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19 Dec 2000 to 2 Jan 2001.
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Oranges are traditional for Christmas
Nearly all the main streets in Marrakech have orange trees.
This Christmas has guided tours
Guide, Haj m'Barak, outside the mosque in Marrakech.
High-pressure carpet sales
Everyone needs to see carpet selling once. But once is plenty!
Souvenirs
Being dressed-up by the shop assistants is OK, but be sure you are not being billed for the photo-opportunities.
Perfumes and oils
These are more interesting than the carpets. Again, once is enough.
Cafe Argana
There are some places of which one never tires. Coffee and petits fours at the Cafe Argana, while the sun sets over the Djemaa al'Fna.
Crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass
From Marrakech, the good weather lies to the South of the Atlas Mountains. Getting there is not necessarily easy.
At the other side
Beyond the Atlas Mountains, the weather was good.
Villages in Morocco have some most attractive settings.
Caves in cliffs
The layered cliffs have created useful caves.
Dades Gorge
By the roadside where the gorge begins to open-up.
Christmas Day
Father Christmas does visit Morocco, but the presents arrive near the swimming pool.
Sand dunes
After Christmas, walking along the dunes is pleasant.
Sand storm
Sandstorms can be an interesting experience when you have only ever met them in books.
...and more sand storm
The locals have seen it all before.
Finally, a bow from our crew
Drivers Aziz and Omar, with guide Abdul. Many thanks to them!
Maria Berrada
All local organisation was very well handled through Maria's tour company.
Extra Web pages
View diary of a previous visit to Morocco - Trekking through the Jebel Sahro
Valleys South of Marrakech - Rambler's Marrakech tour
Dades, Todhra, Ourika and Asni regions - Walking in the Atlas Mountains