Ouzoud Waterfalls

Picture this: I was the last one to be picked up from my hotel, and the bus was packed with folks from good old Birmingham. Little did I know, the journey would take a whopping three hours. When we finally arrived, we were greeted by a group of kids playing with a rusty old football. It barely bounced, but their infectious enthusiasm made one of the lads on the tour join in. And just a few moments later, we witnessed an older gentleman riding his donkey down the road, making those loud braying noises. Startling, yet fascinating! We made our way towards the waterfall, with the kids following us. Along the way, we were warned not to feed the monkeys with the food given by their caregivers, or else we'd have to pay for it. Well, guess what? Half of our group decided not to listen!

When we finally reached the top, expecting a much longer journey, the waterfall revealed itself in all its glory. The view was sensational! In the distance, there was a beautifully placed house-like structure that turned out to be a hotel. And the waterfall itself? It was a sight to behold. Water cascading down the cliff, creating a shimmering curtain and a mist-like effect as it hit the pool of water below. The hike back down was quite the adventure, navigating through the cliffs and making our way to the bottom. Along the way, we stumbled upon these charming little shops that lined the path. They were like hidden gems, each one offering something unique. From refreshing drinks to vibrant traditional Moroccan clothing and beautiful souvenirs, these shops added an extra layer of charm to our journey. But the one that caught our attention the most was run by an older woman with a basket filled with juicy apples and oranges. What made it even more fascinating was her ingenious way of keeping the oranges cool. She had a swirling tub of water, and as she gently placed the oranges in it, fresh water sprayed from a hose, creating a mesmerizing sight. It was like a mini oasis in the midst of our adventure!

As we continued our journey, we reached a point where we had a clearer view of the waterfall. It was a sight to behold, with water cascading down the rocks in a breath-taking display of nature's power. We couldn't resist capturing more videos of this awe-inspiring beauty, trying to capture its essence from every angle. But the real highlight of our day was the boat ride. Well, calling it a boat might be an overstatement. It was more like a seated structure made of random bits of wood that miraculously floated. It had a rustic charm to it, adding to the authenticity of the experience. As we hopped on board, our excitement grew. The rowers, with their strong arms and focused determination, propelled us forward, taking us directly under the waterfall. The rush of water, the mist in the air, and the sheer power of the waterfall surrounding us left us speechless. It was an exhilarating adventure that made us feel alive and connected to nature in a profound way. Personally, it was quite funny watching the couple in my group interact – complaints about feet hurting and asking to be piggy backed down. “No” was the normal response. Love is so sweet.

Having made it to the bottom, let’s not forget about the rowers themselves. These unsung heroes work tirelessly all day, navigating the currents and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of tourists like us. Their dedication and skill were truly remarkable. They maneuvered the boat with precision, allowing us to get as close as possible to the thundering waterfall while keeping us safe. It was a humbling experience to witness their expertise and the pride they took in their work. Then, came food. I was indulging in these chicken skewers, perfectly cooked with tender meat marinated in a flavourful blend of spices and grilled to perfection. Each bite was a burst of smoky and savoury goodness while being treated to a view of the waterfall. It was such a serene and magical setting. To make it even better, there were these adorable kittens playfully running around everyone's legs. Every ten minutes, mischievous monkeys would show up, trying to ‘request’ food from other guests. The waiters were always on their toes, chasing them away.

Having eaten quickly I decided to go on a walk. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, a beautiful horse appeared out of nowhere, as if it was posing for the perfect video. As the day came to an end, we all lazily made our way back to the bus still in awe of view that that surrounded us. I struck up a conversation with the group of lads from Birmingham. They were curious and asked me "Where ya from brudda?". (Emphasis on the 'udda'). I paused a couple seconds and replied with a hint of sarcasm; "London, mate". I have never sounded so British in my life.