Pulled ourselves reluctantly away from the desert this morning, only to drive through a different kind of desert …the flat black hammada.
There were a few camels roaming loose around the roads. Most of them looked quite old – I wonder if they just set them free once they’re too old to carry people around.
We arrived at the huge crater-like film location that is Gara Medouar after following a very long gravel track. Seems to be a favourite with bikers and jeepsters. Apparently, it’s not really a crater but a strange circular erosion where ‘The Mummy’ and ‘Spectre’ were filmed.
The whole of this area is loaded with fossils and we passed many shacks selling them along the way.
After driving inside, we walked up the path to the top for an amazing view of the terrain all around, then got accosted by a salesman. He showed us some fossils still in the ground and a huge plastic rock used on the latest film set.
We had planned to stay overnight to get some star photos, but it was hot and dusty and we’d have been bored by 2pm. Decided to move on to Tinghir knowing it would be a long drive and it sure was!
Constantly changing scenery for much of the way kept us happy but once we got to Tinghir, we seemed to be on a very bad back road around the edge of town. Stunning views of the lush green palmeries and the local dress for women was very interesting, seeming to consist of a big piece of polyester lace curtain tied over one shoulder.
As we neared our parking spot with no sign of the gorge entrance, the driver realised that the navigator had brought us up the wrong side of the gorge 😮🤣
Back down we went, then up the other side. Possibly the most dramatic gorge we’ve ever driven through. Cutting through the High Atlas, the rock walls are impossibly tall and there’s really only just room for the road and a small stream between them. That doesn’t stop the local salesmen hanging up their rugs and robes all along the sides of the rocks. There’s a nice atmosphere though, with lots of families wandering round and picnicking by the water.
