Day 12 - The Todra Gorge and surrounds

Today was an active day.

We went for a long walk up and around the gorge.  The landscape was a lot like you'd see in outback Australia, but for the Berber goat herders (useful for pointing you in the right direction), Berber encampments and snow-capped mountains in the distance.  Actually, upon reflection it may not have been so much like outback Australia.

The view really were outstanding.   Our walk took us up over a number of escarpments before we eventually made our way through the back of a village, winding our way through alleyways to the main road before striking out for Tenerhir, some 15 km away.

Our wanderings took us past crops and palmeries that took advantage of streams that ran through the valleys.  It was all very pleasant but we were still glad when an outstretched thumb drew the attention of a French couple in a rented 4WD.  Thus the last few kilometres to Tenerhir were completed in style.

Tenerhir is quite a nice town compared to others of its size.  We drank mint tea in outside cafes, chatted with the locals and politely but firmly turned down offers to purchase carpets.  However the main reason we had headed back down into town was to stock up on cash.  We were about to head up into the mountains, and did not anticipate seeing an ATM, much less a bank for the next few days.  In the end we ended up with in excess of 2000 dirham secreted about ourselves, made up for the most part 20, 50 and 100 dirham notes.

We made our way back to the hotel squeezed into the back of the now familiar grande taxi.  I suspect we had the hotel to ourselves that night.  We ate in the attached restaurant - the only diners - and after hovering for a while the waiter joined us for a chat.  With his help we were able to figure out how we were going to get ourselves up into the mountains.