4th November, 2008

Article & Website editor: Leah Schabas (Yr 13)

Photos: Mr T Waterson (Geography Dept.)

The dromedary ride...

In stark contrast to last year’s Geography trip to the glaciers of Iceland, fourteen students in Yrs 11 to 13 and two members of the Geography Department, travelled to the deserts of Morocco during half term .

At the Bahia Palace

The group flew to Marrakech , where they visited the Menara Pavilion and the spectacular Kouroubia Mosque Minaret before heading off for some serious shopping (or rather haggling!) in the city’s endless souks . The next couple of days were spent driving across the Atlas Mountains to reach the desert, with stops en route to see the Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Valley of the Roses and the Todra Gorge .

Todra Gorge

The highlight of the trip was, of course, the Sahara desert . The first night was spent at the Auberge D’Or, a remote hotel spectacularly situated in the shadow of the Great Dunes of Erg Chebbi . After a day of relaxing by the pool, the group rode on dromedary camels further into the Sahara, led by Berber guides, and camped out in the dunes. This memorable night in the desert was filled with storytelling around the camp fire, a delicious traditional tagine dinner and some breathtaking stargazing.

Thank you to Miss Lane for organising such an incredible trip!

The Atlas Mountains

Lunch in a Berber tent