Hi everyone,
So, we have been to Morocco and back through London and we are now in Vancouver. We thought that now would be as good a time as any to do a post for Morocco so here goes.
We started with a ridiculously early flight to Marrakesh which we had to wake up at 2:00am for. Once arriving we were so wiped out that we got to the hotel and fell asleep for the next 4 hours or so waking up in time to have a wander in the last few hours of daylight. Marrakesh is an amazing city and our highlight would have to be the Djemaa al-Fna which is a sqaure in the heart of the city that is a hive of activity almost 24 hours a day. The thing to do is to head there in the evening where street vendors have set up shop selling amazing food (probably the best in Morocco). Apart from the square, Marrakesh also has some of the best souqs (markets) as well. We spent hours wandering around getting lost in the small winding lanes which was really cool.
From Marrakesh we headed east to Todra gorge. The 10 hour bus ride there was right through the heart of the High Atlas mountain range which seemed to have and endless array of scenery. Needless to say, the bus ride flew by as we whiled away the hours simply looking out the window at the amazing views. Todra gorge is a massive fault dividing the High Atlas from Jebel Sarhro which rises to up to 300m. We spent a day there walking a 3 hour circuit which was great. One of the highlights of the day was the ride back from the gorge into town. As there was a taxi strike on, we had to wave down a truck for a lift. Upon climbing into the back of the truck, we were greeted with around 12 Moroccan ladies that all thought it was hilarious that these two foreigners were joining them. They laughed at/with us for the entire 20 minutes of the trip. It was a real experience.
The next destination was Fes, one of Morocco’s biggest cities which is famous for it’s Medina (old town) where we spent most of our time in. One of the best sights we visited was the tanneries. The Tanneries area is a series of big mud vats that are used to prepare leather. It stank to high heaven, but it was one of the most interesting places in Fes. We spent a couple of days wandering the city, sampling the food and drinking the coffee. Once again, it was easy to get lost in the Medina, but we think that’s part of the whole experience.
Another quick bus trip and we arrived in the small town of Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen is like the Greek islands of Morocco. It’s streets are iconic for their use of the colours white and blue. The photo’s will explain it way better than I can. Chefchaouen sits right in the middle of the Rif mountains which upon seeing them we both likened to the Grampians in Victoria. We did a day hike to the top of a nearby peak that gave us a 360 view of the surrounding Rif Mountains. Following the instructions in the Lonely Planet, we headed off on a 4 and a half hour ascent which seemed to be the most indirect route ever conceived. It was not all bad, as along the way we were invited to drink tea with some locals that live in the mountains. They walked with us passed the snow line where we had a quick snow fight before arriving at a pass. Another hour and a half was needed to reach the summit. On the way back down we made our own path and found that we could have shaved a third off the climb if we didn’t follow the Lonely Planet.
Heading towards the coast, we arrived at Asilah which is a small but scenic town with a Medina that is built right to the water where the waves crash into the walls. We spent a night there before heading to Meknes to see the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, that were located a little bus ride out of Meknes followed by a 30 minute walk through the surrounding rolling greens.
After that, it was just a 7 hour train back to Marrakesh where we spent a day and a half eating our way through the time bofore flying back to London.
Thats it for now, we will post again once we have settled down in Vancouver a bit more. There has been some big dumps of snow, so that might have to wait until we have skied for a few days.
All the best,
Glen and Robyn
A typical street in Marrakesh
Robyn exploring the intricate carvings of the Ali be Youssef Mosque, Marrakesh
The famous hand-made Moroccan rugs, Marrakesh
The now-ruined city palace has been taken over by storks, Marrakesh
Inside the city palace, Marrakesh
Robs amongst the orange groves inside the city palace, Marrakesh
The smell of spices fill the air throughout the souqs, Marrakesh
Djemaa el-Fna, the famous square in Marrakesh. We spent many hours wandering around and eating here
Robyn tucking into some warm traditional Moroccan soup, Marrakesh
Views of the High Atlas from the bus to Todra
Views of the High Atlas from the bus to Todra
Views of the High Atlas from the bus to Todra
The lush palmeraies dotted with kasbahs, Tinerhir
On the way to explore Todra Gorge, Tinerhir
The start of our 3-hour circuit around the Todra Gorge
The crystal-clear (and very cold) river, Todra Gorge
Hundreds of goats are scattered across the landscape, Todra Gorge
Robs and Glen taking in the magnificent 360 degree views, Todra Gorge
One of many villages found in the Gorge
A panoramic view over Fes
Something we stumbled upon in souqs of Fes
The colors of the famous Tanneries, Fes
One of the workers laying out the skins to dry, Fes
Another typical scene of the Tanneries, Fes
Something good must be going on under this umbrella, Fes
One of the beautiful doors in Fes
The colors of Morroco, Fes
A typical street of blue and white in Chefchaouen
More of the unique painting of Chefchaouen
Prayer time at the Mosque, Chefchaouen
Nobody’s home!!! Chefchaouen
Glen stuffing his face with Moroccan doughnuts (well, we guess that’s what they were), Chefchaouen
Reaching the snow line in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen
Robyn at the summit of Jebel El-Kelaa, Chefchaouen
Not one to be out done - Glen at the summit of Jebel El-Kelaa, Chefchaouen
Relaxing with our favourite Moroccan past time, (drinking coffee) after the Climb to the summit of Jebel El-Kelaa, Chefchaouen
More of the interesting medina, Chefchaouen
The view of Chefchaouen on the way to the summit
An artistic scene in Asilah
The coastal town of Asilah
The impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes
More from Volubilis, Meknes
Robyn eating her Brochettes (Sheesh Kebab) at a great little restaurant in an old home in Meknes