1 hr, 3.0 kms



Finally I reach Tazouda, where I connect with my 2010 hike of the Toundoute oasis, and was touched by the hospitality of folks in this village . But the history of this village goes back a little bit farther that Berber tradition… like maybe 70 million years farther!

See here were discovered the remains of a dinosaur which was taken to France, but is going to be brought back to its native resting place. Three years ago they were working on a museum to put it in, so it should certainly be finished by now. Sure enough, up on the hillside is a tall, elegant structure built with a traditional Moroccan touch and earthy read color: the Dinosaur Mosoleum. I don't know if it’s going to draw many tourists to this out of the way location, but it is nice to see some respect given to the old feller.

And there’s more: later I find out that this particular dinosaur has a peculiar name: Tazoudasaurus. Yep, you heard me right. This humble little village has a dinosaur named after it! Take that, London, Paris, New York… none of you have a dinosaur named after you!

Unfortunately the Mr Tazoudasaurus still hasn’t been laid to rest here, and the mosoleum is still closed… but it’s still nice to see it from the outside. From there, continue on up over the ridge… and down to Toundoute on the other side, and catch a collective taxi back to Skoura.