This morning was our last day on the bus - moving from Essaouira to our final destination: Marrakesh. We stopped on the edge of the city at Saaid’s apartment, his wife & baby came down to greet us and gave us some freshly baked chocolate muffins! She was sorry she couldn’t invite us in for … Continue reading Day 30: Marrakesh

A day off! Originally I thought, “What? A day on a tour and nothing planned?” But what a joy not to have to get up on a schedule, breakfast on a schedule, leave on a schedule; especially after a late night last night and little sleep the night before. I slept in till 8am, had … Continue reading Day 29: Essaouira

Well I survived the night. Ended up wearing 3 layers of clothes and had 4” of blankets but I was cozy. The bad news is 2 of my roommates were champion snorers so it was not a good sleep… Yesterday we trekked up a hiking/donkey path to our gîte located at 6240’, today we had … Continue reading Day 28: Essaouira

Abdul, our driver, figuring out the luggage jigsaw Groundhog Day today, back in the bus for an early start into the High Atlas Mountains. We took a back road as the main route had construction delays so we enjoyed a very winding back road through a narrow gorge with steep, rocky cliffs and a village … Continue reading Day 27: Aremd

Last look at the Todra Valley we walked One of the “1000” villages en route The High Atlas Mountains in the distance At our customary morning stop for coffee and souvenirs I saw this very organized snack shop: Then another couple of hours driving…. Until we reached our end stop: Aït Ben Haddou. This area … Continue reading Day 26: Aït Ben Haddou

On the road again! After a series of 2 night stays at each stop we now have 3 of moving every day. It becomes more of a challenge remembering where we and what we’re doing, thank goodness Saaid keeps us on track! He gave us an option to stop at a fossil factory (?). This … Continue reading Day 25: Todra Gorge

A full day at the edge of the Sahara here in Mergouza. Nine of our group signed up for the optional 4x4 Land Cruiser excursion which promised more cultural and educational value than thrills but that still sounded great. 3 vehicles took off from our hotel, each taking its on path as we speeded around … Continue reading Day 24: Mergouza

Longest day on the road of the trip today, 11 hours. We headed south from Fés, traversing the Middle Atlas, Atlas and came within sight of the Anti Atlas Mountains on our way to the Sahara at the town of Merzouga. We had a stop to see the “wild” macac monkeys, the same kind as … Continue reading Day 23: Merzouga

Saaid, our G guide, is in the middle bottom A full day sightseeing Fés today. We met up with Abdul, our local guide at 9a and started at the Royal Palace (just a look at the outer gates), a walk along a tiny bit of the 14km wall surrounding the Old City, a stop at … Continue reading Day 22: Fés

Today’s first destination was the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, a 4 hr drive south. After 2 hours we left the Rif mountains and valleys and entered flat plains of farina (the finest wheat) and barley. The mist was back, a heavy layer that hung low until just before our stoping. The conquering Romans first … Continue reading Day 21: Fés