DOWN AGAIN…………
If you are joining one of our early 2015 Moroccan Tours, or perhaps heading that way solo there's even more good news.
If you are joining one of our early 2015 Moroccan Tours, or perhaps heading that way solo there's even more good news.
The price of oil products in Morocco, namely diesel oil and premium gasoline, has as of 1st Feb
fallen yet again. The price of
diesel oil has dropped another 15 cents per litre, settling at around 7.88
MAD/litre, while the price of premium gasoline fell by 7 cents per litre to
reach 8.91 MAD/litre. I think that in real money it converts at .... 0.70 euro [52.44 pound] litre for diesel and 0.82 [61.43 pound] per litre for unleaded.
SIMPLY STUNNING……………………
For many the highlight of
our tours would be the nights spent at the Dunes of Erg Chebbie, Merzouga. Many
think they have visited the Dunes, few have……. Most Motorhome Owners park in
the few distant campsites and then either trek or hire a 4x4 to reach the
dunes. Desert Detours are the ONLY organization to actually stay and camp at
the dunes, reached by a web of firm piste type tracks. This month, to continue with our video tour of
Morocco, take a look. As we say, simply stunning………. Better still why not join
us!THERE’S ON OLD MOROCCAN PROVERB……..
I have to be honest and
say that I can’t remember the weather being as miserable as it is now. As I
write this parts of the UK are carpeted in snow while most of it freezes. At
our yard/office/home atop of a sierra in the south of Spain the overloaded
log-burners are boldly fight back the abysmal chill. Most of Northern Europe it
would seem is both cold and wet. Little wonder then that many Motorhome owners have
the maps out, unplugging the umbilical and heading for warmer climates…….they
hope!
Morocco continues to be
the preferred destination for winter sun seekers, snowbirds I think they’re
affectionately called, who are also looking for a change in culture and
customs.
Morocco suffered
the worst rain on record late November cutting off much of the south through
damaged info-structure. Repairs have been swift so any travelers should now
suffer nothing more than minor delays due to road and construction work.
Fortunately both our
November and December
tours “Straddled” the terrible weather enjoying instead the expected warm
climate, as have our January client group who have just returned to mainland
Europe.
If you are heading to
Morocco during February do just take a few precautions and seek advice before
heading into the more remote regions…… although I know most “Snowbirds” tend to
hang along the southern coastal areas.
Stung and mindful of their lack of response and preparation to an earlier severe weather snap the Moroccan authorities are taking no chances this time to a sudden onset of extreme cold in the central and high regions and have mobilised resources …….. Around 5,000 people, including physicians, nurses and state and local authority’s agents have been marshalled as part of this operation.
On Sunday two field hospitals staffed by the Royal Armed Forces have been set up in the central provinces of Azilal (M'semir rural commune) and Tinghir (Ouaouizeght rural commune). In addition, the Health Ministry established a mobile hospital in the province of Midelt (Boumia rural commune). Nine helicopters, seven belonging to the Royal Gendarmerie and two from the Health Ministry have been placed on standby to support intervention teams in emergency evacuations and for airlifting foodstuffs to landlocked villages.
The Interior Ministry has also deployed 757 ambulances provided by the Health Ministry, the civil rescue department and local authorities, it said, adding that 142 health centres will be operational to receive patients from cold wave-struck villages.
As staff, back in the warm office, posts this blog entry our February Tour Group will be well on their way heading towards even warmer desert region…….a report next issue if necessary.
OH NO, NOT ANOTHER PARTY…………..
Well it’s not the latest holiday to be celebrated actually, but being Morocco and Muslin there is the usual confusion attached. Whilst some say that the celebration [Amazigh New Year 2965] will be on January 24th Hamid Chabat, Secretary General of the Istiqlal, an opposition party, has reportedly proclaimed January 13, which marks the Amazigh New Year, a paid holiday for the workers of the Istiqlal Party………..Although this day has not yet been recognized as a national holiday, Moroccan Amazigh never miss this occasion to celebrate and exchange wishes and prayers during this day.
Unlike the Christian and Islamic calendar, the Amazigh calendar does not correlate with any religious event, but triggers off of an historic event: the anniversary of the victory of the Amazigh leader Shashank I in the reign of Ramses II over the Pharaohs, and the unification of Libya with Egypt and the Levant. Since that time [measured as 950 BC in the Christian calendar], the Amazigh people have celebrated annually the triumph of Shashank, the founder of the 22nd Family in the reign of Ramses II.
