Khénifra - Meknes

In the morning after breakfast in the hotel I ride on a minor road from Khénifra to Azrou, which we had already have ridden on our way to the south. That day there was market in Azrou.

The road leads once again through beautiful landscapes. In Aguelma Azigza National Park there is a beautifully located lake, which on Sunday is the destination of many locals. Did I mention that Moroccans love the water? At the lake I also meet two swiss couples with big 4x4 trucks who have stayed here for the night. I am a bit jealous when I think of my hotel last night. I get their narrator's chair and stay for half an hour, before I ride on.

The Swiss have mentioned another waterfall on the route, the Sources Oum Rabia. I can not miss it, because there is a chaotic traffic jam around the parking lot. I am getting the victim of a young guide who helps me park my bike, entrusting my helmet and tank bag to his "boss", who locks it in his car and then escorts me to the springs and the waterfall. As a precaution, I buy a 1.5l bottle of water, because it is really hot. After a while we pass a bottleneck, where hefty discussions are on with vigorous participation of the many present people. Of course, there is one guy who wants to collect another 3 dirham entry fee. Alright, I don't really care. Around the corner you can see the waterfall, which is not very high or impressive. Moreover, it is full of people here. I take a few pictures and leave that place again. On the way down I have views to nice shelters, which are built along the quite wild little river. Some people dangle their legs in the water, or you are just lazy lying under a sunscreen. Cozy weekend fun. Oh, did I mention that Moroccans love water? By the way, me too. During the short walk - maybe 500 meters - I emptied the 1.5 liter water bottle. I've just bought a new one. At some point, my guide has found his "boss" again and comes back with my helmet and the tank bag. Well, now the hardest part. How much do one have to pay for? Parkkeeper: 5 dirhams. I have a twenties. So 15 dirhams return. I give the 15 dirham to my guide and ask - expecting a negative answer or gesture: "Ok?". Yes OK. No "man, that's far too less" gesture. He is satisfied. So I most probably I gave too much. Well, how to know?

The rest of the road to Azrou is fun. The tar is cover by many potholes, over which you jump with the bike. Swinging suspension!

In the early evening I arrive in Meknes, where I booked a room at Riad Yacout. Somehow I have tomatoes on my eyes (as we say in German) and do not find the hotel. I'm finally in a narrow alley, asking to an elderly gentleman who briefly discusses with a few other young men and then obviously knows where to go. He signals me to turn around, what I'm doing. He walks a few steps ahead of me and waits until I'm aside of him, then he just folds down the rear pegs and the jumps up on the pillion seat. For a moment I'm surprised and think I will drop down the bike (this guy has his weight!). Then he directs me with professional hand signals from the pillion seat. Cool. This kind of navigation system is working too.

Although they do not speak English in the riad, they understand it more or less. Somehow all my questions (especially those about dinner requests, i.e. what and when) are answered. I still need a guarded parking for bike. Although I found a guy for guarded parking, he told me it's not for the night. Oops, next moment this parking attendant jumps on my pillion seat too and directs me around the square to the "guarded parking lot for the night". Well, two guys had much fun with me today. At departure the next morning the parking attendent will beam a wonderful 1-tooth smile on me.

Before dinner, there is still plenty of time to explore Meknes. I stroll around the streets and the souk. I like this city at the first sight. Not quite as exaggerated on tourism as in Fes and Marrakech. But maybe I'm wrong. In the medina a teenager again tries the "road is closed" trick on me. Bad luck. Thanks to my hiking GPS device I find the way back myself.

In the evening at the riad I indulge in luxury. I eat a lot and treat myself to 3 beers.