An Unplanned Year

February 5th – February 28th

1. Sahara Desert

Specifically, riding a camel in the Sahara Desert. Fortunate enough to have an afternoon and a morning ride. The beauty of the sand dunes, the shapes and patterns made by sand and wind, the colour!

A bucket list experience to see the Sahara Desert, let alone ride a camel there!

2. Chefchaouen

The blue town on the hill was a delight! A rabbit warren of streets, the swollen river and the clouds low over the mountains behind the town.

3. Atlas Mountains

Mountains are just cool. They’re not the Himalyays, they’re not the Andes, but they’re still impressive. And they’re long!

4. The variety of Morocco

We are so pleased we chose the Morocco in depth tour that gave us the opportunity to see so many different facets of Morocco. Cities, deserts, mountains, villages, Gorges, ancient medina, seaside ports big and small. We feel fortunate and appreciative of every aspect of Morocco that we have experienced.

5. Calls to prayer

Hearing the call to prayer is novel for us. Hearing the multiple calls to prayer simultaneously, from multiple minarets in cities is a reminder you’re in a different country even when you’re in bed. The cacophony of calls we heard in Tangier stand out.

6. Hammam

Let’s face it, water is life. It is rejuvenating, refreshing and cleansing. Being scrubbed and then hosed down or having buckets of water thrown over you leaves you feeling clean and relaxed. Definitely preferred the gentle one though!

7. Ceramics

The workmanship and skill that goes into making an individual mosaic is amazing. The accuracy of the tile cutters, pattern makers and tile layers The stones are laid upside down before being cemented in, which just adds to the complexity.

8. Volubilis

Ancient Roman ruins in the middle of Morocco was somehow surprising. The enormity of the site is impressive.

9. Medina

Medina are like hidden worlds. Some, like Tangier and Chefchaouen are a bit less intimidating than Fes which is HUGE. We loved staying in riads in Medina, the beauty hidden behind plain walls was fascinating.

10. People

As is often the case, the people you meet on holidays are a highlight. Our guides Hassan and his trainee Farouk shared their knowledge and love of Morocco with us and were always ready with insights, a joke or smile. And our tour mates Ally, Tony, Molly, Ken, Jane and Nigel made each day and meal enjoyable also.

11. Berber & Amazigh music

We loved listening to Berber and Amazigh music during our drives and especially at the desert camp. Sarah loved playing the qarkabeb along with Farouk and the Berber musicians at the Sahara camp, so much so she bought a pair.

12. Cannelloni

What? Cannelloni? I hear you say.

In Tangier, after several weeks of delicious tagine, briouartes, pastilla and  Moroccan cuisine and a few days of Ramadan break fast for dinner, we found a rooftop restaurant that served THE most amazing cannelloni.

OMG 🥰