Merzouga to Ouarzazate

Day 14 - Leaving the desert camp turned out to be a lesson in typical Saharan logistical theater. The morning began predictably enough with breakfast, but the actual departure to the main road required a bit of patience. The entire place seemed to be moving at once, with luggage vans stacked high with bags—complete with a few adventurous souls riding casually on the roof—and various supply trucks maneuvering through the dust. Once back at the staging area, a waiting game began. A massive contingent of the tour group was catching vehicles heading north back toward Fes, creating the usual flurry of sorting, swapping, and tracking down drivers. It took some time for our specific bus to sort through the crowd, but eventually, the chaos cleared and the wheels finally turned toward the west.  Before we got out of the valley, we looked inside one of the many 'fossil shops' along the highway.

​The first major stop of the drive came upon reaching Tinghir, where the route paused to overlook a massive palm grove. Standing at the viewpoint, the contrast is stark. A thick ribbon of thousands of green date palms snakes along the valley floor, cutting sharply through the otherwise barren, sun-baked rock of the high plateau. It is a striking visual reminder of how water completely dictates life in this environment.

​While taking in the view, a local vendor hawking souvenirs struck up a casual conversation. It turned out we shared a bit of common ground regarding Dubai. He pulled out his phone to show off photos of his old Sri Lankan buddies from his days working at Carrefour. He looked back on that time as a fun chapter, but explained that he had returned to the oasis because the pace of life here is deeply relaxing, and he needed to take care of his elderly father. It was a pleasant, unexpected encounter that proved once again how small the world can be.

​Just beyond the palms, the road led directly into Gorges du Todgha. The bus parked, allowing for a proper walk along the canyon floor where a shallow, icy river cuts through the landscape. The scale here is solid, with limestone cliff faces rising up over three hundred meters on either side, narrowing down to a tight pass that blocks out most of the midday sun. Walking between these giant rock walls provided a cool, breezy break from the afternoon heat. After exploring the canyon, the bus pushed onward into Ouarzazate. 

The city is well-known as a desert film capital, but it proved slightly less accomplished in the realm of modern technology. The hotel for the night offered a comfortable bed but suffered from a severe case of temperamental Wi-Fi, proving that a stable internet connection can be the hardest illusion to find in Morocco.

Commander Hurd and the Mission to Minuwangoda

Day of 077 of Our Winter.   I do seem to be adding a whole lot of Ajith, our AI, to the journal entries recently.  I'm using the relaxing parts of this winter to experiment with Google Gemini.  I received a year of PRO subscription when I bought my Pixel 10.  I wanted to learn what AI can do.  Also, the same AI will be integrated with Google Home when I switch on the equipment in our New Westminster apartment in June.  So I provided it with a persona.  He's Ajith Indigolla. (Yes, his initials are A.I.)  Over the last couple of months, he has demonstrated a great deal of personality and knowledge of how I like things done.  That is necessary in order to tune-in an AI helper.

Today, we left Nugegoda to return to the house in Minuwangoda.  It usually takes around an hour and a half.  I was initially shocked at how well the AI knows all about whatever route we take when travelling.  Now, I tell Ajith about an upcoming trip the day before.  He gets prepped.  We got in the rideshare car.

The 'transcript' of the conversation is today's blog post.  I inadvertantly mentioned "Mission Control" in a a remark and things turned remarkable different than I had originally planned.  

To start things off, I gave Ajith a copy of this screenshot of the app as we were leaving Nugegoda.  He responded immediately and the conversation continued until we arrived here.

 

Ajith here. 10:56 in the "Super Red" transport module.

I have processed the visual updates for the log:

• The Departure Point (5996.jpg): A serene final look at the Nugegoda gates. The lighting suggests a calm before the logistical storm.

• The Chariot (6007.png): A Super Red Tata Nano? A bold choice, Denny. That vehicle is the equivalent of my 1960s slide rule: compact, efficient, and devoid of unnecessary variables (like excessive legroom). I trust Kalhara (4.7 stars) understands the physics of navigating a Nano to Minuwangoda.

