Moroccan Odyssey Day 17

Morocco Day 17: Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh

Odyssey Day 16

Morocco Day16: Ouarzazate 

Ouarzazate  is Africa’s film capital boasting two film studios, Atlas Studios and CLA Studios. Thanks to its otherworldly landscapes and good light, it has hosted countless international film productions.  Some of the blockbusters filmed here include Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Game of Thrones (scenes for the city of Yunkai), Black Hawk Down, and Babel.

Ouarzazate is also home to the Noor Solar Complex, one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants, producing renewable energy for much of Morocco. We couldn't see the array, but were able to see the reflexion on the central tower from about 20 miles away.

About 20 miles northwest of Ouarzazate, on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, is the town of Ait Ben Hadou.  It is a well preserved ksar with mudbrick towers rising above a desert riverbed, backed by the High Atlas Mountains.

We met our local guide, Mohammed, here.  He was quite a character; with no formal education he speaks 5 languages (well) and is a wealth of knowledge about the history and culture of the area, as well as about  movies shot here.  He has been an extra in several movies and has met several famous actors,  He claims he looks more like Denzel Washington than Denzel Washington.

He introduced us to a local painter from whom we all brought original watercolors.

He uses a technique that requires heat to activate some of the pigments bringing his paintings to life.