New Blog for our trip to Europe and Beyond

 Hopefully you all will be able to follow along with our adventures.  We will post when we have wifi, so there may be some gaps.  See you all when we get back in late October.

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Day Trip to Meknes and Volubilis

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 The drive out of Fez was largely through the industrial and commercial area.  Much the same in every city, except for the language of course.  We are met by Issam, our guide, in the Meknes Medina and begin our walking tour.  It's hot, probably about 28-30'C. First stop a look at the Royal Golf Course.  It is actually open to the public but out of range for most of the population at 50E for 9 holes. A visit to a mosque, one of the few open to non-muslims. The mosaics were beautiful. Next stop the market, I bought spices, what else? We visited the music museum, the old instruments were amazing. Mosaics everywhere. Saw some of the cymbals and drums yesterday in Fez Medina. The walkways are narrow. On to Volubilis, which is the best preserved archaeological site in Morocco and a UNESCO world heritage site.  It was about 31-33'C and walking around was a challenge. The mosaics are 2000 years old or more. We say goodbye to Ancient Rome and head back to Fez, where...
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Touring Casablanca

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 Our driver, Kamal, picked us up at 10 and we drove to Hassan ll Mosque, one of the most iconic landmarks of Casablanca.  Built in 1987-1993.  Thousands of engineers and artisans working 24 hours a day for the 6 years.  Many modern innovations mixed with the traditional. A very imposing structure, with striking interiors. The great hall and our guide Najat. The chandeliers are 800 kilos and made of Italian Moreno glass. The men's ablution room.  14 lotus shaped fountains run to prepare for prayer. The women's is the same with different coloured mosaic. The stone, mosaics and plaster carvings are amazing.  We drive around the bay to view the mosque from afar. The mosque is built on reclaimed land.  We continued along the Corniche to see the beach clubs, and then on to the Old Medina.  We drive by Mohammed V Square which is surrounded by government buildings and a new theatre. Our guide was not too impressed with the style of the new theatre, she fe...
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Essaouira

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