Topic: TAR 25 Speculation and Discussion **of Spoilers**

[runningblind]

Phil just posted another pic on instagram here -- looks to be Morocco again.

I think the castle he's at is this one, there's some closer shots of it here but I can't for the life of me find what it's called

Google maps from one of your links shows me the name Barrage Lalla Takerkoust

And a picture from a better angle: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@31.397409,-8.107532,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s48670148!2e1!3e10

[ovalorange]

^^ I think that's the name of the nearby lake, not so much as the name of the actual place...

[runningblind]

Maybe it's this hotel: http://staging.vacenza.com/la-kasbah-igoudar-318440.en-us.html

Looking atthe close up I don't think it's this.

[Prama]

Phil posted another pic on his instagram:

[purefluff]

Interesting that Phil has chosen to help keep us apprised of his whereabouts during the actual running of the race.  They are controlling the spoilers now, quite a difference.  I think it's kind of cool that they are embracing it so whack jobs like Miss Cleo don't control the narrative. 

[georgiapeach]

If you can't beat us, join us! 

[philfan]

Looks like it could be Ait Benhaddou.

[theschnauzers]

If you can't beat us, join us! 

Or play a contemporary version of "where in the world is Carmen SanDiego?"

I'm more or less pleased at the change in approach we're seeing this time around. I've said for a long time that knowing who the teams are and what locations they get to don't tell us much of the real story of each Race. It is the how and why in each leg that makes it fascinating to watch and learn from, and if that means we're also getting away from melodrama, so much the better. There's enough drama in the Race as it is and we don't need the manufactured sort.

[georgiapeach]

Looks like it could be Ait Benhaddou.

Awesome!! This looks like a great match to me!
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&l=en&id_site=444&gallery=1&&maxrows=28

to RFF, philfan!!

[MrDeerShank]

^ Already covered on the previous page

[georgiapeach]

^ Already covered on the previous page

You were looking at the first pic though, right? I am not convinced they are the same locations. Are you? Can you show me?

[georgiapeach]

Great. Now I will be spending the next 4 months hoping that the TAR gods are good and we get an a la TAR 5 camel safari to Ait Ben Haddou. At sunset.

Greedy, aren't I??

Looks like just finding their way to Phil will be a challenge!

[MrDeerShank]

^ Already covered on the previous page

You were looking at the first pic though, right? I am not convinced they are the same locations. Are you? Can you show me?

It's what I got from the German Wikipedia page for Ait-Ben-Haddou found via Google Image search

[georgiapeach]

I just can't find this view there at all....

[DrRox]

Peach.........

I think that is on the top of the hill/mountain behind the other place. On the link you posted yesterday

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g304011-w8-Ait_Ben_Haddou_Souss_Massa_Draa_Region.html#99297272

on the page that has pics 43-48.......I think pic 48 shows it good. I got tired of looking at about the 100th pic. There are almost 1700 pics listed there. Seems to me that Phil was standing at the place at the foot of the mountain and took the pic of the place on top of the mountain.

[georgiapeach]

I know! I have looked at a zillion too. The trouble  is that that are many many of these ruins built into the hills...this could be anywhere. I just am not seeing it for Ait Ben Haddoo. No poplars.
 
This is #48 and Phil's:

[Tar25fan]

Did they leave Morocco yet??

[DrRox]

I know! I have looked at a zillion too. The trouble  is that that are many many of these ruins built into the hills...this could be anywhere. I just am not seeing it for Ait Ben Haddoo. No poplars.
 
This is #48 and Phil's:

Well it could just be the angle....or maybe Phil went on a hike and that is the backside. Having lived in N. Africa.......I doubt they are poplars up on that hill, unless they have a heck of a cistern and irrigation..........most likely an evergreen, like a cedar. But it doesn't really make a difference for our purposes.

Looked on Google Earth........and no trees at that place up on top.

[Tar25fan]

Is the guy in blue in the corner of the picture taken on June 9th in the palace Jim??
What about the dancer?? Is she a contestant? Probably not, but if so, I think it's Alli.

[Bookworm]

It doesn't look like Ait Benhaddou. Ait Benhaddou is more of a city-like complex, while the building Phil's picture is too small. Ait Benhaddou is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Marrakech, it is actually quite close to Ourzazate (TAR10).

[claude_24hrs]

It doesn't look like Ait Benhaddou. Ait Benhaddou is more of a city-like complex, while the building Phil's picture is too small. Ait Benhaddou is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Marrakech, it is actually quite close to Ourzazate (TAR10).

Yep, you're right.

I know! I have looked at a zillion too. The trouble  is that that are many many of these ruins built into the hills...this could be anywhere. I just am not seeing it for Ait Ben Haddoo. No poplars.
 
This is #48 and Phil's:

These photos are quite different and I agree with DrRox.

[wishicouldrun]

Any chance this is Egypt? They have many small temples that are similar in size and shape.

[selkie]

Given current volatile political conditions, I suspect the insurance company won't let them go to Egypt right now.

[selkie]

Given current volatile political conditions, I suspect the insurance company won't let them go to Egypt right now, even if they could find a flight/transportation routing that bypasses Cairo in favor of the generally safe & stable Red Sea beach resorts.

[HollywoodCory]

Any chance this is Egypt? They have many small temples that are similar in size and shape.

Nope. I'm familiar with the many Egyptian temples and that doesn't ring a bell. Besides, as someone already said it probably still is too unstable there for a visit.