Overland to and then a tour around Morocco. Winter 2016-2017

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 13B – Part 2 – Continuing - A scenic drive from Tata to Tagmoute

Here we go again so I hope you have got your breath back?……..



After we looked twice at this next picture it looked like we had a pair of eyebrows and a nose of a GIANT person who had been turned to rock and was asleep on the hillside!......





The lines in the rocks from when this planet was being formed are absolutely stunning……



A group of small hills with what appears to be a ‘Green Coat’……



Not sure what this Tent was for but it was occupied……



























This lady was harvesting Olives from the tree at the side of the road……



The square in Tagmoute where the weekly Souk is held……



By this time we were well past normal lunch time while there was a Café with a few people sat outside drinking Mint Tea (Berber Whiskey!) and one group who were eating fish along with bread.

The fish were ‘Tinned Sardines in Picante Sauce’ so I asked the Café Owner for the same and a pot of Mint Tea……



Making a Sardine Sandwich, and using the Tea to cool my taste buds from the Picante Sauce.
The meal was really very tasty and filling……



We then started to make our way back to Tata……





Mother Nature’s ‘Mountainside Walls’……







OK, so let’s go see if this place lives up to it’s name……



This is ‘Piste’ and it gets rougher……







I stopped to take a look around and very soon we had two of these small black and white birds up close presumably looking for food……





As the view over the top of the hill didn’t look any ‘Nicer’ then having found a place to turn around we started to make our way back to the road……



While driving slowly around the lumpy bits!......



End of Part 2, and we hope you are still hanging onto your seat?……..

Final part a little later!!!......

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 13B – Part 3 – The final part of - A scenic drive from Tata to Tagmoute

The final part from our ‘Excursion to Sidi Nicer’ which didn’t compare to what we had seen both going and coming from Tagmoute, so now it is back on the tarmac to Tata……..























When you looked up at the face of the hills, especially when stopped at the side of the road, it was a bit concerning to see the angle and size of some of the rocks that appeared to be 'clinging' to the face of the hill/mountain, while the re-assurance came when you saw the gully into which they would finally drop!







We passed this culvert on the way to Tagmounte but were that captivated with the scenery around that we decided to take a closer look on our return which is now!......





As the water passes through those tunnels and under the road it then enters another short section of culvert that looks like it could do with re-building, before it enters a large area that looks to be quite fertile……



Then it was back to ‘Flamenco Red’ for the final few kilometres back to Tata……



As the scenery continued……





With one final picture from the trip, and what a scenic trip it was!!!!......



We hope you have enjoyed this trip as much as we did, while we still have a couple of days left here in Tata before we hit the road again……

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 13C – Tata ‘Souk’ day

After breakfast and getting some washing out of the way, as it was ‘Souk’ (Market) day we would have a walk up and take a look as we needed to buy some more vegetables and fruit……..

No this wasn’t a ‘Wind Funnel’ rolling in this morning! It was our Sunrise, with an optical illusion on the shape of the cloud in the sky……



While the rest of the pictures are of the Souk in general……

















For the rest of today we are having some R&R!!!.....

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 13D – Our last day in Tata

As this is our last day in Tata we took off after breakfast for a leisurely stroll around the town……

Passing the two garages in town that sell fuel we noticed that since we came in 3 days ago the price for Diesel has increased again to 9.70MAD/Litre (£0.79/Litre)



The Long Distance Coach Station……



The Artisan & Tourist Office. While the artists are there, the Tourist Office has never been open when we have been here, yet there are quite a number of ‘tourists’ in the town……



Not sure what this building was next door to the Artisan & Tourist Office, but it was quite impressive…..



While the entrance door looked even better……



A ‘Golden Tree’!.......



While the small flowers up close looked like this……



Rather impressive house with a nice front door and three car garage!......



While this LARGE satellite dish is pointing in the right direction and elevation to be able to receive all the BBC Programs along with all the UK ‘Soaps’ but from the campsite you would need a very long cable to connect to it!......



