taste the same!