Merzouga — the gateway to the Sahara Desert

The cool light in this image isn't just the setting sun, but the moment the desert transforms from golden to orange-red before slowly sinking into darkness. The Erg Chebbi dunes, which reach heights of up to 150 meters, are one of Morocco's most iconic landscapes. Tourists from around the world flock to Merzouga to witness this seemingly ordinary phenomenon. It's truly a sunset in the desert. Local Berbers say the dunes were born from a curse from a past era. A once-thriving city was resolutely unhelpful to strangers seeking food, water, and shelter. God then caused a massive sandstorm to engulf the city, leaving behind the massive waves of sand we see today. This legend serves as an important lesson: While the desert is harsh, it's the spirit of kindness that keeps people alive. Evenings in Merzouga are often eerily quiet, with only the sound of the wind and the crunch of footsteps on the sand. Many sit on the dunes' ridges, letting their shadows cast a long line across the sand, reminiscent of a historical trace. Others choose to ride camels along the ancient trade caravan route connecting Africa and the Mediterranean. It's a simple image, but it's full of layers of meaning. The journey of light, the legends of the people, and the silence that teaches us that the world is too vast for humans to control. #morocco #desert #saharadesert