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Welcome to todays diary entry! As usual the Friday feeling was bubbling under the surface so as soon as work was finished we jumped straight into a taxi in what feels a little bit like a routine now but I will go through that a bit later on. We have now officially entered our last week at Camping Atlantica Parc Imourane! Well until October/ November this year but certainly for this stint we are moving away. I would have absolutely no hesitation in coming back here again for another 3 or 4 months. Unless something drastic changes and we experience something incredible on our travels but for now i cannot see that changing!
What I am going to do over the next few days is give you a little bit of detail about some of the places we are going to visit on our little road trip, our first recognisable stop is a place called Ait Benhaddou.
Ait Benhaddou is one of those places that feels like you’ve stepped into a time machine and landed smack in the middle of a historical epic. Nestled on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, this ancient mud-brick city is more than just easy on the eyes; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed to the brim with history, culture, and cinematic allure.
First off, Ait Benhaddou is old—like, really old. We’re talking about a trading post that dates back to the 11th century. Imagine merchants trekking across the Sahara, camels laden with goods, stopping here on their way to the bustling souks of Marrakech or beyond. This place was the equivalent of a medieval motorway service station, albeit with more spices and less petrol.
The city is famous for its kasbahs, which are essentially forts or castles made from earthen clay. These structures have withstood the test of time, thanks to the local know-how in earthen construction techniques. It’s like they figured out the ultimate recipe for mud pies and turned it into an architectural masterpiece.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Sure, it looks good in daylight, but what else?” Well, Ait Benhaddou has a flashy side to it as well. It’s a Hollywood darling, having played backdrop to a slew of blockbuster movies and TV shows. Ever watched ‘Gladiator’ or ‘Game of Thrones’? Parts of these were filmed right here. Walking through its alleys, you might just feel the urge to don a sword and proclaim yourself king of the Andals and the First Men.
Despite its star-studded resume, Ait Benhaddou remains a living community. While many have moved to more modern accommodations nearby, a handful of families continue to live within the ancient city, preserving traditions that have been passed down through generations. It’s a living museum, where the line between the past and the present blurs beautifully.
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When i finished work i went and got a taxi into Agadir for the usual weekly Uni Prix stop and as were cooking for everyone tomorrow we need to stop off at the French Meat Market to get some chicken in for the curry. Over time this trip to Uni Prix has developed from a quick in and out to 2 hour stop as we nip into the Uni Prix and then across the road to the French market and then try and get that dusted off as quick as we can so we can have an hour or so in the restaurant/ bar at the bottom of the road. The only problem being that i end up getting into party mode and tucking in to my party beers.
One thing with Morocco is that it is a country of quite vast spectrums and that is no more noticeable in Agadir. Whilst we were in there having a drink a young lad 13 or 14 came and asked us if we wanted to get our shoes cleaned 99.99% of the time id say no but for some reason i decided to get Darran’s shoes cleaned for a laugh as much as anything else it cost 15dhm which is essentially £1.20 so i gave him 20dhm (£1.60). In the end i ended up getting my trainers done as well picture above and whilst he was doing it i imagined what his life must be like to have to do that at the age he was. Made me a little upset in the end. I ended up giving another 50dhm and you should have seen the look on his face. He almost looked like he was going to cry. I have experienced times in my life when i have had absolutely nothing and for us to be comfortable now i just wanted to do a little something. A random act of kindness to make a difference to someones day. However he did an incredible job on the shoes as well.
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