Morocco 2023

Todra Gorge to Ait Ben Haddou – 8 May 2023 (281kms)

Ok, now to get out of here. The reverse of arriving yesterday. Singo goes first & cautiously. Gibster, Russ & Mike follow. All successfully back on the road. Boxy thinks “why fix it if its not broken” and heads off on foot to the road leaving his bike to the valet.

We exit the area through the huge Todra gorge. Steep walls and water flowing in the river.

Back into the desert and stop for a view & photos. We are mobbed by professional Marroc scarf salesmen. We each succumb and get dressed up for photos.

Boxy needed cash so we made our way to a village with a bank. There was liquid on the road. Hana side stepped it, the Gibster did a sweeping ark to miss it, but Singo thought why are these guys being pussys and ploughed through the middle with spray going everywhere. It was only at dinner that Singo discovered that he smelt like shit because he rode through the sewerage.

The road this morning is great riding. Curves winding up into the mountains. As we approach 2000m the plateau is covered in thin green foliage. Such a different look. We stop for a coffee at the top of a mountain pass, Djebelsarhro, 2300m. It is a pleasant 20degs.

The Gibster grabs Mike, and takes him aside. “Grasshopper”he says, “during the last session, you only changed gear 120 times compared to my 525. The point is that you are not gear appropriate at many corners which is holding you back”. Mike grabs the stone, looks blankly and walks away. We still don’t know what he thought.

We descend into a yawning chasm. A huge cavernous bowl waits to receive us. Back to 33degs and a long ride through the broad valley.

Lunch at Agdz. Moroccan salad & tagine.

This afternoon, the landscape may be described as lunar-like. At close hand it is inhospitable. Undulating and rocky surface. In the distance, the mountains rise up through the haze. The fossils now make sense. The vast plains look like they could accomodate dinosaurs. The road is great and we fly around the winding hills.

Arrive at Ait ben Haddou hotel at 3.30. Another lovely boutique hotel. Its 36degs and bloody hot!

Drinks today are earned!

A quick trip into the old village before dinner, a UNESCO site where they filmed Gladiator. Then we settle into a rooftop G&T and a wonderful dinner in the hotel. Lots of discussion and laughs.

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