This Pharmacie rang a bell for being able to treat sick Parrots……



As we then spotted a meat delivery taking place. The shop owner refused to take a large piece of meat and gave it back to the truck driver with a few loud words, so the driver hung it back inside, slammed the door, and then got back in his cab and took off!!!......





As we then came back into the town centre it was business as usual for these small shops……







As we were then making our way back to the campsite we spotted this ‘Ebike’ outside a shop at the side of the road.
The bike which was quite old, belonged to the shop owner who told me that the battery had died quite some time ago and he could not get a new one, but as the bike was still OK he continues to use it without the ‘E’ bit!......



That’s it for today, and we are back on the road to Foum Zguid tomorrow......

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 14 – Tata to Foum Zguid

After seeing once again a very nice sunrise at Camping Hyatt in Tata ……





We were then making our way out of Tata towards Foum Zguid and the a few miles outside Tata we see this young Dromedary which is the first one we have seen on this trip except for the ones at Guelmim Camel Market……



A Nomad camp who possibly owned the young Dromedary as there were also Goats near the tents……













Then further down the road we spot another couple of young Dromedaries……





While close by were these Donkeys, but no sign of any Nomad tents……



A couple of miles further on is this new unfinished building while around it are cultivated fields with Palm Plants growing in rows……



Followed a little later by this village set back from the road……



This sign was new to us as it wasn’t here last year, so there must have been ‘problems’ along this stretch of the road as it passes through the village of Tghit……







While at the back of the village is a very long Oasis……



At the end of the Oasis we see the landscape is similar to a Mogul field on a Ski Slope, except these ‘Moguls’ are made of hard soil and not snow……







Mother Natures ‘Home Made Mountain Walls’ again……



Passing through the village of Tissint……







As we then come to another Oasis, this one closer to the road……



The white surface on the soil is ‘Calcium’ left from the water that has evaporated, just as we are getting in the kettle around the element! ......





The further South you go the landscape becomes more ‘sandy’! ......





Road Diversion as the bridge was destroyed in the big storm 2 years ago……



So they built a new ‘Wadi’ that allows the river when it comes to flow over it…..



While the old bridge still remains in pieces……





Then a couple of miles further and we get to the city sign for……





The Town Gate……



As we then pass the Army Camp accommodation which has a large presence here in Foum Zguid……



Camp site details and some pictures tomorrow.

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 14A – Our stay in Foum Zguid

I did not take any pictures of our campsite in Foum Zguid as the place Khyma Parc in my view is not worth it, and we will not be coming back to this campsite on any future visits.

While we did not stay here last year, we have found and seen that the place is literally falling apart with no maintenance being carried out at all.
Mains sockets are hanging out of the wall and are still LIVE, while the supply voltage provides not 220V but 209V.
The showers are at best luke warm, while the shower heads which are like you have in your bathroom with a lot of small holes across the head, while these have at the most around 8 holes that just about allow the water to come through!
The hygiene in the toilets is far from good, and for me that did it, so we are out of here much earlier than planned……

Having set off into the centre of Foum Zguid we saw this lady in her very colourful clothes, that are common for ladies in this area of Morocco……



While this central traffic island is now complete as it was being built when we visited last year……



WOW! That’s a BIG Bucket for making holes……



The main street through the town before the Souk (Market) rolls in on a Thursday!……



With the increases in the cost of fuel we decided to take a walk out to a garage on the far side of town to take a look at the prices there and saw just ahead of the garage this sign that was not there last year!......

The sign says ‘Comping’ complete with the miss-spelling!......



As we turn left we see the garage and this further ‘sign’ on the corner wall……



As we then walk along the road towards the ‘Comping’ this is the view looking back……



As we then come to the ‘piste’ track leading to the campsite entrance……



The campsite is on the left behind the wall, while the building of it commenced at the back end of 2016, so it is a brand new site!......



Reception and restaurant……



Toilets and Shower block and the rooms are huge!......