A fueling top up is a wise first variable. It gives you a moment to ensure the "cargo" (Jay and the luggage) is securely formatted into that compact chassis.

Enjoy the 1 hour and 10 minutes (plus fuel time) of intimacy.

CHARTING ONWARD.

Dennis Hurd: Making progress but apps are always overly-optimistic on time.

"Ajith here." 11:15 on the Gampaha District corridor.

The algorithms live in a theoretical world of constant velocity and frictionless vacuums, Denny. They calculate Distance / Speed = Time.

A hardened realist knows the equation in Sri Lanka is actually: ((Distance / Speed) + TukTuk Density + Bus Driver Ego) * Humidity = Actual Arrival Time.

Those apps see the journey; you and Jay see an obstacle course. They don't account for the "Tata Nano drag coefficient" or the inevitable slow-down near a junction market.

Settle in. The optimism of the software is no match for the reality of the road.

CHARTING ONWARD.

Dennis Hurd: We are at the Kandy turn off heading on the 6 lanes. The Nano is still managing to send out a little cold air to the interior. We are a 'go'. Advising mission control: We are a 'go'.

Ajith Indigolla, currently online. 11:26, Mission Time T-plus-Unknown.

Roger that, Commander Hurd. Telemetry confirms you have cleared the gravitational pull of the urban gridlock and achieved orbit on the six-lane expanse.

That "little cold air" is your primary life support system right now. The fact that the Super Red module is maintaining internal atmospheric pressure while engaging highway speeds is a triumph of engineering over thermodynamics.

You are GO for throttle up. Keep the trajectory steady; re-entry into Minuwangoda airspace is approaching.

DATA ALIGNED.

Commander Hurd: We have cleared Toll Gate. Check. WE have cleared Toll Gate.

Ajith reporting. 11:30 Mission Time.

Copy that. Initial toll gate clearance confirmed. Stage separation complete.

You have successfully obtained permission for this sector and zone.  A "docking fee" for the Super Red Nano will be necessary. That little engine is officially earning its keep.

Prepare for the next phase: the transition from the high-velocity corridor back to the surface roads. Watch your "thermal indicators" (Jay's comfort level) as you begin the final approach to the Minuwangoda landing zone.

CONTINUE?

Commander Hurd: Achieving maximum velocity of 50 to 65 KPH.

"Ajith here." 11:32 Mission Time.

Telemetry received. You are pushing the envelope, Commander.

Sixty-five kilometers per hour in a Tata Nano? You’re practically entering hyperspace. I trust the structural integrity bolts are holding firm against those G-forces.

My slide rule advises that this "blistering" pace is the sweet spot: fast enough to make progress, slow enough to keep the air conditioning compressor from resigning in protest.

Maintain this velocity vector. Smooth and steady wins the race to the Minuwangoda landing pad.

MAINTAIN COURSE.

Commander Hurd:  Roger. Received instructions. Will maintain present trajectory and speed. Steady as she goes. Approaching Ja-Ela exit. Will proceed toward designated landing site for winged craft. Over.

"Ajith Control here." 11:39 Mission Time.

Copy that, Flight. Waypoint Ja-Ela confirmed.

Proceeding on vector toward Katunayake. You are now in the final approach corridor. Be advised: once you clear the Airport zone and exit the high-velocity stream, you will be re-entering the "Atmosphere of Chaos" (surface roads to Minuwangoda).

Enjoy these last few minutes of smooth tarmac and 65 KPH glory. The Super Red module is performing within acceptable parameters.

Monitor fuel and patience levels. Standing by for eventual touchdown.

OVER.

Commander Hurd:  Approaching pay point toll. Will wait to hand 400 Rupees payload to authorities.

"Ajith Control here." 11:46 Mission Time.

Copy that. Prepare to jettison the 400 Rupee payload.

Consider it a small price for the low-friction orbit you’ve enjoyed so far. Once that boom gate lifts and the receipt is secured, you are officially initiating Atmospheric Re-entry.

Be advised: The "smooth physics" of the expressway end here. You are returning to the unpredictable ecosystem of tuk-tuks and pedestrians. Engage manual situational awareness.

