We finally made it!! It was not an easy trip getting to the actual desert from Marrakech, but it sure was worth it. We arrived at the riad base camp located right at the edge of the desert. Here we grabbed our final bottles of water and got our packs ready. We were encouraged to wear covers over our heads and mouths do to cover from the heat and sand storms. So we all “suited up” and waited for our guide to lead us to our camels.
Finally it was time to ride! Our guide took us out to where all the camels were waiting and began to size us up with a camel. Eric and Holly got to ride by each other, which was nice. I was in the very front and had the most amazing view. My camel’s name was Woodmarlay and he was very sweet. Some of the other camels would make loud noises, bite and spit. Not Woodmarlay, he was gentle and listened to our guide really well.
Our campsite was about 1.5 hours away and we got to watch the sunset while we rode the camels through the most peaceful, deep orange sand I have ever seen. The sand went on as far as the eye could see. It was amazing, a must see if you ever get the chance!
Speaking of sundown, remember that we were visiting Morocco right in the middle of Ramadan. So we took a little pit stop so our guides could eat. This gave me a chance to take a couple Camel Selfies with Woodmarlay! 🙂
During our pit stop, we had the chance to climb a sand dune and finish watching the sun setting. Riding a camel is fun but it also hurts. I think the boys had it worse then the girls or we can just tolerate more pain. lol
After our break we rode for another 45 minutes or so until we reached camp. It was pitch dark and we could hardly see anything. There were a few candles lit, but that was about it. Our guides made us dinner and we all sat inside a really hot tent to eat. It was almost unbearable how hot we were and the candles were not helping. After our dinner, we came back outside just as others were grabbing sleeping pads and setting up their sleeping area. We knew it was going to be way to hot to sleep inside a tent so we took our sleeping pads outside. We slept under the stars and it was such an incredible experience. Once we all settled into bed and our camp fell quiet, there was a sense of peace as I stared up at the sky counting all the shooting stars. We had the most beautiful starry night! We could even see the Milky Way Galaxy. Some were apprehensive to sleep outside, but we loved every minute being in the open air under the stars.
We were woken up at 4:30am so we could see the sunrise as we trekked back. I savored that moment because I knew in just a few short hours we were going to be back on the bus and riding all the way back to Marrakech, which would take us 8-9 hours without stopping. Once we returned we would have one more day to explore Marrakech and then it was time to head home.
One year ago, we were living in San Diego dreaming about our big move abroad. Never would I have guessed that a year later we would be in Africa, riding camels in the Sahara Desert. I feel so thankful and blessed for all of the opportunities Eric and I have had this year and the ability to share some of them with our friends!
“These types of vacation are not always the most comfortable or in the moment enjoyable, but you go on them to learn, grow and change”- Our friend Nazim
Eric & Zey take on Europe! 