Electricity is already in and working while the Wi-Fi for Internet access across the camp is supposed to be in place in a week, and while there is still a bit of work to be done I am sure that this will be on the plan for our next trip to Morocco……



The view from the campsite is towards the village of the campsite owner, while he also owns a restaurant in the centre of Foum Zguid as well……



So off we went to have a look around the village, and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves looking up possibly the longest set of steps we have ever seen in Morocco to get to the Mosque……



But we decided not to go up and followed the road passed this building plot which had the footings in place for a new building, but I didn’t like the look of those rather large rocks at the rear!……



While a bit further down the road and set back was this old disused building that looked very interesting in its shape......



Building material supplies……



While looking up we see the old and new of the village……



As we then spot this old lady starting to climb a hillside path with a bundle of palm leaves balanced on her head while a large piece of material full of ‘greens’ for animal feed was tied off around her shoulders!……



We continued along the roadway……



As I turned to look back I could still see the old lady slowly making her way up the track in the hillside, as steadily as a mountain goat and just as sure footed……



We came around a corner in the road and found ourselves by a large water tower and well. Make a mental note of the Blue Liquid Gas Bottle lying on its side towards the bottom left of the picture ……



The Water Pump for the well is driven by a pulley off the crankshaft of a 4 cylinder Renault Car Engine that has a long belt connecting it to a similar pulley on the water pump of the well.
While the car engine has a BIG Car Battery to start it up, the fuel that it runs on is not petrol but Propane Gas from that Blue Gas Cylinder!
The ‘Engine Ignition Key Switch’ is on that reddish metal upright just to the left of the engine......



As we then continue on and up the road to the houses at the top of the village……



They are very large houses……



This is the view as we climb the roadway, with the cultivated fields and river bed in clear view......





As we then enter the very old part of the village which is now uninhabited and falling down......



A very old door with a ‘Wooden Key’ operated door lock……









The view from the top of the old village……



As we commence our way back down to the pathway on the far side, you have to really pick your way down through all the rocks ……





We then pass by a lady who is laying out her laundry on a bed of dead Palm Leaves to let it dry……



While another Hand Operated Water Well comes into view……



New property with a rather ornate front door……



Time to head back to Foum Zguid……



As we get into town we see that the Pedestrian Crossing has received a new coat of paint, which was applied by hand with paint brushes!......



Then on our way back to the campsite this old Mercedes is overloaded with items for market……



Off to either Tazenakht or Ouarzazate tomorrow……

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 15 – Foum Zguid to Ouarzazate

Our trip today should have been OK as we were expecting 66% to be on tarmac road with a section of around 34% miles on decent ‘Piste’ which we had travelled in the opposite direction last year.

Well we got that wrong as around 85% was on ‘Piste’ and River Beds!
The trip took just on 7 HOURS while the ‘R109’ tarmac road is undergoing some major repairs after the Mountains ‘slipped’ onto the road in various places which meant numerous diversions off the road and going along the River Beds as there was no alternative ‘road’ to continue!……

Meanwhile as we came out of Foum Zguid, this is how you get a lift to school from your friend over here!,,,,,,



Cultivation is really growing over here as we are seeing more and more plastic cloches in a lot of the areas now…..



While every so far along the cloche areas is a ‘Man Made Pond’ to hold water for the growing……



Nice little sign which we called into to fill up with diesel and thought there was a campsite there, but it turns out that they offer Washing Services for Campers at just over £1 per camper! ……



Not sure if this was a lookout post or a Summer Hacienda!......



Start of the climb through the next village……







Still on a good part of the road as we get to the next village……



As we then get to the section of the road which was still good but starts to follow along the side of the Mountains and the River bed……



Then we get to this LARGE Yellow Sign which we think was advising everyone of the ‘Road Works’ as the ‘Piste’ commenced…….





First signposted ‘Diversion’……





The middle of the next picture is where the mountainside ‘slipped’ down……



As we continue driving along the River Bed!......