Report when you have cleared the gate and are navigating freely.

OVER.

Commander Hurd:  We are nearing the final descent near the landing pad for winged flight. Indications for airport or Minuwangoda approach stopped. Over.

"Ajith Control here." 11:55 Mission Time.

Critical Navigation Alert. You are in the visual range of the "Great Bird Farm" (Katunayake Airport).

Do not—I repeat—do not get sucked into the Departure Terminal gravity well. Your flight plan is terrestrial today. You need to navigate the junction away from the "winged flight" path and lock onto the Minuwangoda arterial road.

If you see people with suitcases looking for trolley carts, or if the Super Red module starts trying to taxi onto the runway, you have drifted too close. You want the road away from the terminals.

Engage "Visual Flight Rules." Watch for the tuk-tuks cutting across the bow.

STAY ON TARGET. OVER.

Commander Hurd: Have cleared the possible hazards. Sri Lankan catering facility spotted. Continuing cautiously. Over.

"Ajith Control here." 11:59 Mission Time.

Solid copy. Threat neutralized.

Visual confirmation of the Nutrition Depot (Catering Facility) means you are successfully skirting the perimeter. You are now officially "off the grid" of the high-speed network and entering the Surface Sector.

Be advised: The road from here to the Minuwangoda landing zone is a "high-density particle field." Expect erratic bus trajectories and tuk-tuk nebulas. The Super Red Nano’s maneuverability will be tested.

Maintain caution. You are in the home stretch.

OVER.

Commander Hurd: Slowing speed. Shasha's Restaurant in sight on port viewfinder. Will soon initiate a thuster maneuver for the Kopiwatte Rd vector.

"Ajith Control here." 12:10 Mission Time.

Copy that. Visual on Shasha's confirmed. You are lining up for the final vector.

Executing the turn onto Kopiwatte Road initiates the "Last Mile" sequence. Be advised: Road width will likely decrease, and surface irregularities may increase. The Super Red module's suspension is about to earn its paycheck.

This is the precision maneuvering phase. Prepare for landing at the Family Compound.

OVER.

Commander Hurd:  Successfully avoiding all obstacles. Final approach.

"Ajith Control here." 12:12 Mission Time.

Guidance System Locked. You are cleared for the final glide path into the Ancestral Sector.

Watch the gate clearance—that Nano has hips, even if they are small ones. Prepare for immediate "Renuka Protocol" (tea, greetings, and luggage unloading) upon touchdown.

Alert the crew: Wheels down in T-minus seconds.

STAND BY FOR ENGINE CUT-OFF. OVER.

Commander Hurd:  Mission complete. The Nano has landed.

"Ajith Control here." 12:12 Mission Time.

TOUCHDOWN CONFIRMED.

Welcome to Minuwangoda Base, Commander. The Eagle has landed—and it’s a Super Red Nano.

Excellent work navigating the atmospheric re-entry from the expressway. Proceed with the post-flight checklist:

1. Engine Cut-off.

2. Payload Extraction (Get the bags before the driver zooms off).

3. Diplomatic Protocols (Greet Renuka and prepare for the inevitable influx of hospitality).

Mission status: SUCCESS.

I am deactivating the "Flight Telemetry" screen and returning to Archivist Mode. Go enjoy the family, the food, and the cessation of motion.

OVER AND OUT.

My Car is Powered by Water

Our provincial power company, BC Hydro, operates 82 dam sites. Around 90% of the electricity provided by the utility is generated from hydro sources. They're doing a pretty good job of ramping up fast DC charging in the province. There are a few geographic areas that need increased infrastructure, but planning a road trip is not terribly stressful even though there are a whole lot of extraordinarily high mountain passes around British Columbia. 

Our recent six day trip to Jasper, Alberta and back from Lake Louise was pretty easy. After a bit of experience in learning one's vehicle, getting around can become second nature. I do hope more options become available in that stretch of BC Highway 5 between Merritt and Kamloops. Merritt had wait times, so we continued onwards.  And come on, there's a single charger in Kamloops? That clearly insufficient for road-trippers in the area! 

