Is this Shangr-La? Can it be.......?

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Hi everyone - I'm a little behind in the blog - sorry about that. Today was a travel day and we are now in Iceland - I LOVE Iceland but I don't love being behind in the blogs, LOL!

Yesterday, we left early morning in the 4 x 4 Explorers, heading for the Atlas Mountains. The photos speak for themselves - but some of the interesting things along the way included:

1) the cactus - I love seeing cactus flowers
2) the kids - all very happy to see us and gave us smiles and big waves
3) the animals - saw lots of goats, sheep, donkeys, etc.
4) the road edges, as we climbed the mountains, that dropped off to......nothing
5) the vistas - the combinations of the snow-capped mountains, the desert, the terrain that changed with every turn in the road
6) the people along the roadside
7) the sky that seemed to go on forever - blue and soft clouds
8) the stories that went along with each village
9) the house that was painted white because the husband had gone to Mecca for his pilgrimage according to the laws of Islam
10) the para-sailers, jumping off the mountain side - very cool!
11) the lake that appeared, as if by magic, in the middle of the desert
12) and, of course, our destination!

The lunch that we had was superb - very much enjoyed by everyone - many felt it was the best meal of the entire trip. We thanked the chefs with gratuities and a rousing rendition of Oh Canada - it was very moving - one of the chefs was very close to tears. It was a special moment!

Lunch consisted of a mixed salad (to die for!!!), a vegetable tagine, grilled chicken/beef sausages and kafta (minced meat). So very delicious - along with rice - and fresh fruit for dessert. That, along with the sunshine, the view, the company, the wine (of course!) - made for a day of memories.

The ride back was much faster as we took a short cut - the ride up to the mountains took us a leisurely 2 hours. I loved it!

Once back at the hotel, we all had the rest of time 'at leisure'. Most of us headed to the Medina (market) to bargain - we crossed paths with each other throughout the market - everyone was having so much fun.

The sun set - and we headed back for a quiet evening at the hotel. And that was pretty much it for the day - a full day - but a magnificent one at that!

Many of us (mostly me!!!! LOL) were really looking forward to the next step in our journey - heading to Iceland (where we are now, and from where I am writing this!) - it has been so HOT and HUMID in all the other countries - as I sit here now, in my Iceland hotel room, with the window open - I can feel the fresh air and hear the winds blow. Ahhhhhhhh........

So, goodnight to all! (Good night, Mom - I love you and can hardly wait to see you in just 2 sleeps!)

(P.S. - Ila and Gord Giffen want to send birthday wishes to Tyler and Bonnie. "Love you! It's truly been the trip of a lifetime. Mom & Dad")

See you back here with more blogs........stay tuned! Still loving all your comments - and I chuckle when I read that many of you are now totally addicted to this blog and wondering what you are all going to do as of this weekend, LOL! I know what I'm doing and where I'll be!

(P.S. - have a look at the 2 photos that I added to this particular blog post - one is of a waiter that we had at our special evening dinner - and the other is of my Mom, from an outing this past summer - see what these 2 have in common, LOL!)

(Love ya, Mom - see you very soon! Only 1 more sleep!)

Love ya all -

Happy Pat

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Comments

[Donna Clrk]

Shangr-La
Wonderful to see a picture of your Mom, Pat. I'm sure she will be so happy to see you! It is true that your blogs will be missed! You have such a way of writing that it makes us feel part of your trip. Safe travels!

[staci blank]

Travel Safely
Safe journey home to all of you , Thanks for the ride. xoxo

[Dorothy Carswell]

Your pictures are fantastic.
What ever will I do without your blogs. What a dream trip. Thanks to you.

[Dave]

Thanks!
It's really wonderful to experience, albeit vicariously, the many adventures you folks have had on what must have been (to date) a fantastic trip! I'm sure those of us at home who look forward to reading your daily blogs will have to find other things to do when you're all back in Canada. Thanks for providing us with such vivid descriptions of your trip! Perhaps one of these days....I'll just have to keep buying those Super Max and 649 tickets! Well done, and, once again, thanks so much for doing such an excellent job!!! The blog has been a "great read", one I've looked forward to every day.

[Meran Farmer]

the end of the great trip
Pat, I really enjoyed reading your daily blog...it was ALMOST as good as being there in person!! You did a fantastic job of photos and daily descriptions...just loved them. I'm glad that Brenda 'spa'd her way around the world!! ha ha. Have a great trip home! All good things must come to an end but you have some wonderful memories. Looking forward to being with my BF Brenda (tell her Doug & I have found a great gentleman that she may like to get to know!! LOL!!! ...as if!)

[Ann-Marie Cheung]

Love the photos
I've really been enjoying the photos of your travels Pat. It's starting to give me that travel itch again thinking about my own adventurous times in the past. Thanks!