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Download picture book - Kasbah du Toubkal

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Driving to Imlil Valley...a few dozen kilometres, into a different world...Passing under the endless skies surrounding Marrakech,through immense orchards of silvery olive treesdancing in the breeze.Into the warm and golden foothills with their amazinghues of amber, umber and ochre, each rolling mountainwith its own Berber village of matching color blendinginto the hillside.The JourneyFinally, into the heart of the starkly beautifulHigh Atlas Mountains with their deep,clear cerulean skies.


ArrivalArriving at the <strong>Kasbah</strong>... first impressions... being met at the <strong>Kasbah</strong> officein Imlil village with warm welcomes and fresh, cool water...Walking through little, bustling Imlil village with a local muleteer,his mule laden with our luggage...Ambling up the zigzagging trail under the village walnut groves andcatching that first breathtaking view of the <strong>Kasbah</strong> hanging above.


Tired and weary from travels andstepping through the huge walled gate, up handhewnstone steps and into the <strong>Kasbah</strong>’s flower-filled courtyard.WelcomeBeing welcomed at reception with warm, fragrant rose waterto pour over and cleanse our hands, aromatic mint tea froma silver service and dates and figs to revive our energy...


Next, a short stroll up to the rooftop of the<strong>Kasbah</strong>, where an awesome spectacle awaits –our first full sight of the top-of-the-world view.A 360° of the entire Imlil valley and all of itsseven villages, each perched precipitously onthe mountainsides.Above it all looms snow-topped Jbel <strong>Toubkal</strong>,the highest mountain in North Africa.Lunching on the roof terrace, sitting on anauthentic Moroccan carpet and loungingagainst colorful Moroccan pillows, it feelsas if you could almost reach out and touch<strong>Toubkal</strong> – and the sky.


Nothing prepares youfor the degree of comfort and warmthwhile staying at the <strong>Kasbah</strong>. The highest levelof hospitality is provided in every possible respect,from the accommodating staff who treat you like aguest in their own home to the beautiful bedroomswith all home comforts, including soft slippers,cozy robes and hot water bottles for yourbed on crisp, cool evenings.The <strong>Kasbah</strong>


Everywhere in the <strong>Kasbah</strong> you find handsomecraftsmanship – created by local artisans withindigenous materials in authentic styles.Delicious, traditional Moroccan meals areprepared using typical local ingredients, muchas the villagers would dine on themselves.Naturally ripened and freshly gathered fruitsand vegetables are in abundance!The lovely, cleansing and restorativehammam, with its wood-fired steam, warmedmountain water and soft conditioning blacksoap, is not to be missed! The perfect wayto achieve total relaxation either beforeor after dinner by candlelight.


Hiking trails criss-cross thisgorgeous valley, starting right outsidethe <strong>Kasbah</strong> gate. You can walk down to samplevillage life and waterfalls, or hike up into the mountains.Every twist and turn amazes with new perspectives of thevalley and the seven distinct villages. Everywhere, the view isdominated by the striking and exotic silhouette of the <strong>Kasbah</strong>.The Mountain air here is so fresh and clean it is a delightto breathe in. There are Oxygen Bars in Los Angeles andNew York where people actually go and payto breathe air this fresh.TheImlil Valley


TheAzzadene ValleThe Trekking Lodgeinvites images of a rustic andprimitive place. What a surprise! The Lodgeis beautiful – the same hand-hewn stone,intricately carved doors, Moroccan carpets andlocally crafted furniture as enjoyed at the<strong>Kasbah</strong>. The same comfortable bedsand private bathrooms with tub,no less. he Trekking Lodge


A private trekking guide to lead and e<strong>du</strong>cate,a muleteer to load and carry and a personalchef to create delicious feasts for the eyes,as well as the body. What’s rustic about that?If there is a heaven on earth, it surely is to befound when soaking in the hammam after anexhilarating day of trekking.After several days, we come to recognize andlove the soothing soundtrack of everyday lifein the Azzadene Valley: the soft bleating ofthe grazing sheep, the happy tinkling of thecow bells, the laughter of children on the trailsabove and below. The beginning and endingof each day is marked by the lyrical call toprayer of the muezzin.The colors of the valley are even more vibrant,if that is possible. The veins of earth here runcopper, sienna and orange. The mountainsidesare dappled in brilliant shades of green fromhanging fields of barley, beans and corn. Here,one can see the truly authentic and traditionalmethods of architecture being practiced,virtually unchanged for generations.


Dar AsniE<strong>du</strong>cation For AllOnly a few kilometersout of Imlil Valley lies the firstboarding house built by E<strong>du</strong>cation For All.It is now filled with life. Thirty-six girls, agedbetween twelve and seventeen, call this placehome. For perhaps the first time in theirlives, they have a bed of their own, indoorplumbing and three heaping, healthymeals a day.


Even more importantly, the girls are providedwith supplies, <strong>book</strong>s and computers, as wellas personal support and tutoring, to continuetheir higher e<strong>du</strong>cation. One moment theyare frolicking and laughing like teenage girlsanywhere. The next moment they are studyingalgebra, biology and English.On a board in the dining room hang photosand self-made profiles of each girl. Theyhope to one day become teachers, architects,doctors – none of which would be possiblewithout the work of E<strong>du</strong>cation For All.


ow that you have spenttime at <strong>Kasbah</strong> <strong>du</strong> <strong>Toubkal</strong>and had the opportunityto explore the beauty of the High AtlasMountains, we hope it has whetted yourappetite to return and experience thisglorious region further.We have pro<strong>du</strong>ced this <strong>book</strong> not only as areminder of your time spent here, but also,and maybe more importantly, as a means ofsupporting a charity which funds e<strong>du</strong>cationfor girls from rural families in the High Atlas.Copies of the <strong>book</strong> can be purchased atreception, and all profits from its sale willgo directly to E<strong>du</strong>cation For All (EFA).EFA is a Moroccan-based charity that buildsboarding houses in the local area to providegirls between the ages of twelve andseventeen with all their needs so that theycan continue the e<strong>du</strong>cation denied them intheir remote villages. To find out more aboutthe important work undertaken by EFA, pleaseask at the hotel reception for a free copy ofA Different Life – The Work of E<strong>du</strong>cation For Allor visit the website at www.efamorocco.org.We hope you will have enjoyed your stay at<strong>Kasbah</strong> <strong>du</strong> <strong>Toubkal</strong>. As many of you may beaware, important work is carried out in thelocal area which is funded by the 5% addedto your bill. However, there is more to thisstory than you might think. A free copy ofthis story Reasonable Plans – The Story of the<strong>Kasbah</strong> <strong>du</strong> <strong>Toubkal</strong> is available at the hotelreception for you to take away and read atyour leisure, or you can download a copy atwww.‌kasbah<strong>du</strong>toubkal.com.The images in this <strong>book</strong> have beenincorporated into a large mosaic which canbe seen in the reception area of <strong>Kasbah</strong> <strong>du</strong><strong>Toubkal</strong>. Details of how to purchase one ofthese <strong>picture</strong>s are also available at reception.We hope you have enjoyed this <strong>book</strong> and itwill provide you with many happy memories.Bonnie Riehl and <strong>Kasbah</strong> <strong>du</strong> <strong>Toubkal</strong>


Image © Alan Keohane

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