Jetting Through Dunes

Instead of a cozy evening in the dunes, everything turns out to be completely different. A 4×4 drives towards us and two moroccan men get out. They speak German and Spanish. They invite us to go to the village with them and cook tagines. We'are in, why not? None of us feel like cooking. In the car, a can of beer is handed to us straight away – the first time we've had alcohol since we've been to Morocco. In addition, we are eagerly explained that it is absolutely no problem to drink here or to drive without a seat belt. Simply because they know all the policemen in the village. The streets are all empty. There is really nobody here apart from us. After shopping in Hassilabied we come back to the campsite, which also is part of a hotel. The entire kitchen of the restaurant is at our disposal and we cook tagine together. They explain to us passionately and loudly how to proceed correctly. With the pot on the gas stove, all you have to do is wait.

Driving through sand is like swimming – in a car

What are you supposed to do with all that time? Driving? Apparently yes, because we're already sitting in the 4×4 again and speeding through the area, through Merzouga, towards the dunes. It goes up and down and shakes us back and forth. All while they pour wine at the same time, without losing a drop. This works surprisingly well. And so we stand at night, alone in the moonlight, on the largest dune in Morocco. Above us the stars and almost a full moon. In front of us the 4×4 with these guys who explain how nice the peace and quiet is here at night. It is all so unexpected and feels bizarre, but it is more than worthy of our trip. 

Back at the hotel, the tagine is finally ready. Everyone fills their bellies. Then firewood is quickly collected and loaded into the car with a drum. We drive to the campsite to our bus, make a fire and music. We share songs with them and they with us. It is a nice way to welcome people and we are thankful for this night. It gets late and we go to bed - first time surrounded by nothing but sand. 

The sand from above

The next day brings Luca a flight in the desert. Together with Hamid - he works at the reception - he struggles barefoot to the highest point of the nearest dune. He deploys his paraglider and turns on the camera. He glides over dunes and bright orange sand. It was probably one of his shortest flights so far, but probably one of the most impressive scenes.

We wash our clothes and are allowed to use the oven in the restaurant to bake cookies - after all, it's almost Christmas 😉 After an unexpected candle light dinner in the empty restaurant and another fire in front of our bus, we decide to continue our journey. We don't feel like spending more time at the campsite. We miss wild camping.