Zagora Pilgrimage
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| Canyon at Vallee de Draa |
Two months have been passed since my trip to Morocco in September. Hence, suffered from severe post-travel depression (PTD) and consequence, I have lost direction in my life. I guess most probably it is because this year is going to be my end year of my sweet 20s :(. However, I have finally decided to create herlostadventure.blogspot.my to empower me on my life path to have slightly better direction and purpose especially on traveling.
The main reason I traveled to Morocco because I have been invited by Masterpeace Morocco to attend their very first edition of African Youth Leadership Summit. A big thank you and congratulation to Masterpeace Morocco!
First time in Menara Airport Marrakesh, this country served me by its dramatic wonderful sunset and cool breeze air in the evening. It is a matter of fact that before this country changed its name to Morocco, it is known as Maghribi. Despite many good things in Morocco, however in this post I would like to highlight about Sahara Desert excursion experience. Morocco has the best traditional nomadic life style in the desert especially for Berber tribe. I chose Zagora Desert for my lost adventure in Morocco.
In Zagora province, Southeastern Morocco around seven hours traveled by a van from Marrakesh was not an easy journey. In the journey to Zagora desert, be prepared to experience the longest spinning road trip in Atlas mountain pass, Tizi n' Tichka. Along the road trip, I was fascinated by the range of Atlas mountains. I was alone getting myself on this tour followed by a group of travelers and most of them are couples from USA, Germany, Portugal, France, and Spain. I am the only Asian in the group.
We stopped buying bottles of water at the nearest town. It took around 6 minutes before we reached at the entrance of Zagora Desert. The van driver advised us to buy as much as bottles of water from here before the real desert excursion started. Water in the desert area is very precious. We got back into the van and drove to the entrance. It is actually does not have a real entrance to Zagora desert. Although it was a Berber man and three camels beside him waited for us at the side of the road. I separated from the group and joined with the Portugues couple. Three of us rode onto the back of the camels and started the journey to the Berber campsite in the middle of the desert. After one hour journey on the camel, we finally arrived at the Berber campsite. I have learned that dromedary camel is common species that lived in Sahara desert, North Africa. Usually, they have one hump on his back.
The journey on the back of dromedary camel was uncomfortable at first place. Even the hump was covered properly with rug and pillow but still it hurted my muscles. This is also because of the bumpy road and the quicksand made me feel even worst on his back. I hold the hand held very strong and pushed myself front a bit near with the hand held so that I do not feel very hurt when it moved. It was challenged me but I really had fun! The weather was very excellent, breezy air and we watched sunset on the desert before it was getting dark arrived at the Berber campsite.
It was great to have an amateur photographer that helped me to capture my moment while rode on the back of dromedary camel. The Berber man was really know how to find a very good angle and spot by captured our photos. It was an authentic experience rode on the back of dromedary camel and enjoyed the view of Sahara Desert. I have spent one night at the Berber campsite and I had famous Moroccan specialty chicken tajine and served with Berber whiskey for dinner. For those who unfamiliar with Berber whiskey, it is non-alcohol drink, it was a mixed drink of green tea and sugar.
At night, in the Berber campsite, there was a large bonfire. All the group of people were there and get together in the circle with the bonfire was in the middle. The Berber started singing and dancing played the drum. Oh! I also very lucky to witness a women from the other group been proposed by her boyfriend. And she said yes! It was very romatic night for some people. The sky was very crystal clear with no clouds above them. I was starring up to the sky and counting the stars. Deep in my heart said, I was blessed to be able to travel alone at this far, right to the Northern part of Africa continent.
These are the highlights from my first experience in the desert.
The main reason I traveled to Morocco because I have been invited by Masterpeace Morocco to attend their very first edition of African Youth Leadership Summit. A big thank you and congratulation to Masterpeace Morocco!
First time in Menara Airport Marrakesh, this country served me by its dramatic wonderful sunset and cool breeze air in the evening. It is a matter of fact that before this country changed its name to Morocco, it is known as Maghribi. Despite many good things in Morocco, however in this post I would like to highlight about Sahara Desert excursion experience. Morocco has the best traditional nomadic life style in the desert especially for Berber tribe. I chose Zagora Desert for my lost adventure in Morocco.
In Zagora province, Southeastern Morocco around seven hours traveled by a van from Marrakesh was not an easy journey. In the journey to Zagora desert, be prepared to experience the longest spinning road trip in Atlas mountain pass, Tizi n' Tichka. Along the road trip, I was fascinated by the range of Atlas mountains. I was alone getting myself on this tour followed by a group of travelers and most of them are couples from USA, Germany, Portugal, France, and Spain. I am the only Asian in the group.
We stopped buying bottles of water at the nearest town. It took around 6 minutes before we reached at the entrance of Zagora Desert. The van driver advised us to buy as much as bottles of water from here before the real desert excursion started. Water in the desert area is very precious. We got back into the van and drove to the entrance. It is actually does not have a real entrance to Zagora desert. Although it was a Berber man and three camels beside him waited for us at the side of the road. I separated from the group and joined with the Portugues couple. Three of us rode onto the back of the camels and started the journey to the Berber campsite in the middle of the desert. After one hour journey on the camel, we finally arrived at the Berber campsite. I have learned that dromedary camel is common species that lived in Sahara desert, North Africa. Usually, they have one hump on his back.
The journey on the back of dromedary camel was uncomfortable at first place. Even the hump was covered properly with rug and pillow but still it hurted my muscles. This is also because of the bumpy road and the quicksand made me feel even worst on his back. I hold the hand held very strong and pushed myself front a bit near with the hand held so that I do not feel very hurt when it moved. It was challenged me but I really had fun! The weather was very excellent, breezy air and we watched sunset on the desert before it was getting dark arrived at the Berber campsite.
It was great to have an amateur photographer that helped me to capture my moment while rode on the back of dromedary camel. The Berber man was really know how to find a very good angle and spot by captured our photos. It was an authentic experience rode on the back of dromedary camel and enjoyed the view of Sahara Desert. I have spent one night at the Berber campsite and I had famous Moroccan specialty chicken tajine and served with Berber whiskey for dinner. For those who unfamiliar with Berber whiskey, it is non-alcohol drink, it was a mixed drink of green tea and sugar.
At night, in the Berber campsite, there was a large bonfire. All the group of people were there and get together in the circle with the bonfire was in the middle. The Berber started singing and dancing played the drum. Oh! I also very lucky to witness a women from the other group been proposed by her boyfriend. And she said yes! It was very romatic night for some people. The sky was very crystal clear with no clouds above them. I was starring up to the sky and counting the stars. Deep in my heart said, I was blessed to be able to travel alone at this far, right to the Northern part of Africa continent.
These are the highlights from my first experience in the desert.
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| Tizi N' Tichka |
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| Sunrise View From Berber Nomad Campsite |
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| The Desert Pilgrimage |
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| The Berber Man |
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| On The Ride |
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| Morocco Dromedary Camel |
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