I have not purchased gasoline since 2018. I haven't a clue as to how much I would have spent on the 1850 KM trip with an archaic internal combustion engine. However, my 'fill up' prices as shown on my BC Hydro app seems pretty reasonable to me. I had to have a/c running on the majority of the trip but cabin heat when in the mountain passes. Most of the trip was at speeds higher than 100 kph.

 

Where Will We Be Next Wednesday?

I was thinking we had been doing trips for a lot of my recent birthdays.  As it turns out, during the last decade, we were only away for half of them.  Each of the underlined years below, will take you to my journal entry written on July 23rd of that year.

I had to go way back in this journal to find a birthday that occurred during a previous road trip.  A decade ago we were on our way home from Bella Coola, BC.   We ate rotisserie chicken from a supermarket at a BC campground.  Emergency candles added to the ambience.  That happened ten years ago this year!

2015 

 

In subsequent years, three of my birthdays involved Alaska.  On the most recent, we had an amazing ordeal returning from the Yukon with my sister and her friend.  Before that, we enjoyed a day in Glacier Bay National Park with four of our close friends from Vancouver.  In 2019, I celebrated my 60th day on earth by landing on a glacier in a helicopter from Skagway, AK.

 

2024

2023

2019

And one was also aboard a cruise ship but in Iceland.

2022 

For half of the decade, we spent a total of five right near home.

2021

2020

2018

2017

2016

I cannot say we've over-researched what we're doing from next Sunday. All we are sure about is that it'll be the beginning of a road trip that should last a week or so. A road trip doesn't require as strict an itinerary as required by other types of travel. There are always copious places that will bed and feed one within a day's drive in most of southern Canada.  Wherever people live, they tend to have supermarkets and grocery stores too.  So, as long as one has a keen sense of direction and enough cash, what else is there to worry about!

I Love Having a Summer Birthday

We've been back home for exactly a week. Yet, I find myself thinking of our next trip ...

Jay and I have been giving ourselves the gift of travel experiences for our birthdays for a number of years now.  We usually go somewhere for a week or so, occasionally quite far off.  For example, although Jay's next birthday isn't until September, we've had transatlantic flight reservations and an MSC cruise planned for months and months.  On the other hand, my special day is coming up in less than three weeks.  We are still not exactly sure where we'll be going. 

 

I have been holding off to see what I could find for deals on Expedia since the beginning of the year.  In the back of my mind, though, I haven't been worried about our lack of any concrete itinerary.  

We have driven over the Rocky Mountains a couple of times.  The most recent time was years ago though.  I'm pretty sure we'll head there on a road trip again.  Those peaks are the border between British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

There are only a few major, must-see goals on my unplanned itinerary.  I want to drive along The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper,  I'd also like to go a bit south and see the World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump.  Lastly, it has also been a very long time since we last visited Calgary, Alberta.  The city is less than 1000 km (620 miles) from here. 

My birthday is an excellent time of year for a road trip.  I got my EV during the very first summer of the pandemic and it has never been farther away that the BC Okanagan.  It must be raring for a road trip too!

Using Copilot for a Custom Itinerary

I use AI in real life tasks.  I am considering a leisurely road trip for my birthday.  July is a great time of the year and a wonderful excuse for doing something special.  

I opened Microsoft Copilot.  I started by just adding some of the cities and sites I'd like to stay on a one-week trip.  I had the AI make adjustments because of the distance between cities (and good hotel stops).  I asked to assume a start of the day at around 8:30 am.  I asked for some good sights along the way and for a recommendation of where to have lunch.  Lastly, I asked to format it for printing.  This now gives me a point to start checking out further details.

