Anne: Here we are wending our way up and down gentle dunes in the full sun. The gentleness of our surroundings was fleeting, however... who could have predicted that the wind would come up mid-dinner, resulting in a proliferation of sand? Neither our ears nor our water bottles nor sleeping bags were spared the onslaught. The next morning, nature's mood had calmed, and we went on our way, alternating between the awkwardness of camel riding and the exercise of walking in sand. All around us, the desert rolled endlessly on with its constantly changing shapes and colors -- an experience never to be forgotten.
Anne: Here we are wending our way up and down gentle dunes in the full sun. The gentleness of our surroundings was fleeting, however… who could have predicted that the wind would come up mid-dinner, resulting in a proliferation of sand? Neither our ears nor our water bottles nor sleeping bags were spared the onslaught. The next morning, nature’s mood had calmed, and we went on our way, alternating between the awkwardness of camel riding and the exercise of walking in sand. All around us, the desert rolled endlessly on with its constantly changing shapes and colors — an experience never to be forgotten.
Ian: After an exhilarating drive through Morocco's stark, otherworldly mountain passes, we descended into the spectacular Dades Gorge for a picnic lunch. Our timing couldn't have been better, for it was just then that a group of colorfully garbed Berber nomads wandered into view with camels, ponies, dogs, sheep goats, and all their worldly belongings in tow. It was a truly wonderful sight -- so rare in the 21st century -- and it was the highlight of our trip!
Ian: After an exhilarating drive through Morocco’s stark, otherworldly mountain passes, we descended into the spectacular Dades Gorge for a picnic lunch. Our timing couldn’t have been better, for it was just then that a group of colorfully garbed Berber nomads wandered into view with camels, ponies, dogs, sheep goats, and all their worldly belongings in tow. It was a truly wonderful sight — so rare in the 21st century — and it was one of the highlights of our trip!
Anne: In the High Atlas mountains, we experienced barren passes and verdant valleys in turn. Anywhere there is a natural source of water, people will find a way to eke out a living constructing square stone buildings with astonishing views of green fields and date palms.
Anne: In the High Atlas mountains, we experienced barren passes and verdant valleys in turn. Anywhere there is a natural source of water, people will find a way to eke out a living constructing square stone buildings with astonishing views of green fields and date palms.
Ian: After a winding drive through the orange walled Todra Gorge, we finally came upon the open and sunlit village of Tamtattouchte. Here, painted from a photograph taken that morning, is my interpretation of the bare-walled village nestled beneath majestically barren Atlas Mountains.
Ian: After a winding drive through the orange Todra Gorge, we finally came upon the open and sunlit village of Tamtattouchte, nestled beneath the majestically barren Atlas Mountains.

Paintings and text by 11-time WT adventurers Anne and Ian Gray, Morocco: Camels to Casbahs

 

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