Most people come to Ait Ben Haddou for a day trip, but luckily we showed up with a flexible schedule and an appreciation for peace and warm people.
We booked our first three nights at a hotel that was highly rated on booking.com. Although we liked Ait Ben Haddou, we felt we could do better. Day before checkout we went walking around and asking each place how much and what’s included. Although there were some suitable places, we found Auberge Azaddou Tamlalte to be the best value and especially because it had such an amazing view of the Kasbah. We immediately felt more comfortable as we got to know the Azaddou family. Oldest brother Hassan lived in France for many years and was a very classy and hospitable man. He spoke mostly French, but we did the best we could to show warmth and respect. Salah, the younger brother became the person we spent the most time with during our stay. We shared many breakfasts and dinners talking with Salah about all things ranging from the Universe to his beloved Morocco. We learned a lot and appreciate much more because of our conversations. He is also an accomplished stunt man and animal wrangler that has been in just about every big production filmed in Morocco including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and many others. He can drive a horse chariot and has taught Mathew Mcconaughey and Penelope Cruz to gallop on camels alongside a moving train. We spent many of our dinners watching movies he has worked on while eating delicious homemade meals he prepared for us.
We spent a combined two months in Ait Ben Haddou. We became close and our relationship with the family and town complimented Ait Ben Haddou’s warm and peaceful nature. We feel lucky and blessed to say the least to have had that time.
As it became time to leave. We rented a car and drove about 600 miles from Ait Ben Haddou to Essaouira. We were joined by Salah and his wife for the all day drive, stopping in Agadir for coffee and to watch the sun setting on the west coast of the Atlantic ocean. BTW, after dropping us off, Salah drove another 7 hours back home, the same night, adding to his already legendary status.
Here are some photos throughout our time in Ait Ben Haddou and some of our friends we’ll always be glad to come home to again some day.
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