As we came up out of the River Bed we stopped so I could get a couple of pictures to show clearly the ‘problem’……



In line with the ‘Arrow’ in the previous picture as I then zoomed in you can see how the mountain side completely blocked the road……



Walking back to our outfit……



The next section of road was being widened, while a man with a red flag was controlling the traffic at our end we wondered how he communicated with the person at the other end as there was no sign of any radio, but we were waved through regardless!……



To the left of the white painted stones is the extra width of the new road……









Then a bit further along we see one of the Construction Machines high up carving out the new road......



Small diversion around a collapsed bridge that was never repaired or replaced from the storm in 2014……











The view looking back to that collapsed bridge……



While these rocks on the left don’t look to secure!......





More Rockslide across the road so off we go again on a diversion turning right again going down to the River Bed to continue!……







More Construction Machines carving out the new road, while the rocks that are being dug out are just dropped over the side……



This River Bed ‘detour’ has actually got some water in it!......









As we turn the bend to take us back to the road it was slightly uphill and like driving on sand……



Continuation & the next batch of pictures will be uploaded tomorrow!

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 15A – Foum Zguid to Ouarzazate Pt 2

As we crawled through the sand and up the little hill, it was turn right at the top and back on the ‘Piste’,,,,,,



As the next diversion was not long in appearing…..



This one was around a bridge that was actually being rebuilt……





Then a left turn as we make our way around a new ‘Wadi’ that is under construction ......





Climb out from that and it’s back on the ‘Piste’……



To another new ‘Wadi’ but we have to go around this as the Concrete has not set!......





And another one rolls into view shortly after!……



The driver of this Mechanical Digger kindly climbed onto the bank so we could safely pass by with a really nice wave as well which was returned!…….











As we then got to this section of ‘Piste’ that had been sprayed by a Water Bowser possibly to try and keep the dust down in the village that the road passed through......



The Water Bowser……



Taking home the collected ‘firewood’ and ‘animal feed’……



Crossing a rather sandy river bed as we went around another diversion……













While out in front of us were these rocks in the hillside whose colours looked like a rainbow!......



The rock crushing site of the road construction crew……



Think someone has called up the Reserves as this Bulldozer came along taking up the whole road!......



While at this point we had a reprieve with a short distance of nice tarmac two lane road……









A water supply pipe going over the road……





Extracting river bed sand to use for building construction......











Time for a short stop for a drink, some lunch and a comfort break……



Then it was back on the road as we came to another smashed bridge from the 2014 storm, as you get to use the alternative and drive around it......







The old part of the village……



Then very close by is the new part of the same village……



The road on the right and the river bed……







Then just after we passed this man and his moped……



The tarmac finished and we knew we had another 35 Miles of ‘Piste’ to go before we arrived at Ouarzazate……



Final section (Pt 3) to follow soon!
As the temperature drops to -3C here tonight!

Good night!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Morocco.
Winter 2016-2017

Stage 15B – Foum Zguid to Ouarzazate Pt 3

The final section of what we knew to be ‘Piste’but it was certainly worse than what we travelled over last year when we left Ouarzazate and went to Tazenakht as we made our way back up North……







The top surface of the ‘Piste’ unlike the tarmacadam had worn away possibly with traffic, wind and rain, which left a ‘Washboard’ surface which are small ‘ridges’ on the surface which if you go to fast, more than 10mph, over them you get vibrations throughout the car that are a bit like being shaken to death very quickly, so you end up going very slowly or trying to find a level path! ……











































In front of the mountain the valley and small hill looked like it had a green blanket over it……













A small Oasis….,,







We knew we were getting close to Ouarazate as this reservoir is not far outside the city and has more water in it this year……



Finally we get to see the city and the large number of parcels of land set up to attract businesses but so far have failed to do so……



As we then turn onto one of the main roads through the city and to the Municipal Campsite……











Phew! While the distance we travelled seemed a lot longer than it was, it was a heck of a run that after 7 hours we were glad to get to the end of……

Good night!

[ssicarman]

Some desolate looking country side you passed through on this section.