Explore the Mystical and Magical City of Marrakesh with us

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 7th  – Medina of Marrakesh and the Bahia Palace, Morocco

Vibrant blue jumps out against the earthen walls

Vibrant blue jumps out against the earthen walls

Marrakesh, the “Red City” or “City of Ochre”, is exotic and historical. It sucks you into her bosom and fills you with wonder and awe. Around every corner awaits another alleyway to explore where you can discover something else that will enchant and entertain.

Established in 1062, her rich history is everywhere, but most evident within the walls of the old fortified portion of the city, the medina. UNESCO named the old town a World Heritage sight in 1985.  Continue reading →

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Ait Ben Haddou and a 350 Mile Bus Ride to Marrakesh

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 6th ~ Visit Ait Ben Haddou, Travel to Marrakesh, Morocco

Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou

It was confirmed this morning that the road to Marrakesh is still closed due to the mud slide. What does that mean for us? Well, that translates into an EXTRA 200 miles as the only alternative route takes us the long way around. We expect around a 12 hour day on the bus to travel 350 miles. Some of the route will be through small villages, some involves negotiating traffic and some of the time over winding roads through the Atlas Mountains.  Continue reading →

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Flash Flood Warnings in the Desert

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 5th ~ Explore Desert & Todra Gorge, Overland to Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco

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Waking up at dawn in our tent camp in the Sahara Desert

How wonderful it was to wake up early in the desert. It was still sprinkling, but much lighter than the downpour we heard pounding on the roof of the tent during the night. Lucky for us, the tent did not leak and we had a good nights sleep.  Continue reading →

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Magic Carpet Ride in the Sahara Desert

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 4th – Rissani and a Sahara Desert Tent Camp 

Tent camp where we spent the night in the Sahara Desert

Tent camp where we spent the night in the Sahara Desert

This morning, we explore the small city of Rissani on the edge of the Sahara Desert.  Continue reading →

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MOROCCO ~ Crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 3rd – Cross Middle Atlas Mountains, Drive to Erfoud

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Crossing the Mid Atlas Mountains

Today is a full day on the bus as we drive into and over the Middle Atlas Mountains.

The poppies are in bloom

The red poppies are in bloom

Continue reading →

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Fez – Try not to get lost in the medina

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 2nd ~ The Medina of Fez

Inside the medina in Fez

Inside the medina in Fez

In 2007 we took a ferry from Spain and spent a whirlwind day in Tangiers. I had been enchanted by the colorful bazar marketplace. Having an opportunity to return to Morocco and have an entire day to wander the narrow streets of the medina was an exciting prospect.

The medina of Fez is the world’s largest car-free urban area. There are no motorized vehicles allowed inside and heavy items are transported via horse, donkey or mule. The city has been called the “Mecca of the West” and the “Athens of Africa”.  Continue reading →

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On the way to Fez and an evening fit for a princess!

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

May 1st ~ Explore Volubilis & Meknes, Overland to Fez

Ruins at Volubilis

Ruins at Volubilis

After breakfast, we drive inland toward Fez. We know ahead of time that it is going to be a long day on the road. One of the many benefits of traveling with a small group, is that there are plenty of extra seats on the bus which allows us to spread out and be comfortable.

Our morning bathroom stop gave me a “first time” experience. Several tour busses had arrived at the large petrol station (aka coffee shop/convenience store) at the same time. As seems to be typical, the line for the lady’s room was winding down the hallway. I was nearing the entrance when a large, stern looking grandma type grabbed me by the arm and quite authoritatively wrestled me inside the mens room, motioning for several of the other ladies in line to follow her.  Continue reading →

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Rabat, Morocco ~ What do Eels, Cats and Hard Boiled Eggs Have in Common?

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Saturday, April 30th ~ Rabat, Morocco

Atlantic Ocean ~ Rabat, Morocco

Atlantic Ocean ~ Rabat, Morocco

Rabat, the Moroccan capital was ranked at second place by CNN in its “Top Travel Destinations of 2013. It is an Atlantic Ocean port city located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River.

After breakfast, we loaded onto our pristine motor coach for a tour of the capital. I’m a very happy camper as the windows were spotlessly clean which makes shooting pictures along the way so much nicer. It was a Chamber of Commerce type of day – bright blue skies with a few puffy white clouds and temperature in the 70’s.  Continue reading →

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Morocco ~ Getting there

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Thursday, April 29th ~ Rabat, Morocco

Beautiful gardens at Villa Mandarine

Beautiful gardens at Villa Mandarine

We took our time getting here which was nice. A long flight from LAX to London where we were surprised to have someone meet us as we exited the airplane and personally escort us through the fast track lane for in-transit and security checkpoint. It made the transfer so smooth. Still not sure how or why we were met, but it sure was fun feeling like a VIP.  Continue reading →

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Morocco – our next destination

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Please join us on our next adventure as we head off to Africa to explore the country of Morocco, or more accurately named “The Kingdom of Morocco”.

The route we will be taking on our journey around Morocco

The route we will be taking on our journey around Morocco

We will explore Volubilis, which was once an outpost of the Roman Empire, join a Fez family for a home-cooked meal, meet the women of the Argan Oil Company to learn how they extract that sought after oil from this nut.  Continue reading →

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