Road trip from the Sahara Desert to Marrakech

By | Morocco | No Comments

 The trip going back was longer- 12 hoursRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (3) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (4) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (5) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (2)  Cafe of Raj 🙂Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (6)  Oasis in the #SaharaDesert 220 kms of Palm trees from Agadir to Algeria #Morokrew 1,200 km RiverRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (7) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (8) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (9)  We stopped for lunchRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (10)  Everyone was so happy there was wifi! 🙂Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (11) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (12)  A heart 🙂Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (13)  Beautiful sceneryRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (14) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (15) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (16)  Shopping stopRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (17) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (18) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (19) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (20) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (21) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (22) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (23) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (24) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (25) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (26) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (27)  Kasbah – Where they filmed many films – Prince of Persia and Gladiator #Morokrew#Kasbah

Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (28) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (29)  There are 3 filming studios in the #SaharaDesert This was CLA Studios #Morokrew #quarzazateRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (30)  Argan oil shopping stop on our 12 hour road trip from the #SaharaDesert to Marrakech #Morokrew#ArganOil Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (31) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (32) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (33)  Argan oil comes from kernels from an argan tree in Morocco #Morokrew #ArganOil #ArganRoad trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (34) Road trip from the Sahra Desert to Marrakech (1)

Tent at the Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

By | Morocco | One Comment

In the whole history of Heart2Heart, I never wrote anything negative about anything or anyone.  This will be the first time.  Before I wrote this, I wrote the desert camp and told them about the situation and yet they did not do anything to rectify the situation and to give importance to my complaint.  I am sharing this with you because though our photos and videos may show that the desert camp was a nice experience, what I experienced was something I was very surprised that they did not care even if I told them I would write about them.  I hope that this incident will not happen to you if ever you do book in this camp.  My experience would have been acceptable considering they charged US$ 400.00 a night per tent and included food and camel trek, but I don’t think that what they did to our group was fair.  Make sure when you book your accommodations you get what you are expecting and what you paid for.  I was analyzing why they wanted us to pay the balance of payment before arriving at camp – and maybe this is why because we would not have paid had this happened to us.  

We arrived at the desert camp at 8 pm already so it was dark.  We could not see so much the tents.  But this is how it looked during the day.  There are 8 tents in this photo which is all lined up in 2 rows.  All the tents in this row are of the same size and with the same amenities IMG_5179 There are chairs and pillows outside the tent – not all the same design but they are all providedIMG_4065IMG_4066 When we arrived that evening – we were not given any tent assignments.  We did not have to check in.  We were a group of 14 with 7 tents reserved.  Out of the 8 tents available – only 6 were allocated to us and 1 was on the side of the camp.  Since I was busy taking photos we were the last to choose and we got the tent on the side.

This was how it looked like.  If you will notice there are tents around it – those were empty or being used to store things

tent erg chebbi desert camp morocco wrong tent 1  It is so obvious it is a make shift tent or a tent used for something else- maybe the staff – but it was definitely not like the others.  Had we stayed outside this tent there was no roofing to cover us from the heat unlike the other tents.  There was also no view of the desert or any view  to look at unlike the other roomstent erg chebbi desert camp morocco wrong tent 2

 It was lower in height than all the other tents and the amenities and bathroom was not the same.  I complained immediately to staff and he was insisting it was the same.  I complained to the owner- Abdou ( the one you see in the website )

owners Erg Chebbi desert camp

and he also was in denial. He was saying he was the one who built the tents and that they are all the same.  The only difference was the height.  Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (14)Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (15)Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (1) The next morning – the two tents were vacated and they transferred us to the proper tent.  How can they tell us that it is the same as this tent?    Tent at the Desert Camp (2) Tent at the Desert Camp (3) Tent at the Desert Camp (4) Tent at the Desert Camp (6)  We did not have this in the first tentTent at the Desert Camp (7) Tent at the Desert Camp (5) Tent at the Desert Camp (8) Tent at the Desert Camp (1)Tent at Desert Camp (1)Tent at Desert Camp (2)Tent at Desert Camp (3)