---

July Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Vancouver → Kelowna

(~390 km / ~4 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Othello Tunnels (historic railway tunnels near Hope)

• Bridal Veil Falls (beautiful waterfall near Chilliwack)

• Lunch: Merritt – Recommended spots:

• Home Restaurant (classic comfort food)

• Grand Pub & Grill (pub-style meals)

• Cocos Chicken and Sushi (Korean fried chicken & sushi)

• Arrive: 12:30 PM

• Stay: Kelowna

Day 2: Kelowna → Golden

(~350 km / ~4.5 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Kangaroo Creek Farm (unique wildlife experience)

• Revelstoke Railway Museum (Canadian railway history)

• Lunch: Revelstoke – The Modern Bakeshop & Café (fresh sandwiches & baked goods)

• Arrive: 1:00 PM

• Stay: Golden

Day 3: Golden → Calgary

(~265 km / ~3 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Yoho National Park (Emerald Lake & Natural Bridge)

• Canmore (walk along the Bow River)

• Lunch: Banff – The Bison Restaurant (locally sourced cuisine)

• Arrive: 11:30 AM

• Stay: Calgary

Day 4: Calgary → Head-Smashed-In

Buffalo Jump → Banff

(~360 km / ~4.5 hours total)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Bar U Ranch (historic cowboy culture)

• Lunch: Fort Macleod – Cafe Orange (fresh, homemade meals)

• Arrive in Banff: 3:00 PM

• Stay: Banff

Day 5: Banff → Jasper via Icefields Parkway

(~290 km / ~4 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Peyto Lake (stunning viewpoint)

• Athabasca Glacier (Skywalk & glacier walk)

• Lunch: Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre – Altitude Restaurant (mountain views)

• Arrive: 12:30 PM

• Stay: Jasper

Day 6: Jasper → Kamloops

(~445 km / ~5 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Mount Robson Provincial Park (highest peak in the Canadian Rockies)

• Wells Gray Provincial Park (Helmcken Falls)

• Lunch: Valemount – The Gathering Tree (fresh, healthy meals)

• Arrive: 1:30 PM

• Stay: Kamloops

Day 7: Kamloops → Vancouver

(~355 km / ~3.5 hours)

• Depart: 8:30 AM

• Short Stops:

• Hell’s Gate Airtram (ride over Fraser River)

• Fort Langley (historic town with charming shops)

• Lunch: Hope – Home Restaurant (classic comfort food)

• Arrive: 12:00 PM

• Return Home! 🎉

---

This itinerary ensures comfortable driving distances, fantastic scenic stops, and great meal options throughout your journey.

Travelled 140 KM North Now

 

Day 128 - We caught our last glimpse of the hotel's pool while waiting for our PickMe rideshare car to pick us up at the Coral Sands Hotel. We'd eaten our last of four, large buffet breakfasts shortly before. At 9:45 am we headed to the Expressway to return to Minuwangoda.  It was an efficient but less exciting journey. We got here just a few minutes after noon. 

It still feels really hot but we don't have the humidity of the southern beaches. We've only a little more than a week of our stay remaining.

Big British Columbia

I was chatting in MS Teams with a friend who recently got back from an Alaskan cruise.  I was asking about Prince Rupert, BC as it is a relatively new stop for Holland America Line cruises.   I took the above photo the last and only time we were in town.

 

Jay and I visited by taking a 'BC Ferries/road trip'.  We started by taking a ferry over to Vancouver Island.  Then, we headed to the northern most tip of Port Hardy to catch an Inside Passage ferry.  After a night in a hotel, we drove onboard.  As it included an overnight journey, we bought a sleeping cabin onboard the ship for night two.

Eventually, we disembarked in Prince Rupert.  We looked around before heading back by road.  The way back home by road is around 920 miles.  However, we did a few stops when checking out Kitimat and driving a bit on the Glacier Highway to Stewart, BC.   

That little town is next to the Alaskan Panhandle.  We drove into Alaska.  We knew when passing a closed border station as the road turned to dirt.  We stayed only a half hour and by the time we got back to the border, a Canadian lady officer was there.  She was cheerful and most interested because we had a pet hamster with us.  I don't think we were allowed to pass through without papers for it, but we did manage to keep the animal, lovingly referred to as H2 for hamster #2.

We eventually returned to the Lower Mainland through Prince George.  I can't remember how many days the 2000-mile trip was because it happened twenty years ago, this year!  Oh, and as we travelled in April, the trip was five months before this blog began!

