Summary: To get from Fes to the Western Sahara, we knew we would have to put in some serious hours in the car. We broke up the 7-hour drive with some stops, including visiting the endangered Barbary Macaques. As will be revealed in our next blog, the drive is well worth it, even if we had some bad luck getting side-swiped by what had to be the only drunk driver in this predominately Muslim country. After arriving to our luxury tent camp in Erg Chebbi, we were treated to a Berber-style New Year's celebration we'll never forget.
[This blog is part of a 10-days in Morocco Trip].
Ifrane. Today was an all-day, 7-hour voyage in the car from Fes to Erg Chebbi, the edge of the Sahara desert. To break up the drive we made a couple brief stops along the way, including to get coffee in the town of Ifrane. The modern portion of this resort town was established by the French in the 1920s and resembles much of Europe. Since it was not representative of the rest of the area, we didn't even think of taking photos.
Barbary Macaques. Residing in the Atlas Mountains are the endangered Barbary Macaques. Unfortunately they don't seem to be very protected as visitors can watch groups of them in the "wild," only meters from the road. They are fun to watch of course, but we couldn't help but notice how easy it was for tourists to abuse the situation by introducing foreign foods. We did love their little grumpy expressions though.
Celebrating New Year's Eve with Some Irony. We're not exactly big drinkers but we do enjoy alcoholic beverages from time to time, especially on vacation. Morocco is a primarily Islamic country so basically we were "dry," the whole trip except for two occasions, the first being New Year's Eve. In what felt a little like a covert operation, our driver found a store in a town along the way, where we could buy some wine to bring in the New Year. Leaving the store with a brown bag and placing the bottle underneath our luggage, added to the feeling of a clandestine operation.
Car crash. With the bottle safely tucked a way in the back of the car, it being the first alcohol of the trip, we managed to get hit by the what had to be the only drunk driver in Morocco. It was just after dark as we were arriving in our tent camp in Erg Chebbi, at the western edge of the Sahara desert, when we were side swiped by an oncoming swerving car. Luckily, nobody was hurt and the car could be fixed over the next two days we were in Erg Chebbi but geez, what are the odds?
Erg Chebbi Camp - Western Sahara. In the winter, the desert can be cold at night. Our tent camp, which was really just glamping taken to a whole new level of awesome, supplied us with Moroccan coats to stay warm. Inside our tents were full beds and even a flushing toilet. So not exactly roughing it! The camp itself was decorated for New Year's Eve festivities.
After Dinner Music. As we waited to bring in the New Year, all of the guides got together and played guests music around the camp fire.
It was definitely a memorable New Years celebration. You may even want to book your trip exactly this way. It sure beat anything we could have planned.
A nearby similar campground even lit off fireworks.
What wasn't exactly a great day (many hours, sad little Barbary Macaques, and a car crash), ended with a wonderful, Berber themed campfire celebration. Happy New Year!
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