After this happened and we got to Marrakech, I immediately wrote Jana the wife of Abdou.  She is American and married to Abdou.  She is in charge of the bookings.  We were very tired arriving from a 10 hour trip and looking forward to a nice camp……When I arrived there and saw our tent,  I wanted to leave.  It was just not fair

Erg Chebbi desert camp letter complaint

This was her replyREply of erg chebbi desert campl Jana

I was just so tired explaining so many times already!  They were all in denial and kept insisting that there was no difference.  I was waiting for them to offer me something but they just apologized.  Then this was my reply. I even had to show photos as if they did not know.  But for documentations sake I made an effort

Erg Chebbi complaint letter 2Comparison of tents erg chebbi desert campJana’s reply erg chebbi camp sahara reply to letter Jana 3

 My reply to which she offered a US$ 50.00 refund – she did not even offer one night refund – so I felt it was very insulting and I told her it was unacceptable and that I would write about this in my blog and in the newspaper – she did not reply anymoreErg Chebbi complaint letter 3

Ergg Chebi Desert Camp

By | Morrocrew | No Comments

To get from the road to the camp, you need to take 4X4s to ride the dunes.  We supposedly had 4 but they sent us only 3.  Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (2) There are options of taking a helicopter or plane to the camp.  We took the mini bus which was a bit difficult due to the traveling time.  2 days out of the 4 days were used for driving to and from.  I would suggest doing one way via helicopter or plane so it is not too tiring.  Or if you plan to take the road, stay 3 nights so it is more relaxing and you are not just traveling half the time.Erg Chebbi useful info transportation options desert  Upon arrival, there was live music and tea and snacksErgg Chebi Desert Camp (3) Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (4)  Beautiful 🙂Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (5)  Love the Moroccan lanternsErgg Chebi Desert Camp (6) When we got there, I took photos of the tentsErgg Chebi Desert Camp (7)  Each room is a bit different in terms of bed frame and layout – but more or less the sameErgg Chebi Desert Camp (8) Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (9) Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (10) Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (11) Ergg Chebi Desert Camp (13)

 At the end of the tents towards the desert there is an area where you can hang out – after the lanternsErgg Chebi Desert Camp (12)

Click below to go to their website

Desert Luxury Camp offers to see earth's most spectacular natural landscapes in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Morocco desert.

Desert Luxury Camp offers to see earth’s most spectacular natural landscapes in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Morocco desert.

Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara

By | Morocco | No Comments

 In the desert it’s very very hot from 10am to 430pm so you can’t do anything really but just stay in your tent – specifically outside the tent because it’s hotter inside. There’s no internet in the desert so you are forced to do nothing which is actually nice 🙂  #Morokrew at the #SaharaDesert#ErgChebbi

Relaxing at the Desert Camp (4)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (5)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (6)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (7)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (8)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (9)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (10)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (16)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (17)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (2)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (3)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (18) There is a hammock beside one of the tents 🙂 Just one! 🙂Relaxing at the Desert Camp (19)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (20)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (21)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (22)Relaxing at the Desert Camp (1)Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (5)  Before sunset – cocktail and picture taking 🙂  You can also ride the camel or do the sand dunes ride ( extra fee ) but picture taking is more important haha!!  Sunrise is more important than sunset in the Sahara Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (6) Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (7) Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (8) Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (9)Hamid, one of the owners arrived at this time since he took part of the group carpet shopping in townSunset Cocktails at the Sahara (10)owners Erg Chebbi desert camp Choose a spot for your photo session 🙂Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (11)  Those with no Djellabas just borrowed from the staff haha!! How resourceful!  Their djellabas are even more beautiful actuallySunset Cocktails at the Sahara (12)  Beautiful djellabaSunset Cocktails at the Sahara (13) Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (14)  Love it that the boys are game 🙂 – all borrowed except for Manny and James 🙂Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (1)  #Morokrew in the #SaharaDesert  🙂 Our trip to Morocco would never be as memorable without the group. It’s much more fun to travel together

Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (3)  Good idea of Raj to ask the camels to join the photo!!!Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (2) Sunset Cocktails at the Sahara (4)

Lunch at the Desert Camp

By | Morocco | No Comments

Lunch was supposed to be somewhere in the desert but we asked them to just do it nearby the tents because it was very hot
Lunch at the Desert Camp (3)  Grill!!Lunch at the Desert Camp (4) Lunch at the Desert Camp (5)  Love their setting 🙂  Simple and so niceLunch at the Desert Camp (6) Lunch at the Desert Camp (7) Lunch at the Desert Camp (8) I don’t eat this 🙁  but everyone was raving about how fresh it was 🙂Lunch at the Desert Camp (9) Lunch at the Desert Camp (10) Lunch at the Desert Camp (11) Lunch at the Desert Camp (12) Lunch at the Desert Camp (13) Lunch at the Desert Camp (14) 5$ Moroccan wine from the wine shopLunch at the Desert Camp (15) Lunch at the Desert Camp (16) Lunch at the Desert Camp (17)  Dessert in the desert 🙂Lunch at the Desert Camp (18) Lunch at the Desert Camp (19) Lunch at the Desert Camp (1) Lunch at the Desert Camp (2)

Sahara Desert Caravan

By | Morocco | No Comments

We camel trekked after breakfast!  The earlier the better.  So it was around 930am.  If I were to do this all over again – I would do this at sunrise – at 6am to get up to the dunes.  After sunrise- continue the trek til around 830am to 9am.  That way it is still cool and not too hot.  Then do the sand dunes for sunsetSahara Desert Caravan (2) Sahara Desert Caravan (3)  We all bought turbans to cover ourselves and protect from the sun.  A MUST!!  Aside from sunblock.  And remember – Hydrate hydrate hydrate!Sahara Desert Caravan (4) Sahara Desert Caravan (5) Sahara Desert Caravan (6) Sahara Desert Caravan (7) We stopped for awhile to have some mint tea Sahara Desert Caravan (8)  The guide is all around 🙂  He is also the server 🙂 He built a fire and heated the teaSahara Desert Caravan (9) Sahara Desert Caravan (10) Sahara Desert Caravan (11) Sahara Desert Caravan (12)  Spotted Pinoy triathlete in the #SaharaDesert – Jose Moreno @jlm72471 This guy has the most questions 🙂  and this trip I discovered his funny side and super enjoy all his statements, narrations and observations that no one will dare say haha!! So glad he’s part of #Morokrew   #SaharaDesert

Sahara Desert Caravan (13) Sahara Desert Caravan (14) Sahara Desert Caravan (15) Sahara Desert Caravan (16) Sahara Desert Caravan (17) Sahara Desert Caravan (18) Sahara Desert Caravan (19)  Camel toe!!!! haha!!! Photo from the hubby- only he will think of it haha!!Sahara Desert Caravan (1)

Breakfast at Erg Chebbi

By | Morocco | No Comments

Breakfast at Erg Chebbi (1) Breakfast 🙂  Breakfast at Erg Chebbi (5)Yogurt, Moroccan pancakes, bread, coffee, tea, orange juiceBreakfast at Erg Chebbi (6)  and the yummiest – Moroccan omelette!! Freshly made and served in a tagine. I wish there was garlic rice! 🙂  Order in advance I suggest 🙂Breakfast at Erg Chebbi (3) Breakfast at Erg Chebbi (4)Breakfast at Erg Chebbi (2)

Kate Spade New York

By | Morocco, SSI Group Inc | No Comments

Celebrated Spring at Kate Spade New York’s shiny new store in Greenbelt 5 last March 25, Saturdaykate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 1 kate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 2 kate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 3 kate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 20 kate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 17and be transported to Morocco with a belly dancing spectacle, Moroccan mint tea and decors drawing inspiration from the country’s dusky dessert landscapes, the pattern play of candle lit lanterns and the oasis calm in the Majorelle gardens. Bask in the Moroccan landscape and enjoy shopping perks, treats and drinks all in one evening.kate spade greenbelt 5 stoer opening 22