The Amazigh New Year's Eve corresponds
also to the eve of the Agricultural Year in North Africa, a calendar adopted by
farmers to determine when they can cultivate their fields according to defined
periods.
Although
perhaps not as widely celebrated as it should be the celebrations, when you can
find them, provide an opportunity for those seeking knowledge and understanding
of the Berber culture and to discover traditional live Amazigh music and dance,
from different regions of North Africa, and features an exhibition table
demonstrating the close relations of the Amazigh community from its home land,
Tamazgha, Morocco.Under different names, Yennayer is celebrated by both Arab and Amazigh speaking communities. The Arab speaking community in old cities referred to this traditional event as “Haguza” or “Aam Alfilahi” (the Agrarian year). The Amazigh people, especially those who live in the south east of Morocco, call it “Id Suggas” [night of the year]. “Id Suggas” is a very traditional festivity on the Eve of the Amazigh New Year.
MORE THAN JUST
FISH……
Those who have toured with Desert Detours will know that Essaouira is my favorite Moroccan town more than that it have an ancestral family connection…….but there’s yet another long story!
The paper says that Essaouira, known for its Gnaoua festival, retains the sort of laid-back charm that lured the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens in the Sixties. I would say explore the alleyways, byways and hidden market areas, browse the art and craft shops and just “people watch” on the terrace of one of the excellent cafes in the main square…….. Of course a meal in one of the many outstanding restaurants is a must.
Unfortunately the availability of formal camping is very much in
question. As I write the only campsite, already much reduced in size, is in
imminent danger of closing completely.
On researching this short piece I noted that a new direct EasyJet route
will open access to Essaouira from Luton starting May
1, 2015. Now there’s a perfect short break option……Romantic even!
TAXI!.........................
Some would say that the
vast amount of funds being made available for the upgrade of the infamous
Moroccan taxi could be better spent on much needed social projects….however.
The Moroccan government has
just announced that it will allocate 3.6 Billion Dhm to a program aimed at “supporting
the renewal of grand taxis”. The Program of
the renewal of grand taxis, which is optional, will grant Dhm to 80,000 to
Grand Taxi owners enabling them to replace their old taxis.
There
are approximately 55,000 grand taxis, also known as white taxis, offering
transportation services all over Morocco. Casablanca alone has about 6,500.
Most of
the taxis are the Mercedes 240 Diesel model and are more than 30 years old.
These are well past their “expiration date,” but are still roaming the streets
of Morocco, uncomfortably carrying six passengers plus the driver at one time.
I have seen as many as 14 persons in a vehicle……honestly!
A similar
program that was devoted to the smaller “Petit” taxis in 2010 and benefited
around 6,000 owners………Not that you would notice.
A stroll down any city street
or village for that matter in Morocco and you can’t fail to notice the number
of Pharmacies/Chemists……….almost as many as Mobile phone shops and Banks!!
Wherever they are located
you will find that almost without exception they are well lit, well stocked and
managed by extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff. In the larger premises
you are able to find almost any “Branded” drug you could wish for at a fraction
of European prices. Medicines and drugs normally available on prescription only
in Europe can be purchased over the counter …………….
The health ministry
announced on Friday the lowering of the prices of 98 drugs as part of its
policy of reducing medicine price to make it more accessible to citizens and
alleviate the expenses of health insurance.
After decreasing the prices of nearly 1,600 drugs in 2014, the ministry will lower in 2015 the prices of a further 98 drugs, said a statement by the ministry.
This drop concerns drugs for chronic diseases as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, some neurological diseases, some inflammatory and infectious diseases, some cancers and benign prostatic hypertrophy, it said.
After decreasing the prices of nearly 1,600 drugs in 2014, the ministry will lower in 2015 the prices of a further 98 drugs, said a statement by the ministry.
This drop concerns drugs for chronic diseases as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, some neurological diseases, some inflammatory and infectious diseases, some cancers and benign prostatic hypertrophy, it said.
The point of this little
piece is obvious. If you are on some sort of expensive drug and need to
top-up while visiting Morocco or feel the need to perhaps stock-up it has just
got even cheaper ……………..
ONE FOR THE VEGE ………………
Most
people in Morocco have a diet that is protein heavy with vegetables being a
second thought
It
doesn’t have to be the case and many Moroccans are now enjoying the abundance
of fresh vegetable produce as never before……Potatoes, carrots, shallots,
turnips and tomatoes simmer along with fresh herbs, spices and preserved lemon.
