Day 2 - Marrakesh to Zagora through the Atlas Mountains

We left Marrakesh early, and set out for the drive south-east over the High Atlas (see map. The countryside started off with quite a lot of green patches and trees lining the road, but quickly got more rugged, with gaunt hillsides and deep ravines. We climbed up to the Tizi'n'tichka pass, the highest road in Morocco. We had a number of small stops for pictures, mint tea and so on. The first major stop was the Kasbah (castle) of Telouet, which was the main power centre of the Glaoui family, who were the main Lords of the Atlas. Their history is described vividly in the book of that name by Gavin Maxwell, who grew up in Morocco - it is well worth reading before you go to get you into the atmosphere of pre-independence Morocco.

Tiles on the main staircase of the Hotel Ali	View of the Demma El Fna Square in the early morning - this is where it all happens!
The terrace at the Hotel Ali - a grey day but good for travelling.	View from our bedroom at dawn
Street scene - donkey, motorbike and palms	Loading up the 4 x 4s (Land Rover Defenders). They were excellent at coping with a wide variety of conditions from soft sand in the desert to very steep dirt roads in the mountains. All the luggage goes on the roof of one vehicle, which accounts for the 12 kg. per person limit on luggage weight
Near Marrakesh there are trees by the road	- and quite a lot of green areas either side
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