Kate Spade New York (2) Kate Spade New York (1)In the Philippines, Kate Spade New York is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall, Power Plant Mall, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Rustan’s Cebu. Visit facebook.com/katespadenewyork.philippines or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara

By | Morocco | No Comments

 One of the must dos in the Sahara Desert is to catch the sunriseCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (2) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (3)  Part of the #Morokrewthat woke up at 530am to catch the sunrise at the #SaharaDesert

Our guide said just go up there :-O It was quite a trek. We could have taken the camel.  I suggest that when you plan to wake up for the sunrise, ask the camp where it will be so the day or the night before you can make arrangements and if you would like to be accompanied, you must specify

But anyway we made it 🙂  

Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (4) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (5) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (6) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (7) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (8)  Reunited with #Nisekrew Kai @kaisterprimo 🙂  When going to see the sunrise early in the morning – wear winter socks because the sand is very cold 🙂  Its easier to walk with socks than to use shoes.  #Morokrew#SaharaDesertCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (9) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (10) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (11) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (12) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (13)  We saw something crawling in the sand- some sort of beetleCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (14) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (15)  Take advantage and take as many photos as you can!  It’s beautiful!  We should have brought our djellabas and other costume changes haha!!  Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (16) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (17) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (18) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (19) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (20) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (21) Beautiful!!  Don’t expect though that everything is like this – there are parts 🙂  Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (22)Good thing #Morokrew Anna @aangara joined us for our sunrise excursion at the #SaharaDesert  We would not know how to hike the dunes without her. The guide just told us to get up the dune ( and he didn’t even tell us how or didn’t go with us ) but it’s not as simple as that.  So good thing Anna was there to help us. We let her go first ( haha ) and we just followed her. She’s also so funny, so lively and a great companion 🙂
Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (23) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (24) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (25) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (26)  It’s not all sand- there are plants and weeds in between.  I always thought it was all sandCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (27) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (28)Spotted a Pinoy photographer in the #SaharaDesert taking our photo 🙂 – it was #Morokrew Steve @stvsy888 We love  Steve because he takes photos of all of us and anything we ask him to take photo of 🙂 So I am glad I have some candid shots of him.  He’s ever so kind, so patient, so reliable and so helpful. A great friend to have !  #H2HPhotography

Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (29) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (30) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (31)  A couple having a photo shoot 🙂Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (32)  Take shadow photos 🙂Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (33)  Going back to the campCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (34)  Seating area which we never used.  I would have asked for them to set up breakfast here had I known there was this areaCatching the Sunrise at the Sahara (35) Catching the Sunrise at the Sahara (1)

Dinner at Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

By | Morocco | No Comments

We arrived in the desert camp in time for dinner already.  We had two dinners at the desert and we enjoyed them both.  Dinner at Ergg Chebi (20)  There is a tent for the dining roomDinner at Ergg Chebi (21)Culinary Erg Chebbi desert camp MoroccoDinner at Ergg Chebi (2) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (14) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (15) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (3) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (16)  CouscousDinner at Ergg Chebi (17)  TagineDinner at Ergg Chebi (18) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (4) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (19)Dinner at Ergg Chebi (22) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (23) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (5) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (6) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (7) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (8)  Moroccan noodles – Seffa Medfouna ( broken vermicelli noodles ) They usually put cinnamon and powdered sugar but in this case they put it on the side as an option. Love all the raisins and prunes they put in their food. #ErgChebbi#SaharaDesert #Morokrew #H2HPasta

Dinner at Ergg Chebi (9) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (10) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (11) Moroccan MeatballsDinner at Ergg Chebi (24) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (12) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (1) Dinner at Ergg Chebi (13)

Desert Luxury Camp offers to see earth's most fantastic normal scenes in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Morocco .

Desert Luxury Camp offers to see earth’s most fantastic normal scenes in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi from Morocco .

FILTER