Marakech - Mostly just a train ride.

 The main thing from this day was an over 7 hour training ride through Morocco in the hotest train car I have ever been in. It said there was air conditioning but I didn't feel any at all. It was a miserable way to spend the day. 

By the time we got to the city there wasn't time to do anything on our own other then just join the walking tour through the medina. The guide was wonderful but the day had been so rough I didn't feel really into walking and not getting to see anything on our own. 

Ended the tour with dinner together paid for by Intrepid because people had complained about the tour experience. The food was good but it felt really like forced togetherness.

Fes

 Fes was all about the old medina and shopping. This felt like the most tourist heavy stop. We practically ran through the medina then stopped to shop and repeat. The best part of the day was having dinner with friends at a pizza place and going out to the bar. Not sure that I need to visit Fes again.

Volubilis and Meknes

 The next morning we headed to the Volubilis Roman ruins which were close to Moulay Idrisis which is why we stayed there. It felt like all the other roman ruins I have visit around the world so there was something peaceful about it. This didn't feel like culture shock it just felt like stepping back in time. What this one had that the others I have visited didn't is a triumphant arch which showed how respected of a place it was in the Roman empire. Oh and lost of mosaics.

After the ruins we visited Meknes, once again on a walking tour. The part that was most interesting here was all the mosaics where Moulay Idris and his family were buried. Would have loved a little more time here to explore but it is what it is.

Moulay Idriss

A totally different vibe in this city. Smaller, older and of a different size. The B and B we stayed in was also rather unique but the food they cooked was amazing.

Chefchaouen

I truly loved the blue city I can see why do many visit. The dogs are nice the city is painted in shared of blue to help so algea growth and learning about how the community supports each other was amazing.

Tangier

We did a tour in a van spotting for groceries for a picnic in a park. Visiting where the Mediterranean sea and Atlantic ocean meet and a couple of other historic buildings. In our free time Candy and I made our way to Cafe Hafa. It was way farther then we should have gone but it was beautiful and the mint tea was amazing. Sweet and very hot. I could have day there for hours. Instead we got lost in the medina and were late to our van.

Casablanca finally

I didn't get to Casablanca on time my flight out of Paris was cancelled at the very last moment so I ended up staying there and finally got to Casablanca at about 5pm today then had a transportation mix up but am finally with my tour. I didn't get to see much of the city ok any of the city. However I did have a nice dinner of lamb couscous and got to know most of the people in the group. Tomorrow off to Tangiers and and Chefchoen (blue city).

Away I Go!

The day has finally come and I am sitting at the airport right now. First stop will be Paris with about a 6 hour layover and then on to Casablanca, Morocco.

Morocco for my birthday

 So, last year on my birthday I booked a trip to Morocco because I was feeling down. Over the last year I was really not sure if it was the right choice to make with all the dog sports I have done this year. Well, I finally decided to go and have put all the pieces together for the trip.

November 21

Flight out DELTA 8402* Departs 1:35pm for Paris

November 22

Land in Paris 8:15am

DELTA 8223 departs 3:10pm

Arrives Casablanca 6:15pm

Hotel in Casablanca

November 23

Urban Adventure: Casablanca The Medina and Beyond Tour: https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/casablanca/casablanca-the-medina-and-beyond 

Starts at 9am in front of Rick’s Cafe from the movie Casablanca (well a recreation)

Tour ends at 1pm in the center of town

Tour meeting at 6pm at the hotel for the main part of my trip.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/morocco/north-morocco-adventure-149853/tripnotes 

November 24

Tangier and Chefchaouen

November 25

Chefchaouen

November 26

Moulay Idriss 

Homestay

November 27

Volubilis

Meknes - camel burger

Fes

November 28

Fes

Shopping

November 29

Marrakech

November 30

Fly home - DELTA 7510 Departs 11:45am Marrakech

Arrives Amsterdam 3:40pm

Overnight hotel in Amsterdam and a good meal. (I have explored Amsterdam on a previous trip so good food is all I am looking for).

December 1

Fly home DELTA 143 Departs Amsterdam at 10:15am

Arrives Seattle at 11:50am