Eggs cracked into the pot poach right in the stew.
Give this simple dish a try vegetable Tagine with
Poached Eggs and Herbs.
Total
Time: 40
minutes and serves: 4
½ tablespoon kosher salt,
plus more to taste
½ tablespoon sweet paprika
½ tablespoon ground
coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground white
pepper
½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
¼ cup olive oil, plus more
for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped
garlic
2 cups canned diced
tomatoes, with juice
6 tablespoons tomato purée
⅓ Cup tomato paste
9 small potatoes, cut into
3-by-1-inch pieces
3 medium carrots cut into
3-by-1-inch pieces
2 medium turnips cut into
3-by-1-inch pieces
4 small shallots, halved
lengthwise
3 tablespoons finely
chopped flat-leaf parsley
1½ tablespoons finely
chopped cilantro
2 cups water
¼ cup diced preserved lemon
peel
4 eggs
Finely chopped chives, for
garnish
Freshly ground black pepper
Half of lemon
1. In a small bowl combine
salt, paprika, coriander, cumin, white pepper and Aleppo pepper. Heat ¼ cup oil
in a lidded large pot over high heat. Sauté garlic, canned tomatoes and tomato
purée and paste with spice mixture until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
2. Add potatoes, carrots,
turnips, shallots, half of parsley, cilantro and 2 cups water to pot and bring
to a simmer. Cook until vegetables soften and sauce thickens, 20 minutes. Stir
in preserved lemon, cover pot and simmer until flavors meld, about 7 minutes.
3. Crack eggs over top of
stew, spacing them out evenly across the surface. Reduce heat to medium, cover
pot and poach eggs until whites set but yolks remain runny, 5 minutes. Sprinkle
with remaining parsley, chives, salt and pepper.
4. To serve, ladle stew into
4 serving bowls and top each with a poached egg. Drizzle with olive oil and a
squeeze of lemon.
How simple was that……………….
Marrakech, as a global
tourist destination, needs no definition or presentation. It attracts people
from all over the world who want to see the many beautiful tourist attractions
and sites around the city, especially the wonderful Jemaah al Fna square, which
brings together millions of people from different cultures, civilizations, and
origins every year.
However,
Marrakech also has great appeal by virtue of being surrounded by beautiful
towns and villages, where life becomes simple, natural and joyful. Outside of
Marrakech lie the villages of Oukaïmeden, Cité Fadma, Ourika, and Moulay
Brahim, which attract numerous visitors from abroad and from other Moroccan
cities.
To
start with, Oukaïmeden is a ski resort in the Atlas Mountains to the south east
of Marrakech, at an altitude of between 2,600 and 3,270 meters. It is located
about 70 km from the center of Marrakech, off the road through the Ourika
Valley. The high mountains of Oukaïmeden can be seen from everywhere in
Marrakech, covered with thick white snow, which remains on the mountain caps
until July. During a visit, all sorts of snow games and sports are available.
Visitors cannot help but enjoy their time there, throwing snow balls, building
snowmen and snow animals, and skiing amid the high snow-capped mountains.
The
traditional houses of the local inhabitants, who are very hospitable, are
scattered on the other side of the high mountains. Although the local people
cope with the cold and sometimes harsh living conditions, they find life worth
living as one can see by the beaming smiles on their faces.
A taxi
from Marrakech to Oukaïmeden costs around 10 Euros. It is wise to
avoid the weekend traffic jams. Other means of transportation include buses,
minibuses, rental cars, and motorcycles. Once at Oukaïmeden, visitors can
choose to go from one place to another by mule for about 2 Euros. Hotels,
restaurants, and cafés are all available here featuring fine living
accommodations and good traditional food and drink.
Besides
Oukaïmeden, the villages of Cité Fadma, Moulay Brahim, and the Valley of Ourika
fascinate visitors who look forward to living, if just for a moment, the simple
life.
Cité
Fadma is located about 30 km from Marrakech in Ourika Valley. In Cité Fadma,
visitors can climb the mountain, and walk barefoot, to reach its seven
waterfalls. On the way up, visitors pass by several traditional restaurants,
where they can bargain with owners over the price of lunch or a snack. In
Ourika Valley, Berber carpet weavers exhibit their traditional colorful carpets
in an open space. Visitors who head to Cité Fadma or Oukaïmeden stop frequently
at Ourika Valley, to see the weaving in process and possibly to purchase a
carpet, and to take pictures.
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