Fossil factory at Erfoud Morocco
Fossil factory in Erfoud
Our next stop on our tour of Morocco was at one of the fossil outlets in Erfoud. There appears to be an abundance of a range of different fossils to be found in the nearby desert. The factory and obligatory retail outlet we went through was the Macro Fossiles Kasbah as shown in today’s photos.
On our guided tour I found out that there are millions of fossils in the area, mostly trilobites but also a variety of other fossilised creatures. This factory finds the fossils, cuts them into various shapes and polishes them ready for sale in the adjoining shop. The range of items for sale is amazing. It includes small items like key rings, plates, bowls and dishes, wah basins, fountains, tables and much more.
I would love to have bought one of the wonderfully polished tables, but the cost of buying it would have blown our holiday budget. The cost of shipping it to Australia would have added greatly to the cost. I could but dream. (I also had the same feelings in the ceramic factory in Fes – see here for photos.)
I will show more photos of this factory and the shop in coming days.
Further reading:
- Website of Macro Fossiles Kasbah Please note that this website is not in English
- Website Achour Fossils Erfoud An excellent website in English with many photos, a short video and instructions for ordering.
Fossil factory in Erfoud
Fossil factory in Erfoud
Fossil factory in Erfoud
Hazards of travel: Using squat toilets
No Comments »2nd December, 2006; Category: General
Most travel agents, travel books and travel articles gloss over the lesser delights of travel in many parts of the world. The reality is less than glamorous. The reality can be confronting. The reality often stinks.
I am speaking of squat toilets, a harsh reality in many parts of the world. On my trip to Thailand I was not faced with any problems but Nepal was another matter. On the trek through the Himalayas we experienced the challenges of numerous squat toilets. These included well-kept, mostly clean, cement-floored ceramic basin type toilets with an accompanying bucket of water. At the other end of the scale we encountered small smelly huts on the side of the track. These were no more than a few rickety floorboards with several boards missing; a pile of dry leaves in the corner was a toilet paper substitute (but we had our own) and no water.
Coping with this can be confronting to inexperienced travellers. The guide books are often silent on the protocols. What does one do? What are acceptable procedures? How does one manage this situation with dignity intact?
All these questions – and much more – are answered in this wonderfully useful, honest and forthright article:
- How to use a squat toilet – by Frank Bures.