The Long Ride Home

Part 2
     After spending the night in Merzouga, we were ready to get on with our adventures. We were on the road by 5:30 a.m. the next morning in order to commence our long road trip back toward Casablanca. Once again, the driving alone allowed us to see some pretty spectacular views.

photo credit: CCR

photo credit: CCR

     We drove from Merzouga directly to the Dades Gorge. We maneuvered up some intense hairpin roads until we reached the top of the gorge, where we were able to enjoy the view while sipping mint tea and coffee.

     From the Dades Gorge, we drove through El Kelaa McGouna (Also known as the Valley of Roses). This area of Morocco is famous for its rose-growing industry. The town hosts an annual rose festival close to harvest time; and they specialize in manufacturing quality rose products such as rose water and perfumes. Unfortunately, we did not pass through this area in season. If we had, perhaps we could have seen something like this:

a picture that we wish we could have taken

We did, however, see this on our drive toward the Valley of Roses:

     After passing through the Valley of Roses we drove to Ouarzazate, Morocco. Just outside of Ouarzazate is a small Berber village famous in the world of movie productions. The Mummy, Gladiator, and Kingdom of Heaven are just three well-known movies which were filmed in this area. The sets are no longer in place; however, there are props and pictures of the film productions everywhere. David and Chris had fun pretending to be Gladiators in the precise area where the arena was built for the film.

photo credit: CCR

    Two straight hours of hairpin mountain roads, two police pullovers for speeding, zero tickets, and five squatty potty experiences later, we eventually made it back to Casablanca with our rental car intact. To conclude this incredible trip, Nicole went with the ladies to the Hammam for a truly refreshing and much needed scrub. Lastly, we cranked up the Christmas music and put up the Christmas tree and decorations!

-David & Nicole