Walking in Todra Gorge

Last night and tonight we are staying at the Hotel Kasba Tabourihte.
I slept really well. We had a choice between two walks today a low level shorter walk or a climb to see Berber homes in the mountains. I wanted to do the later but was worried I wouldn't manage it because of the heat. So decided on the low walk. It was through irrigated land alongside the river where local families grew vegetables and fruit. Each family grows for themselves and then sells any surplus. We saw lots of cabbages, alfalfa, beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, olives and walnuts and almonds. We tasted fresh pomegranate straight from the tree.

There was a complex irrigation system of wooden and mud channels, raised in places by wooded or metal structures in order to keep it flowing. The water looked very clean and was running fast.

Our guide was informative and relaxed and good company.

There were homes and hotels on the other side of the river, some had had to be abandoned due to rock falls, over the years.

We stopped for a drink overlooking the huge bare red rock cliff's and spotted some climbers about one third of the way up. They still had a very long way to go.

Walking onwards the gorge narrowed to just the width of the river and road. It was very busy in this area with many buses and cars, and locals with stalls wanting to sell their qares to the tourists. Most of them were selling exactly the same things, tshirts, scarves and jewellery.

In the middle of it all there was a herd of cute black furry goats, completely ignoring the hustle and bustle.

We met the other group for lunch they had enjoyed their walk. The first half had been in the shade!
We had a tasty lunch of fava bean soup, this was by far the best we had tastes. We were given long wooden spoons to eat the soup with, which was quite difficult. This was
followed by Berber pizza, which was two thin layers of dough with what we thought was chicken, spice and some legumes in between. We also had an interesting dish of vermicelli, almonds, sultanas with a hint of salt and spice as well as a little icing sugar on top. It was light and the flavours subtle and we liked it.

The restaurant was family run and they supported a cooperative of hand carpet makers. We were shown a little about carpet making and then a display of different types of rugs that they made. They were in some very different styles and were very attractive, made from sheeps, goats or camel wool.
We made our escape as we didn't want to purchase anything.

Back at the hotel we had a nap and chilled out. James hadn't been out as he was feeling tired as he hadn't slept well for a few days.
It was nice to have a couple of hours to relax and catch up, as we are off in the morning.Read more