The old valley and the desert

Breakfast starts at 7 and we are leaving at 7.30. The only problem is that the guide was not there. So I went to the reception and the receptionist went to knock on the room of our guide. He was still asleep.
After 30 minutes we stop at the valle de dades. It's always interesting to see green places in the desert. Of course instantly there are children that want to give you their art and then want to get some money. Obviously you shouldn't support it because otherwise they will never go to school, but not everyone understands this concept (although the guide could have advised before). We continued to the old village in front of the gargantas del todra. A guide explains to us their agriculture system and then we do the obvious carpet stop. Of course everything is handmade (proven by a woman, again something that only women can do in this country, that worked for 3 minutes on a carpet) and made out of local wool. One carpet costs between 200 and 400 euros and takes 3 hours per day for 3 months. For me, this math is not mathematicating, so either it's way quicker with a machine or they just buy them from somewhere else or every woman in this village produces carpets and doesn't get paid.
After the lunch stop at a buffet we head towards the Sahara and the tourist-turban stop cannot miss.
We get on camels and started riding into the desert. We see some guys on motorbikes in the desert and i would be lying if id say i was not jealous.
Compared to a horse, camels move quite a bit, but it's actually easier when you let loose and don't cramp into the saddle. On the way to the desert camp the sun starts to set, which results in a beautiful scenery in the dunes. Upon arrival in the camp we can try out some sandboarding and bring our stuff to the tents. The dinner is another tajine. After the dinner there is bonfire and the guys working in the camp try their best to motivate the tourists to dance. After a while at the fire we take a walk trough the dunes that are still surprisingly warm. It is full moon. The good thing is you don't need a flashlights but the bad thing is there are not too many stars to be seen for that reason. But the temperature is so pleasant that you can just lay down in the sand and look at the sky. After a while we go to the tent (a 5 person tent that we have for us) and collect 5 blankets in one bed. A good decision as it turns out the next morning.Read more