It takes three vehicles to transport the whole group up to Paradise Valley. An hours trip on good mountain roads before turning into the expected dirt track that is more usual in these gorges. Often flooding in the winter rains, the little road takes us to a car park at the start of this well know tourist attraction. On the way we stop for a photo shoot, as you do !
El Capitan and his beautiful Fern are responsible for much of this trip. Certainly the coordinators of us as well as the other families. Quite a feat to encourage all those in the group photo to come to Morocco together and make this event happen. Well done everybody. Thank you Mark and Fern.
The major obstacle to a merry trip was illness. At times, at least one from each family was ill with Welsh flu or dodgy belly. We didn't see Alister for 2 days after we arrived ! I won't go into detail but as I write this on xmas day, both Krysia and I are wiped out with Welsh Flu ! This did not stop us all having a great time as each patient bounced back quickly to enjoy their weeks holiday in the sun.
At the carpark, we fall into line to what seems like an expedition into uncharted forest ! The small palmerie is less of a farm now and more of a cafe strewn tourist destination. Once an original example of permaculture, it is now lacking it's privacy and it's youth. Tourists flock here and the youth head to Agadir for work. Graffiti is sprayed on the rocks and rubbish is piled up waiting for something ! But time is short and a blind eye is turned on the mess and an open one on the beauty.
And beautiful it is.
Snaking our way through the palm trees and cafes, we come upon the first of the famed pools. But our destination lies further up the gorge, made possible by a footpath made especially for us visitors.
It's quite hard going as the path skirts the top of the gorge before dropping down to the highest pool.
It's well made path but treacherous if strayed from. Eyes straight ahead and hold onto your Pa Perin.
On arrival, we discover that the way down to the pool is not without it's difficulties. A rope tied to a tree stump hangs down to the pool level.
The young people are first down. Perin and Bodi then Ceri, Daisy and Anna.
Brave young things. It's not an easy climb.
And then suddenly Alex appears next to us old ones and proceeds to jump ! Just like that. No warning just here I go then and he ran and jumped. Gave us all quite a shock. But as anyone who knows Alex will know, he's always done that sort of thing. !
Bodie and Perin next, although I sadly missed Perin jumping. We know you did it Perin.
Go Bodie.
And then the three young ladies, all together take the plunge.
Brilliant.
The water is surprisingly warm and the girls enjoy a swim.
Krysia wants to go in but will wait for a more dignified entry back down at the first pool.
While these two visitors take the plunge from a daft height.
It has got crowded too so we head on back to the first pool to allow more leisurely entry.
The water lower down has become freezing. It must have been fed by a hot water spring at the top but the rocks have sucked all the warmth out of it. Only for the brave hearted here. And that is definitely Krysia followed by Fern, Mark, Ami and Bodie
Swimming in clear cold water.
Brings us to the end of our day out.
Krysia has warmed up. The gorge in the background cuts into the valley. The sun starting to set.
A rest and a freshly squeezed orange juice.
It's been a lovely day.
The Fourteen Welsh have been to Paradise Valley and lived to tell the tale. Bit over dramatic I know but it's not everyday such an event happens. So writers license eh!
Don't forget, you can click on a picture for slide show.
The major obstacle to a merry trip was illness. At times, at least one from each family was ill with Welsh flu or dodgy belly. We didn't see Alister for 2 days after we arrived ! I won't go into detail but as I write this on xmas day, both Krysia and I are wiped out with Welsh Flu ! This did not stop us all having a great time as each patient bounced back quickly to enjoy their weeks holiday in the sun.
At the carpark, we fall into line to what seems like an expedition into uncharted forest ! The small palmerie is less of a farm now and more of a cafe strewn tourist destination. Once an original example of permaculture, it is now lacking it's privacy and it's youth. Tourists flock here and the youth head to Agadir for work. Graffiti is sprayed on the rocks and rubbish is piled up waiting for something ! But time is short and a blind eye is turned on the mess and an open one on the beauty.
And beautiful it is.
Snaking our way through the palm trees and cafes, we come upon the first of the famed pools. But our destination lies further up the gorge, made possible by a footpath made especially for us visitors.
It's quite hard going as the path skirts the top of the gorge before dropping down to the highest pool.
It's well made path but treacherous if strayed from. Eyes straight ahead and hold onto your Pa Perin.
On arrival, we discover that the way down to the pool is not without it's difficulties. A rope tied to a tree stump hangs down to the pool level.The young people are first down. Perin and Bodi then Ceri, Daisy and Anna.
Brave young things. It's not an easy climb.
And then suddenly Alex appears next to us old ones and proceeds to jump ! Just like that. No warning just here I go then and he ran and jumped. Gave us all quite a shock. But as anyone who knows Alex will know, he's always done that sort of thing. !
Go Bodie.
And then the three young ladies, all together take the plunge.
Brilliant.
The water is surprisingly warm and the girls enjoy a swim.
Krysia wants to go in but will wait for a more dignified entry back down at the first pool.
While these two visitors take the plunge from a daft height.
It has got crowded too so we head on back to the first pool to allow more leisurely entry.
The water lower down has become freezing. It must have been fed by a hot water spring at the top but the rocks have sucked all the warmth out of it. Only for the brave hearted here. And that is definitely Krysia followed by Fern, Mark, Ami and Bodie
Swimming in clear cold water. Brings us to the end of our day out.
A rest and a freshly squeezed orange juice.
It's been a lovely day.
The Fourteen Welsh have been to Paradise Valley and lived to tell the tale. Bit over dramatic I know but it's not everyday such an event happens. So writers license eh!
Don't forget, you can click on a picture for slide show.
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