Blogs from Meknès-Tafilalet, Morocco, Africa - page 19

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Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga July 20th 2007

while sipping our mint tea and brainstorming our next destination, we met a spaniard "emilio the great" who too was touring much of the world. he was nice enough to share his thoughts on seeing the high atlas mountains of morocco and the world famous sahara desert. it took all of two minutes for us to re-direct our compass to eastern morocco. due to perilous cliffs on either side of us,the twisting roads at elevation and a driver with an almost spastic pedal foot..we enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smell of 3 fellow passengers sharing their lunch on the floor of the bus. On arrival to the dusty desert town of Ouarzazate at nearly midnight, we quickly found that bus schedules were not in our favor and would be staying two nights. we did meet ... read more
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Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Todra Gorge July 8th 2007

Driving into Todra Gorge is similar to venturing into Zion National Park, one feels very small! Our hotel had a pool and we couldn't be more excited that most of us jumped in before even checking in! By this time, most of us had either some stomach problems or a lot. The options to hike the Gorge or go rock climbing was not an option. But I was feeling pretty good and decided to go climbing. I have never been rock climbıng but I fıgured what the hell, I am strong and it ıs the best rock climbıng in Morocco! So me and my guide, Yussef were on our way after gettıng all the gear and a short safety briefing. First he would go up and set up all the rope and the clips then ıt ... read more

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga July 7th 2007

You know when you are at the edge of the Saraha desert. The sand dunes seems to rise up out of nowhere, and there are camels waiting all lined up waiting for you! Getting on a camel is a bıt of a balancing act, but once you are up there, it is a very cool experience. We headed out about an hour before sunset, and as we headed out to the camp, the colors of the sand change from yellow to orange to terracotta and red. Arriving at the camp some of us ran up and down the dunes, some chilling out, recovering from the camel ride. As dinner was being prepared the stars began to come out and I don't ever recall being able to see that many stars ever in my lifetime. After dinner, ... read more

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga July 6th 2007

Leaving Fez early in the am for the journey west through the Atlas mountains into the Sahara desert. The mountain scenery in Morocco looks more like the Western US, with lots of dramatic red rocks and sparse greenery, and long windy roads against cliff faces. That morning we had 5 hours driving and most of the group were hopped up on Immodium, while I just had 4 bananas, it essentially does the same thing! Halfway through our drive, we stopped in Midelt, high up in the mountains and a hike around a small(ish) canyon and down to the casbah (village with mud houses) to meet some local Berber people. The original peoples of Morocco are made up of 5 tribes, and Berber is one of the biggest. Morocco has been occupied or settled by the Romans, ... read more

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Meknes July 2nd 2007

Getting to know the Moroccan way of life is to know the Medina, which means the old city, usually contained within high walls and a containing a souk, or market. Depending on what you are after, you can find anything from spare car parts, to an eyeglass case, to fruit and vegetables. The souk often has small, uneven, windy streets that you can easily lose yourself in. In Meknes we were escorted through the streets to see butchers displaying various parts of sheep, cow, and camel. Yes, camel. Camel burgers are pretty popular here, and some of the group even tried it out. First, you buy the meat from the butcher, then you take it to the restaurant to be cooked up in pita bread. I didn't try any, of course, but many did, and they ... read more

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Meknes May 30th 2007

What can I say about Choauen? I'd have to say that I like the place and the laid back vibe. All the hash slingers can get annoying at times especially when they follow you around for awile and then magically show up again when you least expect them. I stayed in the medina at Pension Souika and had a decent room for 40 dirhams a night. The place was mostly tile so you could hear every little sound as it reverberated off the floors and walls. I spent three full days or so in Choauen and most of the time it was overcast until the afternoon when it would clear up and the sun would burn it's way through. The medina is built mostly on the side of a hill and it was a decent ... read more
view from window in Kasbah tower in Choauen
 Kasbah tower in Choauen
engraved metal plate in Kasbah museum

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga May 13th 2007

3-13 May Slowly by bus I started to make my way down through the moountains and deserts to the out-of-the-way little town of Merzougha, which doesn't have a lot to offer except that is sits on the edge of the Sahara sand dunes. This took me from the pretty Berber town of Azrou on to another not as pretty Berber town called Midelt, and then to Erfoud and finally to Merzhouga. This travel is all by bus as the train network is concentrated on the north and connecting the major cities. The buses are not too different from any of the other buses I've had in the third world, except on the leg from Azrou to Midelt we stopped at a small town, and passengers getting off collected their baggage and oncoming passengers towed their ... read more
Sahara, so close but so far
Dunes and palms
Use the force, Luke

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Meknes April 29th 2007

27 April Just outside Meknes, and certainly a factor in the selection of the location for Meknes, is the old Roman city of Volubilis that sits out in a wide valley. It was one of the most remote outposts of the Roman Empire and was a flourishing capitol of North Africa between 40-280 AD before being overrun by the local Berber tribes. For nearly 250 years the Romans maintained this city of 20,000 people of Romans, Greeks, Jews, Syrians and Berbers about 1000 miles away from Rome in the midst of locally hostile groups - pretty impressive for a bunch of men in dresses, short skirts and dainty leather sandals! It features almost all of the hallmarks of a major Roman city except for an ampitheater, but it is probably most famous for its stunning ... read more
A little closer
All roads lead to Rome...
...and must include triumphal arches

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Meknes April 28th 2007

24-28 April I took the slow ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar on, thankfully, a sunny and calm day. The ferry now marks the 11th mode of travel for the trip, along with plane, train, bus, rickshaw, bicycle rickshaw, bicycle, motorcycle, kayak, motorboat and car. It was pleasantly shocking to be back in the third world, specifically Tangier, Morocco. Not so pleasant as to stay here for long, so I made my way straight for the train station and rolled on to one the three Imperial cities of Morocco - Meknes. After scrambling late on the first night to find a hotel room (stupid international agricultural forums!) I woke the next morning pleasantly surprised to find that the King of Morocco was in town to welcome me to his country! Well, he has no idea ... read more
Waiting for the king
A colorful crowd outside the main gate
Entrance to Moulay Ismail's tomb

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga April 21st 2007

Just back from my trekking trip!! Morocco has amazing landscapes.. in one day, went from warm lowlands to high mountains to snowcapped views. Then the next day on a camel in the Sahara!!!!!! Most of the trip spent on the 4x4, so it was a little boring. It was a nice group though, met many people and learned many things! They gave me lots of advice on my ongoing trip as well! all those people have already travelled though Europe!! and they are all AT LEAST trilingual! English, French + one more language of their own!!! ahhhh, I felt so useless there..... So, Morrocan cities and countries are very diff ne. People in the mountains are a lot friendlier...haaaa! Not surprising. It isnt as poor as I thought and there were lots of schools. Morroco ... read more
Berber facewrap!
The light of heaven!!!
Camel stinks




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