Setti Fatma (Sti Fadma) Waterfalls Trek in Ourika Valley and the Scary Eyes Carpet Seller
So after our hearty traditional Moroccan lunch, we are back inside the mini van for the next plan on the agenda. The driver told us we will be going to the Setti Fatma (Sti Fadma) waterfalls which are actually the highlight of this trip. We are excited!
The beauty of no expectations
Initially, we all thought we will just have a look at the falls from the foothills, but no, the tour guide that was hired on the spot by the driver (which later costs us 25DH each) told us he is bringing all of us up to the waterfalls! Whaaaat?
YES, WHAAAT? We looked at each other and laughed. I, obviously with my feminine flowing dress and ballet tiger flats, totally out dressed everyone in this event while the Australian girls were wearing flip flops – dangerous on the rocks as you easily slip, and Blondine, the English woman and the Spanish woman also did not have comfortable shoes on. Only the Belgian girls and the men were dressed for the trek.
We did not expect this??? We are not properly dressed? Look at my shoes?!
So we had some mixed emotions but we cannot deny the fact as well that we were excited to grab this chance. So let us go!
The climb to the Sti Fadma waterfalls
We probably spent almost 2 hours climbing to reach the Setti Fatma waterfalls. The trek took us 3 hours in total.
We crossed rivers while balancing our feet and weight on the stones, we did (steep) climbing on the rocks – there was this difficult part where we had to go over a massive vertical boulder, the guide had to hire 2 locals on the spot to assist us and I had the shock of my life when the Spanish woman slipped and she almost fell down towards the sharp rocks!
ARGHHH, I almost had a heart attack. Goodness heavens, that was a short call. I am not sure if I am going to do this again with a group, haha.
Complaints from the group members ensued after the trek, that we were not duly informed of the dangerous nature of this activity, and had something terrible happened, our insurance companies would not have accepted any claim. Why? Most of us were not properly attired for such ambitious outing.
We have arrived at the Falls!
Wahoo! We have finally arrived at the Setti Fatma (Sti Fadma) waterfalls! But it's not over yet we were told. Because what comes up, must come down =)
The hike going down was another adventure for us.
Scary eyes carpet seller
After the waterfalls trek, our guide told us that we were invited to a carpet shop in the village. We had mix feelings about it but decided to just go and see.
It turns out that the carpet seller was very assertive, bordering aggression without being physical if I may add. He looked like he was about to devour us if we do not listen to him. Scary. He kept repeating the words he said, much like his sales pitch really, with sharp penetrating scary eyes that carefully surveyed us one by one. Then in a trance-like manner, he asked us for confirmation, ‘Do you understand me? Do you understand me? Do you understand me?’
Oh dear me. Is he trying to cast a spell on us? Those scary big eyes....
Anyway, we were quite freaked out. Totally a WTF moment. I thought, we need to get out of here, lol.
The funny part is when he showed us the book with letters and messages from people all over the world who visited his shop. It just does not match up? Reading the letters convinced me how naive people are and how easy it is for them to part from their money. We left and did not buy anything of course.
Although the trek came in as a wild, daring and risky surprise, we truly enjoyed every bit of it. The whole team bonded and up to some point during the hike we felt the Indiana Jones Adventure thrill trickling down our veins =) It was all worth it.
Travel Period: April 2009
Destination: Setti Fatma, Al Haouz (Marrakesh-Safi), Morocco
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
The beauty of no expectations
Initially, we all thought we will just have a look at the falls from the foothills, but no, the tour guide that was hired on the spot by the driver (which later costs us 25DH each) told us he is bringing all of us up to the waterfalls! Whaaaat?
The rudimentary wooden foot bridge in Ourika River, Ourika Valley. This was just at the start of the trek.
YES, WHAAAT? We looked at each other and laughed. I, obviously with my feminine flowing dress and ballet tiger flats, totally out dressed everyone in this event while the Australian girls were wearing flip flops – dangerous on the rocks as you easily slip, and Blondine, the English woman and the Spanish woman also did not have comfortable shoes on. Only the Belgian girls and the men were dressed for the trek.
We did not expect this??? We are not properly dressed? Look at my shoes?!
So we had some mixed emotions but we cannot deny the fact as well that we were excited to grab this chance. So let us go!
The climb to the Sti Fadma waterfalls
We probably spent almost 2 hours climbing to reach the Setti Fatma waterfalls. The trek took us 3 hours in total.
Check out the slippers gear of the Australian girls.
We crossed rivers while balancing our feet and weight on the stones, we did (steep) climbing on the rocks – there was this difficult part where we had to go over a massive vertical boulder, the guide had to hire 2 locals on the spot to assist us and I had the shock of my life when the Spanish woman slipped and she almost fell down towards the sharp rocks!
ARGHHH, I almost had a heart attack. Goodness heavens, that was a short call. I am not sure if I am going to do this again with a group, haha.
Complaints from the group members ensued after the trek, that we were not duly informed of the dangerous nature of this activity, and had something terrible happened, our insurance companies would not have accepted any claim. Why? Most of us were not properly attired for such ambitious outing.
The climb to the Setti Fatma falls and passing by this really cool outdoor refrigerator, sodas being cooled by the chilly running waters.
We have arrived at the Falls!
Wahoo! We have finally arrived at the Setti Fatma (Sti Fadma) waterfalls! But it's not over yet we were told. Because what comes up, must come down =)
The hike going down was another adventure for us.
The Setti Fatma Waterfalls (Sti Fadma).
The Setti Fatma Waterfalls in Ourika.
Blondine and I conquered the Setti Fatma waterfalls. As you can see I climbed this mountain and scaled the rivers with my girly dress. I am not smiling here because it was cold!
The guide here helping us with this difficult part of the climb.
This was on the way back down to the Ourika Valley.
The Setti Fatma village on the Ourika river valley.
Scary eyes carpet seller
After the waterfalls trek, our guide told us that we were invited to a carpet shop in the village. We had mix feelings about it but decided to just go and see.
It turns out that the carpet seller was very assertive, bordering aggression without being physical if I may add. He looked like he was about to devour us if we do not listen to him. Scary. He kept repeating the words he said, much like his sales pitch really, with sharp penetrating scary eyes that carefully surveyed us one by one. Then in a trance-like manner, he asked us for confirmation, ‘Do you understand me? Do you understand me? Do you understand me?’
Oh dear me. Is he trying to cast a spell on us? Those scary big eyes....
Anyway, we were quite freaked out. Totally a WTF moment. I thought, we need to get out of here, lol.
The funny part is when he showed us the book with letters and messages from people all over the world who visited his shop. It just does not match up? Reading the letters convinced me how naive people are and how easy it is for them to part from their money. We left and did not buy anything of course.
The Setti Fatma Village. They sell carpets here as well.
Although the trek came in as a wild, daring and risky surprise, we truly enjoyed every bit of it. The whole team bonded and up to some point during the hike we felt the Indiana Jones Adventure thrill trickling down our veins =) It was all worth it.
Travel Period: April 2009
Destination: Setti Fatma, Al Haouz (Marrakesh-Safi), Morocco
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
