A Slow Morning in the Riad
We didn’t have to get up early today, so we woke around 08:00 and had breakfast in the cool courtyard of the Riad. After eating, we relaxed for a while before heading out for a midmorning coffee at one of the local cafés. The boys who always hung around outside the Riad stopped to chat, and even the local ladies in their abayas smiled and said bonjour as they passed. It struck me again how friendly Moroccan people are, and how many languages they speak. I found myself wishing I’d learned more languages when I was younger, but with my memory now, I’m lucky to manage the basics.
Journey to the Desert
We returned to the Riad to collect our cameras and bags, then walked to the pickup point. A small minibus took us to a more touristy area near Jemaa el-Fnaa, where we transferred to a larger bus. As we left Marrakech, the police pulled us over and fined the driver 300€ for not carrying his ID. Once we were on our way again, we stopped at a roadside building to see how argan oil was made. We were given mint tea, bread and dips, I especially liked the argan oil mixed with peanut butter, before being shown the traditional grinding method and the products for sale.
Camel Ride
We continued into the desert and eventually reached the site where the camels were waiting. I wasn’t sure if I’d manage to get onto the camel, even with it lying down, but with a bit of help I was soon sitting astride it. When the camel stood up, back legs first, then front, I felt like I was perched on a wide barrel high above the ground. My hip ached slightly but nothing serious.
Lisa was on the camel behind me, and once everyone was mounted, we set off in a small camel train. The views were fantastic, and I couldn’t help thinking of Lawrence of Arabia. After a short stop for photos, we returned to the starting point far too quickly for my liking. I loved the ride and wished it had lasted longer, though I doubt I’d have enjoyed it quite as much at the 30–40 km/h camels can apparently reach.
Quad Bike Ride
Next, we were led to the quad bikes. I was nervous, the last time I’d ridden one was at a Pontins holiday camp in Prestatyn when I was about 12 or 13, and it ended with the bike rolling back on top of me. Thankfully, today’s bikes were much larger and more stable. Lisa took the first bike, and I climbed onto one a few places behind her. The helmet was tight, and the goggles were useless, so I used my wraparound sunglasses instead.
Once we set off, I loved it. The ride brought back memories of my old Yamaha FS1-E, only this bike had far more power and no risk of lawyers crashing into me. I dropped back occasionally to create space, then accelerated to catch up, racing over dips and up small hills. We stopped halfway for photos before finishing the route. I could feel the adrenaline for an hour afterwards and immediately started thinking about doing a longer quad bike trip in the future.
Dinner in the Desert
After the ride, we sat beside a swimming pool in the desert and were served dinner. We started with a beautiful salad and mint tea, followed by a chicken and vegetable tagine, and finished with a coconut sponge cake. Musicians wandered between the tables playing and singing as the sun set over the desert. I took a few photos before we moved to a nearby area for the evening show.
Music, Dancing and Fire Show
The musicians performed inside a large oval of tents, with fires lit around the space for warmth and atmosphere. I didn’t join in the dancing, my knees wouldn’t have survived, but I filmed the musicians and dancers. When the show ended, our guide hurried us down the hill to a fire pit where a fire performer was about to start. In the darkness, we could only see his outline until he lit the torches. He juggled flames, swung burning ropes in arcs around himself, and finished with a dramatic display using pots of burning oil and ash. I was glad I captured it all on video.
Return to Marrakech
When the show finished, our guide spotted us and shouted “Arsenal!” to get my attention. We followed him to the minibus, which joined a convoy leaving the desert. Inside, he put on music and switched on coloured strip lights that flashed in time, a brilliant little disco across the sand. Once we reached the main road, the lights went off and we drove back to Marrakech. Everyone else was dropped at the pickup point, but Lisa and I were taken close to our Riad.
I had a fantastic day, worth coming to Morocco for this alone. Everything was well organised, and I enjoyed every part of it. As we left the minibus, I shook the guide’s hand and gave him a 100 DH tip, which he fully deserved. We reached the Riad around midnight, and I was asleep within minutes of my head hitting the pillow.
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