Top Ten Places you wouldn't believe exist in Morocco
Part 9
The hidden Oasis of Meski
When I grew up, I grew up on reading the highly entertaining books of a Hungarian writer canned Jenö Rejtő who wrote the BEST BOOKS IN THE WORLD about Northern Africa, the French colonial times, the Sahara, the Foreign Legion. Reading his books I could hear the Adan, the calling to prayer, I could feel the heat of the desert and I was happy as hell when the legionaires have finally managed to find an oasis while marching through the Sahara. That's why to me Meski is important. It's like a journey to the past.. a real Oasis where you can imagine troops stopping, locals going to get water and indeed the sound of Adan can be heard. Get to know Meski and its rare beauty in a deserted land.
I have included Meski here not because you wouldn't believe an Oasis can exist in a land in Africa, but for its rare quality to really bring someone back in the past.. a real, authentic place, one would thing doesn't exist anymore.
Source Bleu de
Meski is a pool complex built by the troops of the Foreign Legion and it’s
located at the valley of the Ziz River, which is one of the most scenic attractions
in Morocco on its own right. Luckily, the place is lesser known, therefore it
is still underrated. Meski is a charming
Oasis with palm trees, swimming pools, offering a cozy and refreshing retreat
in the summer heat does indeed offer a picturesque sight and a great chance for
refreshment.
The swimming pools
look similar to the bathing pools you can see in India, with 2-3 rows of stairs
for the people to sit or to stand. The Meski Oases has two key areas, the main
pool which is the bathing area and the second is the river part, where you can
see how the river flows in offering a constant supply of water. The river
enters through a hole in the mountain and it offers a very unique sight. As for
its legend it is said that the pool of the water is increases fertility for
women who have their own area or own time to also get a swim, when or where men
are not around.
Things to keep in mind: for tourists
it’s a bit different but still, if you are a woman, I would highly advise you
not to swim in the male pool. However if you do, do count with excessive
attention from local males. Also, as the pool works as the water supply for the
locals, please do not use soap or any chemicals while being in the water. There
are showers where you can wash away the body lotions and perfumes before
entering the water.
The nearest big city
to Meski Oasis is the city of Errachidia, the biggest and Easternmost city of
Morocco. The city which has a connection to the inland highways and roads and
also boasts an international airport to welcome tourists and visitors, who come
here to visit the desert areas and family members visiting home, all year long.
Meski is situated in the Atlas Mountains, in the vicinity of the desert cities:
Merzouga and Erfoud. This basically means that this place is far from all the
rest of Morocco’s big cities. If you want to get here from other parts of
Morocco, rather check out a domestic flight. Errachidia has good road
connections to Marrakech through Ourzazate but that makes it a very long, over
7 hour journey. Fez and Meknes are about an 8 hour long drive.
Meski as an Oasis is hard to find so rather look for Meski Kasbah this is the easiest way to get to the Oasis.
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There is a lot to see and do in Meski |
For more photos on this lovely Oasis please visit my Pinterest Album created solely for this Mega Top Ten by clicking
here.
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