Definatley on the tourist trail lots of people trying to get us to go to thier accomodation. Held firm to our first choice, got a grand taxi (7 people in 1 car) to Merzouga. The place was more expensive than we thought we had our bags on our backs again before they gave us a good price. It was a really nice place outside our room were the dunes. Nothing but sun sand and camels. The room also had hot water and a heater we were spoiled. In the day we had a little look around town not much else Keeley still not feeling great.

Next morning lounged around until our afternoon camel trek into the desert. Keeley despite feeling ill got up on her camel just like everyone else. There were seven of us three Spanish, another English couple Paul and Jay and us. The camel ride was good fun if a little uncomfortable. The sand dunes got more spectacular as you got deeper into the desert. A little dissapointing that clouds were around for first time in a good week meaning no sunset picture. I still dutifully trudged up the highest dune it was worth it for the view over the dune sea. That night we slept in a very low Berber tent. We ate dinner with Paul and Jay tangine for the second night in a row. After dinner tried to go to sleep but the guides and the Spanish were smoking weed and playing the drums. It was not a rythum condusive to sleep and the occasional cries of 'Africa!' did not help. Eventually the drummond desisted and we went to sleep think it was about nine thirty.

Next morning very cold and it rained, we had rain in the Sahara. It did not last long and we did get to see a rainbow but still something not quite right about rain in the desert. Back at the hotel we had acquick breakfast and got a lift with Paul and Jay to Erfoud. In Erfoud we stopped at a fossil musuem some great stuff to buy but big and heavy contented ourselves with one small bowl. We also decided to stay with Paul and Jay until Er-rachidia we stoppped for a drink and then decided to stay with them until Skoura. We decided to stay in Skoura in a Kasbah. The Kasbah was a long way away from anything and the drive over the gravel for 4 kilometers reminded me of Namibia. Glad I was not driving the hire car. This was hands down the best accomodation we have stayed in in five months. We were staying in a castle several hundred years old. We had a tagine for dinner again the third night in a row no more tagine for me. We also had some nice red wine it was good to have a drink and sit aroud chatting. We Also got to sample some date wine very strong warmed your throat considerably, one draught was enough.

Next morning still in Paul and Jay's car meant to get off in Ouarzazate but somehow missed the bus station so onto Marrakesh. The journey over the mountians was spectacular and glad we did not miss it. We arrived in Marrakesh having had a lift half way across the country by Jay and Paul over two days we had originaly asked for a lift a mere 40 something kilometers very nice people.