This morning we docked in Agadir and traveled via 4WD into the Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains. Though sadly we didn't get the chance to interact much with the local people, we did learn a bit about this predominantly agricultural area when honey and the highly regarded Argan Oil distinct to Morocco is produced. We stopped for a mint tea and honey tasting and watched our waiter pour tea in the traditional way, with the teapot magically suspended 2 ft or so above the cup as the liquid cascaded into the cup without spilling a drop.
Then we proceeded on a panoramic drive on a nicely paved winding mountain road with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. We stopped at a restaurant atop one of the hillsides for an incredible Moroccan lunch with vegetable tagine, meat skewers and couscous with Argan oil. It was probably the best food I've had all trip (and that's really saying something on this gourmet cruise!).
After lunch we circled back down thru the mountains to a bumpy dirt road that finally explained the need for the 4WD. Here we continued for 30 minutes or so past some small villages to the site of the oldest collective beekeeping operation still in use near to Inzerki. It's only used during the summer so we weren't able to talk with any of the local cooperative members.
