October 8 On the bus to Agadir

Yesterday I had met a taxi driver that would take me to Ait Ben Haddou (belonging to, son of, the chief). He started at 300 dirham, $40, but as I was still unsure he dropped to 200, $26. Good deal! So today he took me to the site. An 11 century Berber kasbah (city) that is now an UNESCO Heritage site. It is a city built up on a hill with lots of little streets. The city is completely built of mud bricks. There is not much rain here. It is not really desert, just a valley between the 2 mountain ranges. Very nice except there are too many shops! Some beautiful paintings and rugs and silver.... but 'no

shopping'! Interesting as the river that is close is salty as there is a salt mine upstream. They get their water from another source. There is still 8 families living in the old city.
I had coffee while waiting for the driver to show. I am enjoying the real coffee.

I then had him drop me at the studios. The old one, as he said the new one is not for visitors. This is the Atlas Corp studio. There have been many films made here from all over the world. He said the latest Ben Hur, out of Vancouver was filmed

here. He showed us the slave market set from Ben Hur but the same set was used in Cleopatra. Also James Bond, season 3 of Game of Thrones filmed here. Saw props including a jet from Jewel of the Nile, and the chariots from Gladiator. The chariots are iron! The sets actually look very small. The guide said that there were about 20 people on set for 1 movie yet in the movie it looked like 100s! There was filming going on for an English company, another Cleopatra for TV.

I headed to the road to catch the bus and 2 guys from France, working in Geneva picked me up and gave me a ride into town. Very nice.

As I had not had lunch I went to the bake shop across the street. I had a coconut slice, dipped in chocolate and a coffee. Very good, all for 12 dirham,$1.50. A very good lunch!

I had planned on catching a shared taxi but the hotel reception guy said that was difficult as not many people go to Agadir. I could pay 1200 dirham, $150 and get a private taxi, but instead I will be on a night bus for 170 dirham. Public transport is very cheap here.


October 7 Ouarzazate Morocco

I must have been tired! Slept in until 8 am! Maybe all that walking caught up with me.
Up and off for breakfast! 3 coffee morning. The guys in hotel restaurant just smile! Great coffee again and I am going to enjoy and they can also make a 'cafe alloughe', which is a long/large coffee and really is an americano! Very good. Breakfast was excellent as well. Eggs, cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes and of course olives!

I headed off and stopped at travel agency to get a way to Ait Ben Haddou. But 1300 didrham ($200) is just too much. I continue on to visit the kasbah. Great building and just a maze of rooms and stairs. There even is a ventilation system by having vents in some walls that can be closed off. A real draft coming through!

Then across the street to the Cinema Museum. Amazing that many films have been made in this area. Most famous is Lawrence of Arabia but also Sahara, The Mummy and Gladiator. This museum has many sets for Christian movies. This is interesting as the country is 90% Muslim. There are also some Egyptian sets.

Had lunch in a small little place in a huge square. There is hardly anyone around! But in the evening the square is packed. Lots of little stalls with various items for sale, popcorn being the most popular. There is also several guys selling rides on the battery operated cars. The kids are loving it.

Then I headed off to 1 of the studios that is just out of town, 4 km. This is according to the Tourist Information office. I walk. After sitting most of yesterday I need the exercise and it should only take an hour. Well after an hour I find the Atlas Studio but I was told that the new

one is better but I can not find it. I find it when I get back using Google map! It was just over the next hill! Since I could not find it I caught the bus back to town and went for coffee. The bus was 3 dirham, about 5 cents. I will get to the studio tomorrow!

Dinner at a 1 of the rotisserie chicken places. They are all over and I have yet to try. The 2 young guys were falling all over themselves to help me. Quite funny. I ordered chicken and just hoped that I did not get the whole chicken. I did only get half and that was more than enough. It was excellent. I don't know what they are using for spices but is great. They seem to use a lot of cumin and paprika.
Short walk, more ice cream and enough for today.