Adventures of an Old Broad... Abroad: Morocco - A Country That Captures Your Heart

Where to start? I had no idea what to expect and was a bit apprehensive with the world being what it is currently as well as being on a tour bus with a bunch of people I didn't know. It turned out my apprehension was unfounded. I really thought this would be a one up (and it still may be with time constraints) but I do hope to return to this amazing country.

What I didn't expect was that I would end up just loving everyone on the bus! I really feel I lucked out and having met some people from other groups, I KNOW I did! We all got along well, laughed a lot and had amazing experiences together. I will miss my new friends.

So Morocco.....

I did a brief blog on Casablanca and besides the Hassan II Mosque and the fake Rick's Cafe (made after the film and I didn't go there), there is really not that much to see and we left to head out to our next destination fairly quickly.

I cannot possibly go through all that has occurred in the last 10 days so a very brief synopsis (and many photos) will have to do. One thing I would like to mention is the people of this country and how friendly and accepting they are. There is a mix of Muslim, Jewish and French people living here as well as Africans and other Europeans in what seems like harmony and peace. The country is literally alive with culture and the art, smells of spice, activity in the souks, food, and genuineness of its people cannot be explained in this blog. It affected and impressed me deeply.

After Casablanca we visited Rabat's Kasbah of Oudayas where many people still reside and is on the sea, the Phoenician city of Asilah and spent the night in Tangier where I wish we could have spent more time. It's on the sea and is beautiful.

Kasbah of Oudayas

Also the Kasbah of Oudayas

Royal Guard Outside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V just before the horse on the left went crazy and almost ran into me and Gim

A View from the mausoleum of the new Mohammed VI Tower - Third tallest building in Africa.

Sunset in Asilah

Tangier at Night

From there we traveled over the Rif mountains to Chefchouen high in the mountains then on to Fez where we saw the royal palace and the Medina as well as the souk and went to a leather factory where everyone was given sprigs of mint when they went in. It became obvious when we entered why we needed the mint and it's too bad no one thought to take a photo of all of us with mint stuck in our noses. (Just FYI, the mint didn't help with the awful smell of the tanning vats. Yuk! I didn't buy any leather!

The amazing Blue City

A lot of cats. People in Morocco love cats and take good care of them. They're even at the airport!

Driving through the Rif Mountains

Leaving Chefchouen

Fez and the Medina . . .

The Semmarin Medina Gate in Fez

A pottery painter

The smelly leather tannery

Next stop - Erfoud where many from our group stayed in a hotel and a few brave (or crazy) souls ventured into the Sahara. We loved everything about it - the camel ride to watch the sunset, the meal, our beautiful tents (one of my favorite rooms from the whole trip), the music and dancing which started with one of the Berber musicians dancing and was soon joined by a very lively and intoxicated group of Canadians (they brought their own wine as Berber people don't drink alcohol) and finally our group joined (yes, the got me up and dancing too!). Then we went away from camp to lie in the sands of the Sahara and stargaze. Magical!!


Berber man dancing around the fire

The best night sky photo I've taken

If I remember correctly we then went to Ourzazate which is used as a location for many films. We went to a film museum there to see props from many films from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator, parts of Star Wars, the Mummy, the Raiders of the Lost Ark films and others. The museum was interesting props and fun but the highlight of the day was the kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO world heritage site and very cool. Then once again through the High Atlas mountains and on the Marrakech.

Todra Gorge in the High Atlas Mountains

Along the way

Some movie props and rooms from the museum

Tifoultoute Kasbah which we were unable to visit due to renovations.

Kasbah of Aid Benhaddou

There are many photos (too many) of Marrakech but I'm just adding a few. There was damage sustained from the earthquake and the country is working hard to repair the wall, the palace and other areas that were damage but the photos are mostly of the Medina and souks which are different than those from Fez but time to stop - at least for now.