The day is here — we are headed into the Sahara for an overnight desert camping experience, sure to be a highlight of our entire 15-day tour of Morocco.

We stop a few times along the way to admire the landscape, which reminds me of the American Southwest — mesas and canyons and rich desert colors glowing in the sun.

Fun poses over a spectacular landscape:

We kill a few hours at this resort before our Sahara experience — enjoying lunch, lounging by the pool, and getting our last wifi fix for a few days.

Sisters Natalie and Ellen pose for the camera. Have I mentioned how fun these Aussie girls are? They’re currently on a major trip around Europe and I love following their adventures.

Today’s lunch is included in the tour — a spread of Berber pizza, olives, veggies, chicken, and caramel creme for dessert.

Pool time!

Australians in Morocco — Tally, Ellen, and Karen smile by the pool.

Enough relaxing… it’s time to get on with our desert trek. Bring on the camels!

This poor dude is stuck carrying all the water:

The camels are attached nose-to-butt in a long line-up. One by one we climb atop and prepare to take off. It’s about an hour ride to the camp where we’ll spend the night.

Tally is in front of me; she kindly turns around to snap this photo of me in action, clicking away. I am so grateful for candids like this since most photos of me are selfies. Thanks, Tally!

Unbeknownst to me, Karen also snaps a photo of me in action. I love traveling with other photographers! Thank you, Kazwaah!

Castles in the desert:

Not long into our camel trek, the wind picks up and a sandstorm sweeps in. We’re pelted with tiny grains of sand that stick to us and our belongings for days. I swear I’m still washing that stuff out of my hair.

At times the sandstorm gets so bad I have to put my camera away and clutch onto the camel for dear life. Luckily my GoPro is within reach and I capture video. Check out this footage:

Intense, right? The sandstorm comes and goes, and after awhile it begins RAINING. In the Sahara. We picked quite a day to arrive.

Once the wind dies down, our guide Mohamed and the other hosts kindly grab our cameras to take photos.

Approaching camp… thankfully the wind and rain have nearly stopped.

Hi Ellen!

At this point I ask Mohamed if he’ll take my GoPro and run up to the front of our camel parade to get shots of everyone passing by. He’s game!

Here’s the video of our camel caravan:

Many thanks to videographer Mohamed!

One last look at our camel buddies:

And here’s our home for the night, those tents in the distance below.

More from the desert tomorrow!

Thanks to Nomadic Tours for discounting my tour in exchange for photography and blogging. Opinions are my own.