Day 10 - Dades Gorge to Marrakech

Well Sharen (me) hasn't yet seen the Grand Canyon so the Dades Gorge - Africa's answer to the Grand Canyon was ok by me, but today when we were offered a tour of Africa's answer to Hollywood - in the form of "Morroco Studio Cinemas" I thought it was best given a wide berth, despite all of the promising posters of Gladiator and Russell Crowe.

The day got better though with spectacular scenery crossing the High Atlas; villages built into the mountain side with only goat tracks leading in and out, a valley of roses,  terraced fields of just about anything that can be grown, the contrasting colors of the red earth, blue sky and green oasis and a windy, squiggly little switch back road that Greg would just love to fang the beast up.

It was a long but pretty incredibly scenic drive and then we arrive into Marrakech which is quite something else.  The Square is amazing.  The sound of everything going on hits you first; the sounds of traffic back in a city where the traffic is bedlam, African drums, the hawkers selling their wares and foods, the call to prayer being amplified from at least 4 mosques and of course the flute of the snake charmers.

Yes, I did end up with a tiny snake around my neck (note Greg hiding behind me in the photo!) and while I actually don't mind snakes, the sight of the cobra's lying nearby on the ground is a bit unsettling to say the least.