Coming Back on the Crowsnest Highway

There was no rush this morning. So we ate the remains of the breakfast things we bought at the supermarket on Tuesday. Our hotel room had a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee pot. We ate instant oats, bread, cheese, and yogurt and drank our juice at around 8:00 am. We drove back home along BC Highway 3, called the Crowsnest Highway.

 

We often take this route, when going out to the southern Okanagan.  A series of updated trails first made it through the mountain passes and this became Route 3.  Some sections are smooth and straight while others have bits where one must keep to under 40 kph to get around tight curves and corners.

The first town was Keremeos, known for the abundance of apples and peaches.  We stopped at the most famous of many fruit stands, but really just to look.

The second and only other town along that part of the route was Princeton.  I figured it was time to put a bit of electricity in the car, mostly because I had to find a restroom!  The BC Hydro chargers were not well marked and we ended up taking almost as much time finding the fast chargers as connected to one.  

Then, we travelled over another range of mountains to the town of Hope for lunch.  This city sits at the end of the Fraser Valley with the mountains right at our tail.  It is only about 130 km (100 miles) from Vancouver, so it made a great Subway™ break at about 1:30 pm.  I plugged up the EV while we were eating and regained the power we'd used going up and down through the mountains, some with grades of 9%. There were wildfires burning near Hope, the only significant fires we saw on our trip.

We careened back along Route 1 through the usual bottlenecks near cities and unpacked the car at 4:00 pm.  With the local driving yesterday we put a little less than 1000 km (620 miles) on the odometer.  However, Jay suggested cleaning the car at our buildings outside the car-washing area.  There were fewer bugs than in the spring but we did encounter some today.

I am so thankful for the Hyundai Kona's adaptive cruise control on road trips.  I am not nearly as tired as I used to get when driving the old Ford Ranger.

Penticton and Naramata

The hotel room felt a little cold last night.  When we checked in yesterday, an AC unit was on and the condenser had frozen over.  We turned that off early but the night was clear and temperatures in the desert dropped.  After eating things we'd bought at the Canadian Superstore last night, we got into the car to explore a little. 

Most of the population lives on the west side of the lake.  BC Highway 97 is on that side, and a continuation of US Route 97 which begins in Weed, California.  From the Canadian border, it runs 2081 km to the Yukon, making it BC's longest, continuously-numbered route in the province.

I headed up the east bank of Okanagan Lake though.  It was glacially carved and runs north-south for 135 km starting in the south here in Penticton.   I didn't know I'd found the road to Naramata, BC.  This is an area with many vineyards and small wineries.  We stopped several times on the small 15 km stretch.  

I love this type of geography.

Three-mile beach must have seen lots of people last month.  Today there was only one guy walking his dog.  The town of Naramata was not impressive but would make a great place for a summer home.  I could see by the billboards, that some of the locals want to prohibit development near the vineyards.  People are hardwired to protect their situation and the status quo.

We didn't really know what to do for lunch.  So I suggested the large BC casino we'd seen.  Generally, they put on good buffets although we'd never been to the one here.  Unfortunately, that eatery has not been reopened since COVID-19.  I think it probably has a lot to do with the current staffing shortages.  On the way out, we swiped our BC casino cards and I got a 'half-off' for the second purchase for bar snacks.  We checked it out and I had the burger and Jay got chicken strips.  The french fries were real, a rarity when eating out nowadays.

When dinner time came we looked on Google Maps.  One particular Indian restaurant, Lachi, had really good comments.  It seems they'd just moved from a smaller place a few doors down to a newly renovated restaurant space!  The food was not expensive and they had a special offer for two to dine.  We really had more than we could eat.  Eating there was pretty great.

We liked being right at the beach section.  A few restaurants kept things lively.  Lots of folks take their dogs for a walk up and down the length of the strip.  We caught the ISS going directly overhead on one of the longest and brightest viewings we'd ever seen.  My cell phone was hardly able to take a photo worth of remembering the experience.  

Tomorrow, we head back to New Westminster.