When we woke up the next morning, I found the flies had bothered Emma so much that she just made a cocoon out of her blankets so she could sleep. I guess it was a choice between the flies or the heat.
Emma’s Cocoon
After breakfast, we piled back on the bus, well-stocked with water and snacks. We were supposed to be driving 350 km so we were prepared!
Driving the Curving Roads
We didn’t get too far when the windy roads started to take their affect. We kept swapping the seats – car sick kids had priority of certain seats on the bus. As soon as one child was starting to feel better we rotated them with the next child that was starting to feel sick.
Hannah and Cami Resting
We did get very experienced in asking the driver to stop for breaks now and again. Everyone would pile off the bus and breathe the fresh air for a little while. After everyone started feeling like themselves, there was some playing involved.
Throwing Rocks in the the Atlas Mountains
The roadside views were still pretty amazing; looking more and more barren as we went.
Somewhere in Atlas Mountains
Our first tourist attraction of the day was a date/palm plantation close to where our guide, Nourdinne, was from.
Closed Road-side Date Stand
We learned that within a plantation, there will be many farmers. Each farmer marks their trees/property by spray-painting different colors on their trees.
Date Plantation
Unripe Dates
As Nourdinne showed us how they scurry up the trees to pick the dates, it was pretty clear that his family has a background doing this.
Nourdinne Tossing Down Dates
On our way out of the plantation, we stopped at a young tree so Nourdinne could pick some palm branches. He told us he would make a “camel” for the kids. We weren’t quite sure what that meant.
Picking Palms
As we emerged from the plantation, we started to get the sense that we were really in Africa.
Middle of Atlas Mountains
Women Carrying Palm Leaves
The stop was a welcome break from the hot bus, as we geared up for loading up once again.
Caleb & Dallin
Hannah on the Bus
As we drove along, Nourdinne started making his ‘camels’. Soon he shared them with each of the kids. They were all very impressed!
Nourdinne’s Camel
Kids and Nourdinne with Camel Necklaces
Our lunch break was at a guest house where we were the only guests.
Dining Room
The kids enjoyed more kabobs while the adults enjoyed tangine.
Kids Enjoying Pool
An added perk was being able to let the kids swim in the guest house’s pool . . . for hours. It was a welcome respite.
Our last leg of the day was a couple hours further on. The landscape continued to change, as we got more and more into the desert.
At this point, we really felt we had arrived in the desert, but that would not be until the next day. This was just the countryside.
Riad for the Night
You can imagine the first thing we tested when we arrived at our riad was the air conditioning. Thankfully each room had a working unit – we were so thrilled! And WiFi – it seemed heavenly!!
More Eclectic Decorations
Looking into Riad Courtyard
Love these Moroccan Lanterns
Chris & Caleb’s Room – can you feel the air??
The kids were so thrilled to be off the bus and in air conditioning that they plopped down and whipped out the games.
Hannah, Madeleine, Cami, & Trevon
Dinner was outside in the fresh air of the courtyard.
Courtyard Dinner
It was amazing!
The best part of dinner was when the dessert was brought out – fresh melons! We had the best melons we’ve ever had while in Morocco – they were so flavorful! It was the perfect end to a great meal!
Watermelon/Honeydew
I’ve been missing my melon desserts (and afternoon ice cream). The pictures are making me hungry!