Ouzoud Waterfalls

by Elena Levon

My second day in Marrakech began early in the morning at one of my favorite places ~ Imzzane Cafe. It’s a local gem!

Where every single day I enjoyed the best coffee and breakfast in town.

I sat on the outside terrace with a morning glow on my face that was soon replaced by butterflies of excitement in my soul.

Watching this amazing city burst with it’s rainbow of life, into a new day …

Everything was last minute, nothing was pre-booked! Since I don’t like big group tours I decided to just get last minute transfer to the waterfalls. I happily shared transport with a small group of like-minded travelers for 20 something dollars and met a wonderful couple from Riga, Latvia who travel the world and refuse to stop and start “acting their age” like everyone tells them to!

We shared stories from travel and laughed. They told me it was their second time in Marrakech.

After about 3 hours and 150 kilometers we reached Ouzoud Waterfalls. Ouzoud means “Olive” in Berber. It got it’s name from all the Olive trees surrounding this gorgeous place.

We were greeted by a very friendly local guide who told us that we can either come with him and he will show us a place where the argyle oil is being made in the village of Tanaghmeilt, have tea with local Berber family, then make our way to the falls and tip him at the end of the day about 3 dollars each

or

do whatever we wanted and meet by the mini bus at a specific time…

I decided to do the opposite of what I did on my first day in Marrakech , which surprised even me ~

Accepted our guide’s invitation…

The place where they make Argan Oil

We were all invited inside the traditional Berber Home for some refreshing mint tea…

After enjoying the most famous drink of Morocco we walked to the edge of the mountains for a full view of gorgeous ” Olive ” Waterfalls …

and slowly made our way down through the village and mountains…

While hiking down the mountain, you could hear a very laud sound of drums and singing …

It was a Sunday…

a day when all local kids, couples, family’s, groups of teen’s come to play and swim!

The sounds and colors are so festive that you think that you were invited to a local music & dance carnival …

Of course I had to get in one of those colorful boats and get as close to the waterfalls as possible while dancing to the sounds of nearby drums…

and rowing closer to the rainbows …

laughing at what bad of a job I’m doing …

I got to sit next to the most amazing sand formations …

However I didn’t get there by myself … our guide carried the stubborn me … over the shoulder …

if he didn’t I would’ve fell into the water …

it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t sit right on the edge ..

We stopped at the local place where we could have lunch, with stunning views of the falls. Had some mint tea, fresh orange juice and coffee, since I wanted to have dinner at my favorite Jemaa el Fna when we got back in Marrakech.

Ouzoud Waterfalls is also home to this handsome fella …

It was an incredible day filled with stunning nature, scents, music and dance.

I was swept away into the true heart of this nation ~ the amazing people of Morocco!

That guide really did deserve his tip … actually tipped him more than he asked…

After all, he did carry the stubborn ram that I am to the other side…

I went to sleep early that night because I had to be up at 5:30 for my 3 day 2 night Saharan Adventure…

me inside the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou ~ UNESCO World Heritage Site

PS – I have updated HOW NOT TO PLAN & TRAVEL THE WORLD CHEAP post.

Hope you will find some useful tips for your next adventure.

_____________________

 The woman behind the words …

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