This was an opportunity to visit a country rich in history, culture, diversity, ancient cities, mountain ranges, contrasting landscapes. And a visit to Morocco was also an opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the local people.

The tour was hosted by the Moroccan organising committee under the banner of International Federation of Artistic Photographers (FIAP). 200 photographers from 34 countries was always going to be a challenge to organisers, but I felt that the 16 kiwis on tour added a balancing keel to right any felt frustrations, especially when the hour hand on the local clocks seemed to have fallen off at times. The 10 day fully organised tour started and finished at Marrakech and took place from 23 June to 2 July 2019; a period when the hot and dry inland temperatures ranged between 30 and 40 degrees C on most days.

The program was full on with long daily bus trips between cities, towns and villages, including crossing the vast Atlas Mountains. We visited numerous festivals and ruined kasbahs, where we were met by animated cultural welcoming groups. We visited museums, including the Museum of Water Civilisation, the Macro Gallery of Fossils and Minerals, and the Movie Studios of Ouarzazate. A highlight was the tour to the Sahara Desert near the Algerian border, where the braver photographers mounted camels (or alternatively chose 4 wheel drive vehicles) for a trek across the sand dunes of Merzouga at sunset. A visit to the North Atlantic coast provided great photo opportunities at the fishing port, fortified medina and markets at Essaouira. The tour ended with a visit to the Agadir Crocodile Farm at feeding time (containing over 300 strong Nil crocodiles) and we concluded with a late night farewell banquet at Marrakech.