Mohammed VI

Media sources have said qu'importantes preparations are in the city of the Middle Atlas, Ifrane, to accommodate for the holiday season, King Mohammed VI.

According to the newspaper Al Akhbar reported that Yaoum this information in its draw Monday, December 31, the monarch would have flown to the winter resort since the city of Agadir where he was staying these days.

The same sources indicated that the city had received more snow this week, the King's wife, Princess Lalla Salma and her two children, Princes Moulay El Hassan and Lalla Khadija, during school holidays.

Each year, Moroccans comemmorate the exile of Mohammed V on 20th August and then, on 21st August, the birthday of his Grandson, the current King Mohammed VI.

Ten years and one day after his Grandfather, Sultan (later King) Mohammed V, was sent into exile (only to return triumphant), Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan was born, the eldest son of King Hassan II of Morocco.

Mohammed VI was born on 21st August 1963 and succeeded his father on 23rd July 1999.

On Saturday, 21st August 2010, HM King Mohammed VI celebrates with his people his 47th birthday.



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Hercules Cave - YouTube

The Ouzoud Waterfalls

Breakfast and depart to the Cascades d' Ouzoud to experience one of the most spectacular sights in Morocco. Located in a plush valley, within friendly Berber .
Ouzoud Falls. Cascades d'Ouzoud.jpg. Ouzoud Waterfalls. Location, Morocco. Type, Multi-step. Total height, 110 m (330 ft). Number of drops
Though chiefly associated with rolling sand dunes and desert vistas, Morocco also features some spectacular sights that one wouldn't expect to see in a North African country. Case in point: the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Located in Morocco's Azilal province 95 miles north-east of Marrakech, the Ouzoud Waterfalls (or "Cascades d'Ouzoud" in French) present a striking picture of beauty that is all the more unexpected compared to the ruggedness of the surrounding country.

The Ouzoud Waterfalls are a complex network of waterfalls that cascade one into another through 3 major and several minor drops. From top to bottom, the chain of waterfalls stretches 330 feet. The brilliant white of the stirred-up water contrasts dramatically with the rich red sandstone outcroppings of the El Abid river gorge. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, the Ouzoud Waterfalls offer visitors a number of options to best view this astonishing natural wonder.

From the base of the falls, a path winds between ancient olive trees that have given their name to the falls - "Ouzoud" means "olive" in the Berber language. For those who prefer a bird's eye view, there are a number of small roads that lead to the summit and then descend to the bottom. Be sure to watch carefully as the sun sets: that's when extended family groups of the local monkeys visit the falls to play amongst the splashing waters and rising mists.

As befits its importance to Morocco as a scenic destination and as recognition of the fragile ecosystem around the Ouzoud Waterfalls, local, regional and national government bodies are spearheading conservation projects intended to protect the area and prevent its exploitation. Should you be lucky enough to visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls, perhaps as a side trip from a vacation in Marrakech, do your part by not discarding litter. Preserving the Ouzoud Waterfalls for future generations to enjoy is a gift to both future visitors and sign of respect for your gracious Moroccan hosts.


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Hercules Cave - YouTube

Hercules Cave - YouTube

According to our Moroccan tour guide, the Hercules Cave in Tangiers has 2000 years of history.
Located 14 km west of Tangier in Cap Spartel, the north-western extremity of Africa's Atlantic coast. Cap Spartel is heavily wooded, but below it the Robinson Plage stretches off to the south. The caves are located about 100 meters from the Robinson Plage Holiday Village and surrounded by some expensive cafes.
The caves has been used as a dwelling since Neolithic times. Archaeological excavations have produced human bones and flints. For a long time locals quarried stone here, then, in the first half of the 20th century they were used as brothels, until it was found that tourists were a more lucrative venture.
It is recommended that one visits the caves very early in the morning to avoid being hassled by the locals. The Caves of Hercules are Tangiers premier tourist attraction. Apart from their great beauty and archaeological interest, they are reputed to have been the dwelling place of Hercules who founded Tangier and made the Straits of Gibraltar, with one blow from his sword.
From the entrance kiosk, the guide leads the party along a concrete path, past the old quarry working to a second entrance overlooking the Atlantic ocean. This is called "The Map of Africa", as the outline of the entrance is said to resemble this feature. This entrance is impassable at high tide.

Text by Tony Oldham (2004). With kind permission.
This cave and its neighbouring caves the Al Alia Cave, the Al Khil Cave and the Cave of Ace Sayfia contain prehistoric remains from the Neolithic. The findings are currently exposed at the museum of Kasba of Tangier. They include smooth, red pottery, polished rocks, cut flint and terra cotta figurines.

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