Source Bleu Meski

Nice parking spot
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We drove today from the Cedar forest to a small town called Meski. The drive was over a mountain pass past some spectacular countryside – it seems every few hundred kilometres the landscape in Morocco changes dramatically.

We camped at the ‘Source Bleu’ which is a beautiful campsite in an oasis. The campsite was idyllic with palm trees everywhere and a natural swimming pool (complete with fish) fed from the spring (or source).

we were invited in for ‘hospitality’ (mint tea) in one of the shops

Kasbah
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Meski is the home of the two local guides on our tour, Hassan and Hamid, and within the campsite were the shops of some of their family. The downside of the campsite were the many children ‘hassling’ you for money, sweets, pens etc – or trying to sell you camels made from palm fronds.

While we expect this hassle on the streets and towns we did not expect it on our campsite. Also, we were invited in for ‘hospitality’ (mint tea) in one of the shops owned by the family of our guide, Hamid. The tea was lovely and we all played the Jamba, a big bongo drum – but then the pressure was on to buy one. Again, this is OK and expected in the towns but not from someone who is supposed to be your guide!

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While in Meski we toured the old Kasbah which is no longer inhabited. It was deserted around 30 years ago and is now very much a crumbling mess. The construction in this part of Morocco is rock walls held together by a straw/mud cement. This ‘cement’ does not stand the test of time as you can see from the pictures! The tour was very interesting and the Kasbah and its surrounds quite spectacular.

We ate in a restaurant owned by Hamid’s family in which the food was very good. We were also entertained one night by ‘Mahloud’ who is a famous berber musician. He played the drums and guitar along with several others and was very good!

Oasis in the desert
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Everyone seemed to love the kids in this part of Morocco so Jay and Ella had a great time playing and talking to people.

Dave.